Republicans wallow in mud-slinging

Long time drug policy reform supporter George Soros is often the target of the conservatives' bile, particularly in this election year since he has come out strongly against the Bush administration. In a typical response to his political activities, House Speaker Dennis Hastert accused him of being funded by drug cartels or worse. This of course completely false and Soros has responded with this letter saying in part,

This past Sunday on national television, you suggested that I might be a criminal simply because I have exercised my First Amendment rights to dissent from the policies of the Bush administration.

I am playing a role in this election because I share the concerns of many Americans and believe President Bush is leading our nation in a ruinous direction on both economic and foreign policy.

Talking Points Memo notes that Hastert has been repeating this slander all over the halls of Congress. As Soros further states, Hastert should be ashamed.
"For the Speaker of the House of Representatives, even in the midst of an election season, to descend to a level of political discourse where innuendo and slander replace reason, truth and argument is unacceptable. ... "
[Link via Drug WarRant]