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Senate Democrats decried the influx of millions in unregulated dollars in the 2012 elections, announcing Wednesday that they will hold hearings looking into the impact of super PACs.
New York Sen. Charles Schumer, Democrats' messaging chief in the Senate, announced that the Rules committee will begin hearings this month on super PACs.
Joined by Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Al Franken (D-MN), Schumer pointed to Mitt Romney's victory in Florida's Republican primary as evidence of the outsize influence of super PACs. He then bashed Karl Rove-tied groups American Crossroads and Crossroads GPS for raising money by the millions without having to disclose all of its donors.
"It doesn't pass the smell test to say some of these groups aren't coordinated," Schumer said, pointing to the example of a super PAC in favor of Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, an erstwhile GOP presidential contender, which was funded by Huntsman's father.
A number of super PACs made their filings with the Federal Election Commission by midnight last night, a deadline that Schumer said was "laughable." The New York senator said it made more sense to disclose those records before voters participated in January's Republican primaries.
"We think the disclosure should be as instantaneous as possible. The voters deserve to know the ugly truth of whose behind these Super PACs," he told reporters.
Schumer also didn't spare Democrats, who also have used super PACs.
"No matter who does it, the system needs to be fundamentally changed," he said.
Using charts with Karl Rove's name on them, Schumer said the donations made in secret to non-profit groups were the most troubling. He pointed to the $33 million dollars raised by Crossroads GPS as reported in the FEC filings this week.
"This is a mystery as to who is giving the money. Could it be one person who gave $33 million dollars? Could it be somebody who might have foreign links? Or huge contracts with the government ? We have no idea," he said.
The senators placed the blame on the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision.
"Everyone has the right to do it. No one is going to unilaterally disarm. So we're now forced into this system," Franken told reporters.
Whitehouse mocked the idea that Super PACs operate independently of the candidate. He said these donations lead to corruption.
"You cannot pretend that people who are giving millions of dollars in support of a candidate anonymously aren't communicating that to the candidate and aren't going to come back and expect some kind of pay and we will never know who they were and what they promised," he complained.
It's not just Democrats who are worried about the corrupting influence of these new, monied groups.
We have -- on both sides of the aisle -- these incredible amounts of money and I guarantee you there will be a scandal," Arizona Sen. John McCain (R) said last Sunday on Meet the Press. "There is too much money washing around politics, and it's making the parties irrelevant."
Schumer expects the Rules committee will hold hearings sometime in February to look at ways to make disclosure of donors more regular and to improve the coordination rules between outside groups and campaigns.
Leave a Comment:
I don't think it will matter. Republicans will never allow changes, heck, they are pushing to make corporate contributions directly to campaigns unlimited.
Yeah, not like they have anything more pressing to attend to, like you know a budget.
Must protect the people for advertisements and such.
Debt, default and downgrades really just don't rate Schumer's attention.
Debt, default and downgrades really just don't rate Schumer's attention.
I find wingnuts complaining about the debt funny. Ever heard of, "Starve the Beast?" Who was it that said the lesson of the Reagan years was that, "Deficits don't matter"?
By the way, how did the Republicans pay for the 2 tax cuts for Mitt Romney and Paris Hilton? How did they pay for Medicare Part D? How did they pay for the wars they started?
If you answered, "They paid for those things by giving more tax cuts to Mitt Romney and Paris Hilton," you would be identifying the cause of the debt you are complaining about.
As to defaults and downgrades, that was the result of Republicans taking the debt ceiling hostage. What is Schumer going to do about that? Does he have the power to make Republicans behave rationally? No, he doesn't.
"Must protect the people for (from) advertisements and such."
We're not talking about car ads or fast food ads or Viagra ads - we're talking about a corruption of the entire process by which we elect the people who are supposed to be dealing with not just the economy but every other issue that's vital to the success or failure of this country. Never thought I'd go around quoting Fred Dalton Thompson, but I keep hearing what his character said in The Hunt For Red October:
"This business will get out of control. It will get out of control and we'll be lucky to live through it."
