Steyer Passes Adelson as No. 1 ‘Super PAC’ Donor.

[elleng]

Tom Steyer, the billionaire hedge fund founder who has pledged to spend $50 million of his own money to defeat Republican candidates in Senate and governor’s races this campaign cycle, exceeded that mark in September.

Mr. Steyer’s “super PAC,” NextGen Climate Action Committee, reported on Monday night that it received $15 million from him last month, putting his total contributions to the committee since June 2013 at $55 million.

That makes Mr. Steyer the largest super PAC donor, putting him ahead of the casino magnate Sheldon G. Adelson, who gave $49.8 million to super PACs during the 2012 campaign. More than half of Mr. Steyer’s donations to NextGen have come in the previous two months; he also gave $15 million in August.

NextGen has paid for millions in television advertisements and other campaign activities in Senate races, but also has become a donor to environmental organizations and to state committees: In September it sent $5 million to its Florida affiliate and $925,000 to the League of Conservation Voters Victory Fund.

http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2014/10/20/?entry=2969&_php=true&_type=blogs

[Onlooker]

1. Thank God

In this terrible age where money is political power, we have no choice but to welcome people like Tom Steyer. The big difference between people like him and people like Adelson, is that Steyer is fighting for a set of principles that will help a broad swath of people, while Adelson is fighting for a set of principles that will not do much more than line his pocket.

[bluestateguy]

2. I wish this wasn't necessary

I hate seeing our elections be "Battle of the Billionaires"

[merrily]

4. It was that way in practice, long before Citizen's United. We're more aware of it now.

Reviving the Fairness Doctrine would have helped, but the Obama administration killed the ability of the FCC to revive it. Now, it would take a vote of both Houses plus a Presidential signature and, obviously, that won't happen as a practical matter.

So, once again, we are left with the Constitutional amendment route and that, too, is unlikelier than ever. FUBAR.

[merrily]

3. I believe that super PAC donors can remain anonymous, if they wish. If I am correct,

we may not even know who biggest donors actually are, unless they someone feels like telling us. I thought anonymity was part of what Citizens United decided, but I could be wrong. I never read the opinion. Does anyone know for certain, one way or the other?