By their own admissionn, liberal political operatives seek to chill Republican speech by sending out thousands of letters warning donors of the potential repurcussion of giving soft-money to 527-like groups.

Nearly 10,000 of the biggest donors to Republican candidates and causes across the country will probably receive a foreboding "warning" letter in the mail next week. The letter is an opening shot across the bow from an unusual new outside political group on the left that is poised to engage in hardball tactics to prevent similar groups on the right from getting off the ground this fall.

Led by Tom Matzzie, a liberal political operative who has been involved with some prominent left-wing efforts in recent years, the newly formed nonprofit group, Accountable America, is planning to confront donors to conservative groups, hoping to create a chilling effect that will dry up contributions.

The group is even offering a $100,000 award if a violation of the FEC laws are uncovered. Can you imagine the degree of media scrutiny any conservative group, no matter how fringe, would receive if it confessed to the same ambition?