Except that this business is already out of control, and it's beyond me how anyone can sit here and dismiss it as being irrelevant.
Oh, so the downgrade was because of the debt negotiations, not the $15 trillion debt, lack of a budget, and no attempt to actually cut costs.
Got it.
But then again, let's apply this thinking to the great state of Illinois. Big debt, so historic tax increases. Result - more debt.
Gosh nisl, kinda seems it's damned if you do, damned if you don't.
So I guess we could just focus on tax cuts, including the current rates implemented by Obama, or just maybe we should look at expenses.
And please we all know Obama's rates get re-implemented, cause it's like Obama said - 'you can't raise taxes in a recession' and I know you saw those fantastic CBO numbers.
So Nisl, just what is Illinois going to do now? And hey, did you see Cali - yep, flat out of cash in just 4 weeks.
Say hello to the ghosts of Christmas future.
So Nisl - does Schumer have the power to get a frigging budget?
No, no he doesn't [want to].
JoAnne---maybe we could get Congress to ban the Viagra ads while they are at it. Can't believe they need to spend that much money advertising that product---would think it would sell itself.
Lack of timely disclosure and secret donations are very troubling to me, as is the possibility of foreign influence and the whole idea of a quid pro quo being expected.
Yes -- Keep the heat on, from income inequality to stopping any more right-wing appointments to the SCOTUS that over-turned 100 years of precedent regarding Citizen's United!
nisl -- Only simpletons fall for "Starve the Beast." We can never go below 23% of GDP or the country would collpase into anarchy. In the meantime the Teabaggers in my family are enjoying Pell Grants, food stamps, Social Security, Medicare, and military benefits -- Obviously all small government in nature. As long as the hypocrites get theirs I guess the getting is good.
Further to that point is how European-style "socialism" is the part that works, while the austerity polices have been a dismal failure. If these far-right dimwits want to use Europe as an example, they have it arse-backward.
Here's something that I found on the intertubes a while back (make sure and share with any libertarians you may know). ;)
"This morning I was awoken by my alarm clock powered by electricity generated by the public power monopoly regulated by the US Department of Energy.
I then took a shower in the clean water provided by the municipal water utility. Then, I brushed my teeth with that water, filtered to standards set by the EPA and my state.
After that, I turned on the TV to one of the FCC regulated channels to see what the National Weather Service of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration determined the weather was going to be like using satellites designed, built, and launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. I watched this while eating my breakfast of US Department of Agriculture inspected food and taking the drugs which have been determined as safe by the Food and Drug Administration.
At the appropriate time as regulated by the US Congress and kept accurate by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the US Naval Observatory, I get into my National Highway Traffic Safety Administration approved automobile and set out to work on the roads built by the local, state, and federal Departments of Transportation, possibly stopping to purchase additional fuel of a quality level determined by the Environmental Protection Agency, using legal tender issued by the Federal Reserve Bank and printed by the Federal Bureau of Engraving and Printing. On the way out the door I deposit any mail I have to be sent out via the US Postal Service and drop the kids off at the public school.
I park my car on the street, paved and maintained by the Department of Transportation, and put quarters issued by the United States Mint into the parking meter.
Then, after spending another day not being maimed or killed at work thanks to the workplace regulations imposed by the Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, I drive back to my house which has not burned down in my absence because of the state and local building codes and the fire marshal's inspection, and which has not been plundered of all its valuables thanks to the local police department.
I then log onto the Internet which was developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Administration and post on freerepublic and fox news forums about how SOCIALISM in medicine is BAD because the government can't do anything right. Keep government out of my Medicare!"
great.
when you stop labor unions (by definition a super PAC) from funneling cash to the DNC, then you can get the the GOP to stop taking cash.
until then....if the unions can do it, then so can the rest of us.
sorry.
