Technically known as independent expenditure-only committees Super PACs may raise unlimited sums of...
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Super PACsPolitical Action
Committees
M r. G i e s l e rA m e r i c a n H i s t o r y
Technically known as independent expenditure-only committees
Super PACs may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations,
unions, associations and individuals, then spend unlimited sums to
overtly advocate for or against political candidates.
Super PACs must, however, report their donors to the Federal
Election Commission on a monthly or quarterly basis
Unlike traditional PACs, Super PACs are prohibited from donating
money directly to political candidates.
Washington’s Dirty Little Secret
Presidential candidates may accept contributions of $2,500 from individuals and
$5,000 from political action committees.
Individual supporters long have been free to spend more — as much as they
wished — as long as they did not coordinate with campaigns.
TTYN: Recall the name of the court ruling by the Supreme Court that made
SuperPACs possible?
The the Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United, combined with lower court
decisions, has opened up new horizons for independent expenditures.
Corporations and labor unions, as well as wealthy individuals, are now free to
spend unlimited amounts, and these contributions can be bundled by a political
action committee.
“Your Voice, Your Vote” or “Your Money, Your Vote”
“Political strategists, Republicans and Democrats alike, are
bulldozing through that opening, creating parallel campaign structures
without the annoyance of contribution limits.”
Candidate-specific super PACs tend to be run by former staff of the
candidate.
Money usually comes from the candidate’s top supporters.
With anodyne names and no candidate fingerprints, the PACs can do
the dirty work without the candidate having to take responsibility.
shhhh it’s a secret
Deniability
A Political Action Conference is a committee formed by business, labor, or other
special-interest groups to raise money and make contributions to the campaigns of
political candidates whom they support.
The 2010 election marks the rise of a new political committee, dubbed
“super PACs,” and officially known as “independent-expenditure only
committees,” which can raise unlimited sums from corporations, unions and other
groups, as well as wealthy individuals. The super PACs were made possible by two
court rulings, including one earlier in 2010 by the Supreme Court, that lifted many
spending and contribution limits. The groups can also mount the kind of direct
attacks on candidates that were not allowed in the past. Super PACs are not allowed
to coordinate directly with candidates or political parties and must disclose their
donors.
PAC or SuperPAC
Small Group Activity
Brainstorm:
Using your prior knowledge, try to identify as many different types of
SuperPACs as possible. In other words, think about causes, interest
groups, and other issues that would want to have their message heard,
have the will to lobby for financial support, and the determination to
influence an election.
Group Supports/Opposes IndependentExpenditures Viewpoint Total Raised
Restore Our Future supports Romney $7,795,104 Conservative $12,231,700
Winning Our Future supports Gingrich $4,204,685 Conservative $0
Make Us Great Again supports Perry $3,793,524 Conservative $0
Our Destiny PAC supports Huntsman $2,453,204 Conservative $0
Endorse Liberty supports Paul $1,165,542 Conservative $0
House Majority PAC $1,105,843 Liberal $2,110,000
American Crossroads $1,064,223 Conservative $6,679,887
Red, White and Blue supports Santorum $727,200 Conservative $0
Club for Growth Action $574,102 Conservative $1,344,592
9-9-9 FUND supports Cain $468,445 Conservative $0
Citizens for a Working America
PACsupports Romney $455,000 Conservative $858
Majority PAC $450,559 Liberal $1,082,407
Priorities USA Action supports Obama $321,229 Liberal $3,161,535
To each candidate or
candidate committee per
election
To national party
committee per calendar year
To state, district & local
party committee per calendar year
To any other political
committee per calendar year
Special Limits
Individualmay give
$2,500* $30,800* $10,000(combined
limit)
$5,000 $117,000 overall biennial
limit:
$46,200 to all
candidates
$70,800 to all PACs and
parties
National Party Committeemay give
$5,000 No limit No limit $5,000 $43,100*to Senate
candidate per campaign
State, District & LocalParty
Committeemay give
$5,000(combined limit)
No limit No limit $5,000(combined
limit)
No limit
PAC(multicandidate)
may give
$5,000 $15,000 $5,000(combined
limit)
$5,000 No limit
PAC(not
multicandidate)may give
$2,500* $30,800* $10,000(combined
limit)
$5,000 No limit
Authorized Campaign
Committee may give
$2,000 No limit No limit $5,000 No limit
How it works: The Raw Truth
Scenario: I am a “filthy-rich “ casino owner
I hate everything there is about Mitt Romney
I fear his economic polices will have an adverse effect on my business
More importantly, as a “true” conservative, I am convinced that Romeny does not
share my values and hope for America
Did I mention that I am “filthy-rich”??
I believe that I politically and socially align with Newt Gingrich
I can either organize my very-own SuperPAC or contribute to an existing PAC that
supports Gingrich or opposes Romney
I decide to drop 5M into a PAC, with its sole purpose of - to derail, humiliate, and
equally important, shift the electoral outcome of an presidential nomination process.
Homework
In short-answer format, answer the following questions
Would the winning candidate feel beholden or indebted to a generous contributor?
Do you believe their is a risk for political corruption? Please explain. Possible solutions?
Do you see any obvious problems continuing with the status quo (SuperPACs)? Please defend your answer
Are there any benefits from SuperPACs? Please supports your decision