Throw out the manual

Today's Washington Post reports that AG Ashcroft's Justice Department has stepped up investigations of voter registration efforts in swing states. But check out this part of the story:

"A criminal investigation by armed, badged federal agents runs the obvious risk of chilling legitimate voting and campaign activities," the department's manual on elections crime says. "Federal prosecutors and investigators should be extremely careful to not conduct overt investigations during the pre-election period or while the election is underway."

Apparently, the AG hasn't read this manual.