Not a tough call. If you're tied to those with the money, then you would naturally favor unlimited contributions. And who cares about disclosure and transparency? No One. Fine, we'll do it. Money still wins, so who cares what you know about it. The GOP will find a way to defend the ethics of a pure money candidacy anyway.
We're hosed, people.
Come on Keck, unions have exactly the same rules as normal PACs. They're no where near as lethal as Super PACs. Their fund sources are disclosed. They are forbidden by law to use dues for political support. And their money levels are only at par with corporate and other membership PACs.
Your comparison is ridiculous.
But, if you insist, let's eliminate ALL PACs... fine with me.
Its just a political ploy to make the dems look like they are doing something, while casting the repub candidates in a bad light. That and Obama's Super PAC failed miserably, cant beat them, then make it illegal..
NISL - republicans nothing. The democrats don't want the republicans receive what they got in 2008. Yeah those big donors for Obama are going to the republicans this time - and the democrats can't allow this.
I doubt anything comes out of committee, because the republicans would gladly dump this system, I think this is investigation is purely window dressing.
There is only one real way to end all of this. Get involved in the Popular Amendment Movement (faircampaignrefomr(dot)us) and help the petition drive for the following two constitutional amendments. We will NEVER get any Congressional bill through the SCOTUS that would overturn their CU ruling. Only a constitutional amendment will change that.
Petition for US Constitutional Amendment For Election Reform
We, the undersigned US citizens, duly registered voters in our respective states/territories, do hereby petition for our state to approve the following amendment to the United States Constitution by the method noted below.
Election Reform:
1. Abolish the Electoral College (Repeal Amendment 12)
2. ONE NATIONAL primary date to be held on the Tuesday eight (8) weeks prior to the General Election day for Congressional offices and for the President. Candidate petitions must be filed with the local/state elections boards 60 days prior to the Primary Election date. Federal election petitions shall be uniform in every state and shall include a “contract with the voters” that spells out clearly what that candidate stands for on all issues that they may have to address in elected office. They shall be held accountable in court for breach of that contract if elected and any/all terms are not met.
3. NO campaigning allowed for any elective federal office more than 60 days prior to the National Primary Date.
4. NO campaign contribution shall be donated to any candidate of more than $200 from an individual or $500 maximum from a family (spouses/children living in the same household.) No donations shall be made to a candidate more than sixty days prior to the primary date. No candidate shall contribute from their own funds more than 60% of the total donations from other private individuals.
5. NO campaign contribution from any PAC, corporation, union, non-profit organization, special interest group, etc. shall be allowed for any elected federal office.
6. NO third party campaigning (separate PAC ads, corporate ads, etc.) for/against any candidate shall be allowed at any time during or before the election season.
7. NO party conventions shall be held to select the presidential candidates. The selection must be done at the ballot box in the primary election.
8. The One Man/One Vote Supreme Court ruling shall be enforced by this Amendment, namely that NO federal candidate selection shall be by any means other than the ballot box on Primary/General Election Dates.
9. National Party Organizations shall NOT raise money for or donate to specific candidates of their party prior to the dates outlined above.
10. PAC’s shall NOT be granted tax-exempt status by the IRS, and any non-profit organization who uses their funding for political purposes shall lose their tax-exempt status.
11. All lobbyists shall be outlawed from influencing Congress at all times.
This amendment shall be approved ONLY by State Constitutional Conventions to be called within 90 days of this petition being submmitted to a state’s Secretary of State. A minimum of 25% of the registered voters in each state shall be required to further this petition to the respective Secretary of State.
Name Signature State Address
Petition for US Constitutional Amendment For Congressional Term Limits
We, the undersigned US citizens, duly registered voters in our respective states/territories, do hereby petition for our state to approve the following amendment to the United States Constitution by the method noted below.
Term Limits for Congress:
1. Representatives to Congress shall serve no more than two two-year terms in the House.
2. Senators shall be elected to no more than two six year terms in the Senate.
3. No elected official shall serve more than six terms in office in any combined elected offices (House/Senate/Presidency.)
