Influence of Super PACS to grow with 2012 election

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Miami Herald

Influence of Super PACS to grow with 2012 election
Posted on Sunday, 07.31.11


In 2012 election, voters can expect more attack ads with the rise of Super PACs.
By ALEX LEARY
Times Staff Writer

Hard-hitting political ads against President Barack Obama, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and U.S. Rep. Allen West are popping up across Florida in a scramble to define the message of the 2012 elections, still 16 months away.

But the radio and TV attacks — which focus on jobs, Medicare and the federal debt — are not paid by the candidates’ opponents or the Democratic and Republican parties.

They are launched by so-called independent expenditure groups that are forming at remarkable speed, raising tens of millions of dollars and fundamentally altering political campaigns.

And you may never know who those contributors are — or their motivations — due to a provision of law that is increasingly exploited by Republican-aligned groups and, now, Democrats.


Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/31/2332319/influence-of-super-pacs-to-grow.html

[LetTimmySmoke]

1. Citizens United is a double-edged sword.

On one hand, it gives the right wing enormous sums of secret corporate money. On the other hand, the parties and political establishments lose control of the message.

[No Elephants]

2. Another bi-partisan effort. Both Democrats and Republicans petititioned the FEC for Super Paks

not too long after the SCOTUS decided Citizens United.

[Syrinx]

3. I'm on the edge of my seat re:ColbertSuperPac

[vi5]

4. C'mon...there need to be Super Pacs...

Especially once our Super Congress kicks in, right?

[slipslidingaway]

5. knr nt