Citizens United accounts for 78% of 2012 outside election spending

[G_j]

Last edited Tue Sep 25, 2012, 07:44 AM - Edit history (1)

http://m.guardiannews.com/ms/p/gnm/us/sk8Ao3GRK94EPSkOd_cicLg/view.m?id=15&gid=world/2012/sep/24/super-pac-spending-2012-election&cat=world_us-elections-2012

Citizens United accounts for 78% of 2012 election spending, study shows

Impact of supreme court's 2010 ruling shown by report into outside money spent on this year's US presidential election


Almost $465m of outside money has been spent on the US presidential election campaign so far, including $365m that can be attributed to the supreme court's landmark Citizens United ruling, according to a report released on Monday.

Super Pacs, which came into effect following the 2010 Citizens United verdict, accounted for $272m of the expenditure in the study, conducted by the Sunlight Foundation, a non-profit organisation devoted to increasing transparency in government.

A further $93m has been spent by corporations, trade associations and non-profits which, according to the supreme court's decision, are able to spend unlimited amounts on political campaigning without disclosing the source of their funds.

"This cycle's outside spending mostly comes in the form of 'independent expenditures' supporting or opposing political candidates by unions, corporations, trade associations, non-profit groups and Super Pacs," wrote Kathy Kiely, managing editor of the Sunlight Foundation.

..more..

[unblock]

1. and how much of the ownership of those corporations is from outside the u.s.?

[G_j]

3. interesting question

though the answer is a secret..

[Frustratedlady]

2. This is an insane waste of money that could be spent on education and other programs.

The arrogance of these people (corporations are people, too) to buy the election is as unamerican as can be. Why aren't the shareholders complaining that this money is being taken out of their percentage of profit/dividends?

Now, can someone explain how Romney is low on funds? Didn't I see he needs $20M? I realize some of these funds can't be handed to him for campaign expenses, but honesty never stopped them before. I should think it would be embarrassing to him to have to admit that he was low on funds...what with being so wealthy and all.

[cthulu2016]

4. That headline (not yours, I know) is Incorrect

The article says that 78% of outside money is attributable to CU, not 78% of total election spending.

It's the Guardian's headline and it's a very poor one.