Prof. Painter Quoted in Politico on Hatch Act

Professor Richard Painter was quoted in an article in Politico on whether comments made by the White House Press Secretary in an official briefing about a Mitt Romney campaign advertisement violated the Hatch Act, which bars partisan political activity by government officials. Painter, who was the chief White House ethics lawyer for President Bush, noted with respect to all White House staff that "It's their obligation to make it clear whether they're speaking in their official capacity as White House staff members, as assistants to the president, or not. If they are in their official capacity, they really can't get into talking about campaign ads or events."