This amendment shall be approved ONLY by State Constitutional Conventions to be called within 90 days of this petition being submmitted to a state’s Secretary of State. A minimum of 25% of the registered voters in each state shall be required to further this petition to the respective Secretary of State.
Name Signature State Address
Mike in Mt
You forgot to mention that I paid for all of those Goods and Services either by my TAX DOLLARS or a monthly Bill. That my friend is CAPITALISM. In the case of Utilities they are PRIVATE COMPANIES REGULATED by the Utility Commissions of each State. I pay my monthly bill to them and NOT THE STATE!
I applaud the Senate Democrats for once again doing the right thing.
You guys don't all have a perfect record when it comes to protecting the rights of American citizens but, for every instance you make the right decision based on what is RIGHT our confidence not only builds in you but we gain more confidence in ourselves.
We want to see this country work for as many Americans as possible!!!! We only ask all Americans to take care of home first.
Not just government officials.
Not just CEO's, Investors and Corporate Leaders
But, all citizens of this nation should take care of HOME first.
This means your home, your neighborhood and your country.
Let's stop attacking one another and persecuting each other because we don't understand.
We need to start off this time on the right foot.
Like the dems don't have super pacs? Give it a rest. Both parties have the wealthy supporting them any way they can.
Actually, the GOP super-PAC's have collected a LOT more money than the relatively-few Democrat ones.
And they get much bigger single donations from their givers than the Dems do.
Sheldon Adelson alone gave $10 MILLION to Gingrich. And Romney reported 7 donors of over $1 million each. No single donor to Obama gave close to that much.
Spanky, even though you were being sarcastic you now understand something better. The downgrade had nothing to do with the actual debt total, nothing whatsoever. It was about two things:
1. The ability of America to pay it's obligations including interest on the debt payments
2. Congress' inaction on a crucial issue that would have led to the Government not paying, a constitutional requirement, and inevitably defaulting on all of it's obligations including the debt.
Anyone that says different is lying to you. The market watch dogs, the S&P, do not care about debt totals, they actually make their living by creating debt; that is what credit agencies do. What got their panties in a bunch was that the Government came close to defaulting on the debt, in other words they can close to non-repayment of that debt. This is why they went after both Greece and the Euro Zone. Not because their debts are really high but because payment of that debt would have stopped.
It is the Republicans that are complaining about the size of that debt, no one else in the financial sector cares how big our debt is or gets as long as it is paid back and the ability to pay it back continues as usual.
Notice that the S&P has been pretty quite lately on the US. If it was really about the size of the debt do you not think they would still be threatening to downgrade us? Do not get me wrong that may also sway their opinions however that is not their true motivator.
Spanky knows it has nothing to do with the size of the debt. He gets his kicks coming up with deflections and half-truths.
Well, I[m glad YOU are not an elected member of Congress or President. There are enpough nut jobs and wackos like you who are ignorant, short sighted and just plain stupid. There's no fixing these kinds of people and when you say "get rid of Obama" and the agony will end, that's just like some kidnaper or hijacker holding innocent hostages and pointing a gun to their heads while saying "gimme, gimme, gimme." No the majority of US will never get rid of Obama since he is the only person standing in front of a collapse into total anarchy and banan republic style corrpurion that Republicans in toital power will bring in very short order. The process is underway and people like you ought to be deported as you are certainly not patriotic, or you would want America to succeed. Obama, if you can read enough to understand th is (which I doubt) actually has tried to adopt Republican-generated (in years past) policies but the Party of NO mindlessly rejects even their own party's ideas, they so insanely hate this Democraqtic President. That's known as a murder-suicide impulse, folks and the Republicans are in full captitivy by this primitive and destructive impulse. Disappear or shut up, I care less which it is.
