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Colbert Super PAC

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Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow
Formation2011
PurposePolitical action committee
President
Stephen Colbert
WebsiteColbertSuperPAC.com

Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow[1] (better known as the Colbert Super PAC) is a United States political action committee (PAC) established by Stephen Colbert, who portrays a conservative political pundit on the television series The Colbert Report. As a super PAC the organization can raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions and other groups, as well as wealthy individuals.[2][3] Speaking in character, Colbert said the money will be raised not only for political ads, but also "normal administrative expenses, including but not limited to, luxury hotel stays, private jet travel, and PAC mementos from Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus."[4]

Colbert Super PAC reported raising over $1.02 million in their January 2012 filing with the Federal Election Commission.[5] Colbert has been credited with increasing awareness of Super PACs through his late night television show.[6]

Founding

Colbert filed a request with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) asking for a media exemption for coverage of his then-prospective super PAC on a May 2011 episode of The Colbert Report.[7][8] The FEC voted 5-1 to grant The Colbert Report a limited media exemption during a June 2011 public meeting.[9] Following the hearing, Colbert formally filed paperwork for the creation of his super PAC with the FEC secretary.[10]

Colbert Super PAC's treasurer, Salvatore Purpura, resigned on August 11, 2011 to work as campaign treasurer for Rick Perry. Shauna Polk took over treasurer duties for Colbert's PAC.[11]

On September 29, Colbert consulted his lawyer and they set up his own 501(c)(4) organization, similar to American Crossroads.[12] Colbert serves as president, secretary, and treasurer of his organization and its stated purpose is to educate the public.[12] However, the organization may legally donate to his Super PAC, lobby for legislation, and participate in political campaigns and elections, as long as campaigning is not the organization's primary purpose. Colbert's organization may legally accept unlimited funds which may be donated by anonymous donors. Since the Federal Election Commission doesn't require full disclosure, Colbert likens his 501 (c)(4) to a "Campaign finance glory hole": "You stick your money in the hole, the other person accepts your donation, and because it's happening anonymously, no one feels dirty!" Colbert is currently looking for a billionaire donor, or in the language of Colbert, a "sugar daddy."[13]

Colbert initially named his Delaware corporation and 501(c)(4) organization Anonymous Shell Corporation,[14] however, according to the Delaware Secretary of State's Office the official name was changed to "Colbert Super PAC SHH Institute" on the same day it was filed. According to experts, Colbert's actions are perfectly legal and shine a light on how the financing of elections has dramatically changed since the 2010 Supreme Court ruling that corporations have free-speech rights to spend unlimited amounts of money in political advertising to elect or defeat candidates for office.[12][14]

Funds

In an October 2011 email to his supporters Colbert explained how his 501(c)(4) can be used to legally launder anonymous donations to his Super PAC, "Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow."

As you know, when we began Colbert Super PAC, we had a simple dream; to use the Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling to fashion a massive money cannon that would make all those who seek the White House quake with fear and beg our allegiance...in strict accordance with federal election law.
And you’ve responded generously; giving your (or, possibly, your parents') hard-earned money in record numbers. And although we value those donations, we were somewhat surprised to note that none of them ended in "-illion.
That is why I formed the Colbert Super PAC S.H.H., a 501(c)(4), to help lure the big donors. As anybody who thumbs through the tax code on the toilet knows, a 501(c)(4) organization is a nonprofit that can take unlimited donations and never has to report the donors. This should be especially helpful considering that establishing this new 501(c)(4) has quadrupled our parentheses budget.
Already, we have gotten a massive donation from [NAME WITHHELD], a kind and [ADJECTIVE WITHHELD] person who only wants to [OBJECTIVE WITHHELD].”[15]

In a January 31, 2012 FEC filing, the Super PAC reported raising over $219,000, making a grand total of $1.02 million raised. The filing also listed donors who gave more than $200 to the Super PAC, including Lieutenant Governor of California Gavin Newsom ($500), actor Bradley Whitford ($250), and actress Laura San Giacomo ($250). In a press release Colbert said, “We raised it on my show and used it to materially influence the elections — in full accordance with the law. It’s the way our founding fathers would have wanted it, if they had founded corporations instead of just a country.”[5] Colbert Super PAC reported raising over $33,000 in February 2012, with approximately $780,000 cash on hand.[16]

Colbert Super PAC has raised more money in the state of Texas than Restore Our Future, the super PAC supporting Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign.[17]

Ad campaigns

On August 10, 2011, the first ad by the Super PAC, titled "Episode IV: A New Hope," ran in Iowa, telling Iowans to write-in "Rick Parry" instead of Rick Perry at the Ames Straw Poll.[18][19][20] The following day the second ad ("Behind the Green Corn") was run.[21][22] Two Iowa television stations ran the ads; however, WOI-TV told Colbert that they would not run the ads because they considered them confusing to viewers.[23]

In October 2011, the Super PAC released its third ad, titled "Foul Balls," concerning the 2011 NBA lockout.[4] It also released a fourth ad, also related to the NBA lockout, titled "Ball Gags."

Run for "President of the United States of South Carolina"

During the January 12, 2012 episode of The Colbert Report, Colbert announced his plans to run for "President of the United States of South Carolina." Colbert's lawyer, Trevor Potter, made it clear that it is illegal for Colbert to run for president while active in his Super PAC (though it would be perfectly legal for him to "volunteer" on its behalf). Colbert then signed over control of his Super PAC to Jon Stewart (President pro tempore), and announced that the organization would now be referred to as "The Definitely Not Coordinating With Stephen Colbert Super PAC."[24] Immediately after this legal block was removed, Colbert announced his decision to form an exploratory committee for his run for "President of the United States of South Carolina".[25] Super PACs are not allowed to coordinate directly with candidates or political parties since they are "independent"; however, a candidate may talk to his super PAC through the media and the super PAC can listen, just like everybody else.[26] In a press release, the new PAC president, Jon Stewart, denied that he and Colbert would secretly coordinate their efforts: "Stephen and I have in no way have worked out a series of Morse-code blinks to convey information with each other on our respective shows."[27]

During the run-up to the South Carolina primary, the super PAC released an "over the top negative ad" attacking Mitt Romney[5] ("If Mitt Romney really believes 'corporations are people, my friend' then Mitt Romney is a serial killer")[28] and another which first attacked Stephen Colbert and then attacked the Super PAC itself. Both urged South Carolinians to vote for Herman Cain (a former candidate who had suspended his campaign but whose name still appeared on the primary ballot), whom Colbert was using as a proxy as it was too late to get on the ballot himself.[29]

A January 19 poll showed that if Colbert were to run for "president of the United States of South Carolina," 18% said they were at least "kinda somewhat likely" to cast their ballot for Colbert, including 4% who were very likely, 7% who were somewhat likely, and 7% who were "kinda somewhat likely." However, 13% reported they were not too likely, 56% say they were not likely at all, 8% didn't know enough about him, and 4% a were unsure. Poll results showed that 52% of the potential Republican primary electorate in South Carolina were aware that Stephen Colbert was exploring a potential candidacy for president of the United States of South Carolina, while 48% were unaware or unsure. 21% of the potential Republican primary electorate reported they would be more likely to vote for former candidate Herman Cain if that vote served as encouragement for Colbert, while 62% would be less likely to cast their ballot for Cain, and 9% were unsure.[30] On January 21, the "Cain/Colbert" combo received over 6,000 votes, a fifth-place finish.[31]

College campus chapters

Colbert announced that the Colbert Super PAC would come to college campuses, with the first college chapter of Colbert Super PAC recognized at the University of Texas at Austin.[32]

