The Intimidation Game: How the Left Is Silencing Free Speech

According to Strassel, a Wall Street Journal columnist and member of the newspaper’s editorial board, the Democratic Party and liberals are increasingly focused on silencing political opposition. Strassel collects disturbing stories of right-of-center nonprofits, donors, and trade associations targeted for political reasons. Recounting what appears to be a shocking, concerted Internal Revenue Service drive against nonprofit conservative advocacy groups, Strassel concludes that IRS officials, zeroing in on the Tea Party insurgency, plotted to keep shady activities secret and then lied to Congress without penalty. She also documents tactics and strategies used to demonize Republican donors Charles and David Koch. Strassel seesaws confusingly between diverse political intimidation campaigns and specific election spending disputes around the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. She backs up her tales with high-minded election-finance reform proposals. Though often sidetracked by Washington-insider fine points, Strassel draws a timely, convincing, and alarming picture of liberal governance and a Democratic machine that’s eager to bully resistant citizens. Agent: Jay Mandel, William Morris Endeavor. (June)