Pelosi Blames IRS Scandal on Citizens United

If only we didn't have these nasty grassroots groups mucking up politics

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's two-paragraph statement on allegations that the IRS targeted tea party organizations for extra review could have come from any concerned lawmaker Monday.

But a single sentence tying the IRS' alleged misconduct with a controversial Supreme Court decision signaled that Democratic leaders see an opening to restart the debate over the nation's campaign finance system.

"We must overturn Citizens United, which has exacerbated the challenges posed by some of these so-called 'social welfare' organizations," the California Democrat said.

One of many outcomes of the 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ruling is that partisan groups have in huge numbers taken advantage of new opportunities to register as tax-exempt "social welfare" organizations to, albeit indirectly, raise money for their political candidates and causes.