References

  1. ^ Ryan J. Reilly (2011-07-01). "Colbert's Super PAC Not Actually Called Colbert Super PAC". TPMMuckraker. Talking Points Memo. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  2. ^ "Outside Spending". Center for Responsive Politics.
  3. ^ "Rick Perry Super PACs Raise Issues of Coordination, Collusion". Huffingtonpost.com. 2011-08-13. Retrieved 2011-08-16.
  4. ^ a b Khan, Huma (September 8, 2010). "Stephen Colbert's Super PAC Takes on the NBA — ABC News". Abcnews.go.com. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  5. ^ a b c "Stephen Colbert’s Super PAC has raised over $1 million, according to filing with FEC" (January 31, 2012). Associated Press.
  6. ^ Super-PAC craze sweeps the nation - The Hill's Ballot Box
  7. ^ Knott, Alex (May 12, 2011). "Stephen Colbert Files FEC Request for Colbert PAC (VIDEO)". Roll Call.
  8. ^ Vogel, Kenneth P. (May 13, 2011). "Stephen Colbert at the FEC? Really". Politico.
  9. ^ Bauerly, Cynthia L. (June 30, 2011). "Advisory Opinion" (PDF) (Press release). Federal Election Commission. Retrieved 2011-10-19.
  10. ^ Shear, Michael (2011-06-30). "Colbert Gets Permission to Form Super-PAC". New York Times. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  11. ^ Levinthal, Dave (August 16, 2011). "Stephen Colbert loses treasurer to Rick Perry". Politico. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  12. ^ a b c "Colbert takes satirical swipe at disclosure laws to create corporation in Del". Delaware Online. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
  13. ^ "Stephen Colbert Plays 'The Donating Game' With Kevin Kline To Find Billionaire Donor (VIDEO)". Huffingtonpost.com. September 30, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  14. ^ a b Sink, Justin (2011-09-30). "Colbert creates shell corporation to lampoon Karl Rove's groups — The Hill's Video". The Hill. Capitol Hill Publishing Corp.
  15. ^ Armed with his Delaware-based ‘Anonymous Shell Corporation,’ Colbert seeks ‘massive’ donations | Dialogue Delaware
  16. ^ Stephen Colbert super PAC fundraising falls flat - POLITICO.com
  17. ^ Stephen Colbert Super PAC has more Texas donors than Mitt Romney’s | Texas on the Potomac | a Chron.com blog
  18. ^ Sands, Geneva (2011-08-10). "VIDEO: Colbert launches first super PAC ad — The Hill's Blog Briefing Room". Thehill.com. Retrieved 2011-08-16.
  19. ^ "Colbert Sends Message to pro-Rick Perry PACs — Back Off! - The Note". ABCNews.com. 2011-08-09. Retrieved 2011-08-16.
  20. ^ "Stephen Colbert | Rick Parry | Ames Straw Poll". The Daily Caller. 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2011-08-16.
  21. ^ "Colbert SuperPAC's Debut Vote for 'Rick Parry' Ads". Colbertnewshub.com. 2011-08-12. Retrieved 2011-08-16.
  22. ^ "Colbert's SuperPAC releases another corny ad | The Examiner | Yeas & Nays". Washington Examiner. Retrieved 2011-08-16.
  23. ^ POSTED: 10:01 am CDT August 12, 2011 (2011-08-12). "'Colbert Report' Slams Iowa TV Station — Commitment 2012: Iowa Caucuses News Story — KCCI Des Moines". Kcci.com. Retrieved 2011-08-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ "Colbert Super PAC Under New Management!". Colbertsuperpac.com. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
  25. ^ Allen, Mike (January 12, 2012). "Stephen Colbert to explore run for president in South Carolina — Politico". politico.com. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  26. ^ Will Jon Stewart go to jail for running Stephen Colbert's super PAC? By Peter Grier, 18 January 2012
  27. ^ Montopoli, Brian (January 13, 2012). "Stephen Colbert isn't really running for president". CBS News. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
  28. ^ "Mitt Romney is a Serial Killer". Political Wire. January 15, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
  29. ^ "Colbert Super PAC Backs Cain". Political Wire. January 17, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
  30. ^ 18% in South Carolina Kinda Somewhat Likely to Back Colbert | Home of the Marist Poll: Pebbles and Pundits
  31. ^ Herman Cain Gets 'A Colbert Bump' In South Carolina : It's All Politics : NPR
  32. ^ Comedy's Colbert grants UT student's super PAC request | kens5.com San Antonio
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