Colbert’s Super PAC
Stephen Colbert stopped by the FEC to form a SuperPAC.
Why should you care? Because what he’s doing is brilliant and has real world consequences.
Background:
On Friday, May 13th, Colbert and his lawyer showed up at the Federal Election Commission building in D.C. to formally request an advisory opinion for the Colbert Super PAC, which if created will be an independent expenditure Political Action Comittee able to accept unlimited corporate, individual, political committee and labor contributions.
This is a real request, says Colbert “I’m making an actual request. I want to find out whether I actually have to list Viacom and the fact that I have a show as a gift in-kind,and if I don’t, I can’t wait to use the resources of my show.”
The Lawful In-kind Contribution:
If Stephen Colbert forms a PAC and then references or uses material from the PAC on his show, there is a question whether Viacom (his corporate parent) must report the time used to talk about the PAC as an In-kind Contribution to the PAC. The FEC created this rule to prevent free advertising of PACs by shows. There is an exemption, called the Press Exemption, which is why Karl Rove can get paid by Fox News and go on Fox News and blabber on and on about American Crossroads with no repercussions, Fox News is a press entity and is exempt. Colbert is seeking clarity as to whether Viacom can count as a press entity.
It is possible the FEC will do ruling here that may strike down the press exemption, or alter it in ways that affect Fox News and their paid contributors who also run PACs like Karl Rove and Sarah Palin. In that event, Colbert has already won, hurting an enemy while producing bits for his own show. Colbert also exposes the lax of regulations and oversight at the FEC on forming PACs and SuperPACs. If Colbert is allowed the Press Exemption, he has free reign to create a multitude of content that will have implications in the 2012 campaign and beyond.
For example, this will allow Colbert to produce commercials to air in markets of close races. Due to the Colbert satire angle, expect them to be “pro-GOP” in a sense of them being anything but. Colbert’s name will ensure viral internet propagation of the commercials, and they’ll also be used as material for The Colbert Report. The commercials won’t even have to air to be seen thousands of times in the districts they are targeting. The 2012 campaign season promises to be more entertaining that 2008 ever was.
Colbert’s success in getting his PAC started will inspire others to do similar work. I am not sure who could set up something as large as his PAC has the potential to be in time for 2012, but I expect there will be a few copycats of varying degrees of seriousness.
Colbert is quoted as saying “I believe the Citizens United decision was the right one, there should be unlimited corporate money, and I want some of it. I don’t want to be the one chump who doesn’t have any.”
Then Colbert spoke:
“As we stand here on this historic site, where 250 years ago today George Washington filed his papers to form his independent expenditures non-connected political action committee, we are also standing at an American crossroads — not to be confused with American Crossroads, the name of Karl Rove’s ‘Super PAC,” Colbert told the crowd. “I mean a metaphorical crossroads, because the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United has proved that unlimited corporate money equals free speech. But by the transitive property of elections, does it not also follow that no corporate money equals silence?”
“I want to form Colbert Super PAC for all the PAC-less Americans, to give you a voice in the form of my voice,” Colbert said.
Colbert told the crowd he’d be offering handshakes at $1 a pop and collected fists full of cash as he darted into an awaiting SUV.
Background from episodes of Colbert Report (thanks Lansdowne):
March 10th
Inspired by ads from Tim Pawlenty and his PAC, Colbert decides to form his own.
March 30th
Colbert asks former FEC chair Trevor Potter about PACs and prepares to submit his paperwork.
April 14th part 1
Parent company Viacom urges Colbert to cease PAC activities as it would be an illegal ‘in kind’ contribution of corporate resources.
April 14th part 2
Trevor Potter returns to help Colbert submit the necessary cover letter to turn his PAC application into a SuperPAC application, which allows for corporate donations.
April 28th
Colbert discusses the differences between PACs and SuperPACs. Interview with Russ Feingold about impacts of the Citizens United ruling.
May 11th
Viacom still is reluctant to allow Colbert to continue PAC activities as they would have to disclose details about its contribution of airtime and resources. Trevor Potter then helps Colbert in obtaining a ‘media exemption’ which allows for journalistic organizations to report on PAC activities without considering the airtime a contribution.
Categories: #culturewar, #politicians, #pundits Tags: Stephen Colbert, SuperPACs
Drain Clogs 09-17-2010
- America is poor as hell. Thank you Republicans and awful Democrats. Class warfare, people!
- In a battle between Lady Gaga and John McCain, I choose Lady Gaga!
- Holy blast from the past (for me)! A long time ago (circa 2005-6) I used to make fun of this dude on the internet named Hans Zeiger who was totally into the Boy Scouts to the point where he probably wore his scout uniform as underwear. He wrote for WorldNetDaily and then eventually dropped off the face of the Earth after appearing in a Penn and Teller Bullshit episode. And now he’s a candidate for State House in Washington!
- Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell got ticked off at the reports of gas protestors being included in the Homeland Security reports and terminated it. Good job, Rendell! The Institute of Terrorism Research and Response was the company doing all the reporting and their website is scary, with lots of military imagery and a giant owl face. And chess.
- Speaking of the Homeland Security Reports, friend of the site and fellow goon tacodaemon caught Foxnation.com lying about Tea Parties being on the lists and sent it into Media Matters, who put up an article about it.
- Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are going to hold dueling rallies in DC on October 30th. Expect the Teabaggers to cry and whine like the babies they are. Stewart’s rally will be the “Rally to Restore Sanity”, while Colbert’s is the “March to Keep Fear Alive”
- Former chair of the Florida Republican Party Jim Greer apologizes about calling Obama a socialist.
I wanted to send you my thoughts about the Obama speech to kids …
“In the year since I issued a prepared statement regarding President Obama speaking to the Nation’s school children, I have learned a great deal about the party I so deeply loved and served. Unfortunately, I found that many within the GOP have racist views and I apologize to the President for my opposition to his speech last year and my efforts to placate the extremists who dominate our Party today. My children and I look forward to the President’s speech.”Jim Greer
- A former military contractor stole millions of dollars??? Totally shocked here. Actually, I am shocked, as this guy’s going to jail!
- A new site has popped up guaranteeing you all the latest horrible and offensive comments from FOXNews.com. Introducing Fox News Comments.com!
- At a press conference at the Yelp headquarters in San Francisco, Meg Whitman (California governor hopeful and record-breaking campaign self financier) was asked by an audience member why she continues to run false and deliberately misleading campaign ads. Watch Whitman’s pathetically floundering response on Crooks And Liars!
- The Teabaggers made a float with Obama whipping a white guy, and probably grumbled while they were building it about how everyone thinks their racist for no reason at all!
- Cartoon of the Day:
