Further Restricted federal employees may not, for example:
campaign for or against a candidate or slate of candidates in partisan elections
make campaign speeches
collect contributions or sell tickets to political fund raising functions
distribute campaign material in partisan elections
organize or manage political rallies or meetings
hold office in political clubs or parties
circulate nominating petitions
work to register voters for partisan voter registration drives
host a political fundraiser
invite anyone to a political fundraiser
accept or receive a donation or contribution for a partisan political party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan political group
use an official title or position while engaged in political activity
supervisory employees may not invite subordinate employees to political events or otherwise suggest to the subordinate that he or she attend the political event or undertake any partisan political activity
Additionally, while on duty and/or in any federal room or building, Further Restricted federal employees may not, for example:
wear partisan political buttons, t-shirts or other items
make political contributions to a partisan political party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan political group
post a comment to a blog that advocates for or against a partisan political party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan political group
use any e-mail account to distribute, send or forward content that advocates for or against a partisan political party, candidate for partisan political office, or partisan political group
Since the audience members at Obama’s town hall meetings are all obviously folks who agree with him, I would consider those events political events. There don’t ever seem to be any conservatives or Republicans present at the town halls.
And making campaign speeches for the likes of Arlan Specter and others appear to be at odds with the restrictions of federal employees. Isn’t the President of the United States a federal employee?