[mware]

Still haven’t heard about direct verdict.

[Political Junkie Too]

I'd be surprised if Merchan dismisses the case, but he must know what his fellow travelers are saying about it. Even the Democrats are beginning to think that dismissing it is better for them in the long run for public opinion.

It should be obvious to everyone that "influencing an election" is the definition of politics. Whatever "illegally" influencing is, it's been treated as a misdemeanor against the campaign, not the candidate, and assessed a fine. Usually, it meant illegal campaign donations and not illegal campaign expenditures. Sometimes, it was things like buying votes with cigarettes or other offers.

In fact, there was never a definition of "illegal" campaign ads if they told lies or factual misrepresentations about the opposing candidate. Operations Research (digging up dirt on opponents) was never an attempt to illegally influence an election, nor was obscuring or countering negative stories about one's own campaign.

It's only now that Bragg in Manhattan is trying to criminalize running for office against Democrats.

-PJ