Several suggested that Democratic party leader who created the fake Tea Party candidates, or helped facilitate the fraud, should have gone to jail or prison.

Instead of jail, he was given probation, which is fair. Why? So many cases involving first-time crimes end up with probation, a special case should be made because this crime happens to be politically motivated. The crime still embarrasses the party. The crime could ruin the accused, who pleaded no contest.

But in court, it should always be fair. If a first-time fraud case is generally something that brings probation, then that should stay the same. Even when politics is involved.