When Tweeting Runs Afoul of Rules Governing Individuals or Organizations

Roll Call has this article today about how a number of Representatives tweeted, then later deleted those posts, about presumptive Republican Nominee Mitt Romney's pick of Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate.

When news broke that Rep. Paul Ryan (Wis.) had been tapped as presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney's running mate, many of his colleagues on Capitol Hill turned to Twitter to share their reactions. In the process, they may have unwittingly violated House and Senate rules that prohibit Members from "campaigning" via tweets.

It wasn't just GOP members that tweeted, then deleted.  Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), ranking member on the Budget Committee to Ryan's chairman also tweeted about the pick then later deleted his thoughts.

The same rules could apply to orgainizations that are tax exempt and who also use Twitter or Facebook.  For instance, VSSA is very careful when sharing information via social media, not to include our Crush'n Clays accounts (currrently VSSA only uses Facebook for it's 501 (c)3 charity event) to not share politically related items.

Roll Call notes that the House Franking Commission is expected to roll out a new franking manual later this year that could clarify proper Twitter usage.