What Just Happened In Wisconsin?

FILE - In this Feb. 17, 2011 file photo, Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker talks to the media at the State Capitol in Madison, Wis. The effort to recall the controversial Walker is expected to begin Tuesday, Nov... FILE - In this Feb. 17, 2011 file photo, Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker talks to the media at the State Capitol in Madison, Wis. The effort to recall the controversial Walker is expected to begin Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011, although his opponents have yet to come up with a candidate to replace him. (AP Photo/Andy Manis, File) MORE LESS
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Still trying to piece together the full implications of this important federal judge’s ruling in Wisconsin that commands prosecutors to stop their investigation of Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign finances from the 2012 recall election.

The judge has adopted the maximal position that political contributions are free speech and used that as the basis to shut down an ongoing criminal probe. He even goes so far as to praise the targets of the probe for their cleverness in finding campaign finance loopholes:

“The plaintiffs have found a way to circumvent campaign finance laws, and that circumvention should not and cannot be condemned or restricted,” Randa wrote. “Instead, it should be recognized as promoting political speech, an activity that is ‘ingrained in our culture.'”

More on the big legal win for Walker and conservative outside groups here.

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