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