Eli, As I wrote earlier: "I think they are obnoxious, misguided, and committing a Chillul Hashem by issuing that pronouncement. But they probably aren't violating the tax rules." The "organization listed for identification purposes only" is probably enough to keep them out of trouble with the IRS as long as none of the organizations paid to disseminate this. A very experienced rabbi once told me that just because rabbis CAN endorse candidates for office does not mean that they SHOULD.

I think they are obnoxious, misguided, and committing a Chillul Hashem by issuing that pronouncement. But they probably aren't violating the tax rules. See Revenue Ruling 2007-41, 2007-25 I.R.B. 1421 (06/18/2007). Full text is available at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rr-07-41.pdf. Here are the most relevant portions: Situation 3. President A is the Chief Executive Officer of Hospital J, a section 501(c)(3) organization, and is well known in the community. With the permission of five prominent healthcare industry leaders, including President A, who have personally endorsed Candidate T, Candidate T publishes a full page ad in the local newspaper listing the names of the five leaders. President A is identified in the ad as the CEO of Hospital J. The ad states, “Titles and affiliations of each individual are provided for identification purposes only.” The ad is paid for by Candidate T’s campaign committee. Because the ad was not paid for by Hospital J, the ad is not otherwise in an official publication of Hospital J, and the endorsement is made by President A in a personal capacity, the ad does not constitute campaign intervention by Hospital J. .... Situation 5. Minister C is the minister of Church L, a section 501(c)(3) organization and Minister C is well known in the community. Three weeks before the election, he attends a press conference at Candidate V’s campaign headquarters and states that Candidate V should be reelected. Minister C does not say he is speaking on behalf of Church L. His endorsement is reported on the front page of the local newspaper and he is identified in the article as the minister of Church L. Because Minister C did not make the endorsement at an official church function, in an official church publication or otherwise use the church's assets, and did not state that he was speaking as a representative of Church L, his actions do not constitute campaign intervention by Church L.

I received the same email that Shmarya did. So did approximately 200 other people, including several people whose names would be instantly recognizable to most of the people who read this blog.