How come the Hatch Act doesn't apply to Karl Rove?

[DoYouEverWonder]

He is a federal employee and his office is located in the White House. Since he is Bush's main political consultant and strategist, doesn't making his job a federally funded position, put him in violation of this act? Not to mention the fact that he uses his position to use official authority and influence to interfere with elections, such has calling all the networks on election night to tell them who to call certain states for Bush? Doesn't Rove engage in political activity while on duty and from a government office? Did W issue some sort of executive order to exclude Rove or is it just that no one has the balls to raise the issue?


Hatch Act for Federal Employees

The Hatch Act restricts the political activity of executive branch employees of the federal government, District of Columbia government and some state and local employees who work in connection with federally funded programs. In 1993, Congress passed legislation that significantly amended the Hatch Act as it applies to federal and D.C. employees (5 U.S.C. §§ 7321-7326). (These amendments did not change the provisions that apply to state and local employees. 5 U.S.C. §§ 1501- 1508.) Under the amendments most federal and D.C. employees are now permitted to take an active part in political management and political campaigns. A small group of federal employees are subject to greater restrictions and continue to be prohibited from engaging in partisan political management and partisan political campaigns.


Permitted/Prohibited Activities for Employees Who May Participate in Partisan Political Activity

These federal and D.C. employees may-

* be candidates for public office in nonpartisan elections
* register and vote as they choose
* assist in voter registration drives
* express opinions about candidates and issues
* contribute money to political organizations
* attend political fund raising functions
* attend and be active at political rallies and meetings
* join and be an active member of a political party or club
* sign nominating petitions
* campaign for or against referendum questions, constitutional amendments, municipal ordinances
* campaign for or against candidates in partisan elections
* make campaign speeches for candidates in partisan elections
* distribute campaign literature in partisan elections
* hold office in political clubs or parties

These federal and D.C. employees may not-

* use official authority or influence to interfere with an election
* solicit or discourage political activity of anyone with business before their agency
* solicit or receive political contributions (may be done in certain limited situations by federal labor or other employee organizations)
* be candidates for public office in partisan elections
* engage in political activity while:
* on duty
* in a government office
* wearing an official uniform
* using a government vehicle
* wear partisan political buttons on duty


http://www.osc.gov/ha_fed.htm