The Washington Examiner has repeatedly argued in this space that political expression and advocacy, regardless of who is paying for it, is what the First Amendment exists to protect. We view campaign finance restrictions with suspicion, for they are intended by people in office to prevent the dissemination of facts and opinions that might threaten their power and privilege.

If you hear, or sometimes say, that dark money and anonymous opinion campaigns will cause the sky to fall, let us remind you that America survived publication of the “Federalist Papers,” a propaganda campaign that perfectly fits that description.