Yesterday, Rep. Van Hollen launched Phase II of the White House’s plan to ferret out and punish political foes by announcing that he has hired a law firm to challenge Federal Election Commission regulations issued many years ago. Rep. Van Hollen is attacking FEC regulations for – surprise – not forcing participants in the political process to disclose their political leanings to the government and the public.

This is the latest in a clearly coordinated and desperate attempt by the White House and House Democrats to resurrect the corpse of the DISCLOSE Act. A mere three days ago, it was revealed that the President intends to impose by executive fiat what amounts to a political litmus test for companies seeking government contracts.

When the White House and House Democrats say “we need more transparency through political disclosure,” what they mean is, “we need better tools to find out who disagrees with us politically so that we can take steps to intimidate them and silence their voices before 2012.”  The President’s draft Executive Order and Rep. Van Hollen’s actions against the FEC are different tactics with a common goal: completing a witch hunt by the next election.