When the effort to reform campaign financing was underway.

It would weaken Republicans’ ability to freely speak to voters. It would not take the money out of politics, it would merely redirect it — and all that has happened.

Now there’s another effort underway aimed at restricting campaign speech. It’s the ad produced by the North Carolina Republican Party questioning the judgment of two Democrats running for governor who support Obama.

The ad uses clips of Obama pastor Jeremiah Wright to illustrate the extreme liberalism of Democrats. This has been deemed too “inflammatory” by two North Carolina Drive-By TV stations in Raleigh and Charlotte.

Senator McCain, of course, has denounced the ad — and a few irresponsible s Republicans, apparently trying to curry favor, have joined the condemnation.

Now, for over 40 years, conservatives have been accused of horrible things: starving kids, hurting the elderly, racism, sexism — you name it.

These liberal themes are part of the Media narrative. Liberal groups run ads all season long, always on the attack.

Yet whenever Republicans raise a sharp, truthful issue about Democrats and liberals, there is an uproar — especially if Democrats can haul out the race card.

Voters have a right to know who their candidates are, and with whom they associate; it leads to knowing their character.

What should be regarded as “inflammatory” is the effort to suppress the political speech of those who merely point out the truth.