Which of the following forms of speech receives the greatest level of First Amendment protection?

A) slander
B) obscenity
C) libel
D) political speech that stops short of inciting violence

Political speech that stops short of inciting violence receives the greatest level of First Amendment protection. This is because political speech is considered to be at the core of the First Amendment and is essential to the functioning of a democracy. However, speech that incites violence or poses a clear and present danger to public safety may be restricted by the government. Slander and libel are forms of false and defamatory speech that are not protected by the First Amendment, while obscenity is a form of speech that has limited protection.