Outlaw the PAC's, America doesn't need Negative adds. GOP Teapugs Stop with the Hate, racist lies, also stop deliberately destroying our Economy to get Votes.
You mean like George Soros? I am sure he puts all his contributions one dollar at a time. Ha!
Go get em Dems!
Drag the sh!t eating mushrooms out of the basement darkness & into the sunshine!
Let ALL of America see our country is no longer the Land of the Free but the Home of the BOUGHT!
Today you and the GOP are one and the same.
Amen! Go Dems! May this legislation be fast-tracked and signed into law ASAP. What's to hide, right?
There is that little matter of that stacked Supreme Court that will not allow anything to happen on this front.
This forum is a great example of what's wrong with Citizen's United, and that is lack of transparency. Just like hate speech in this forum, imagine if company XYZ had to put their name on those nasty ads full of lies?
Reelect President Obama if for no other reason than preventing anymore right-wing appointments to the SCOTUS. Can you imagine the appointments 1%er "corporations are people" Romney would make?
Wayne-1656909
If there was any justice those member of SCOTUS who let this sh**storm of influence happen should be impeached - then stripped of their ill gotten assets, tarred and feathered, and then run out of town. It was the WORST decision in history.
You have to have "sh!t eating mushrooms" for brains if you think Super Pacs even come close to the corruptness of Obama's Solyndra scandals where he literally, as pay back, gave the 20th richest man in America, a half trillion of tax payers money for bundling Obama campaign cash. Add in Fiskar, Tesla, Evergreen and scandal after failed scandal .... over 6 billion of tax payer money to Obama super rich buddies and bundlers.
Now Obama's DoJ is forcing banks to give settlement money to organizations (ACORN clones) that suffered no hardship, or harm, which of course will funnel the shake down money back to the Obama campaign and DNC.
From the cronyism of GE and Goldman to the corruption / extortion of EPA / eniviromentalist to the unions..... Obama takes big money politics to unseen and dispicable new levels.
hey bob the program that gave solyndra money was started under bush. nice try on distorting the facts to fit your agenda.
hey pitts,
Kaiser bundle for Bush?
Bush aprove the deal?
Bush OK debt restructuring putting Kaiser in front of the American tax payers?
Pathetic try at rebuttal, pitts.
Unless both parties agree that the money is getting out of control, I don't see much to come out of these hearings. Although it is rather nice to know someone in Washington is listening to the people that say that the money and super pacs are out of control.
Pittsburgh,
Thanks for the reminder!
Pittsburgh.
I worked in Pittsburgh, I found the people very nice and truthful but this . . . .
is not the truth!
The whole truth is the program WAS started by bush and solyndra was denied funding 2 weeks before Bush left office because of the proposal had failure written all over it. Obama took it back out of the circular file and funded it even though he was told the project wasn't "ready for prime time".
Betty, Betty, Betty ....
That was so weak I'm going to let it go other than to say .....
Clean Technica is the media?
And how old is that piece of crap article?
And do you really want an updated list of Obama failed boondoggles?
Anyway, give yourself a Pup-peroni treat for trying and have a nice evening.
Another truth concerning this loan program:
Congress when putting this program in place set aside 10 billion to cover any loses under the program.
So they anticipated losses. Issa obviously was in favor of the program as he wrote a letter on behalf of a green business in his state.
To date only a small portion of the 10 billion set aside for losses has been tapped.
So what does Solyndra have to do with Citizens United and Super PACs, which are what this article is about? Oh yeah nothing. Just more halfwit Republican deflection. Can't talk about the subject at hand eh Bob?
Yeah, what John McCain said.
First you have to get to REAL problem....The Supreme Court!!!
Every time legislation of this kind has been enacted, both parties find a way around it. This has been the case even before the recent supreme court decision. Case in point: McCain/Feingold did not do what it intended. Both parties found ways around it. Campaign finance regulation will never work in a free society unless that society loses its freedom. Looks like some of the people posting here are willing to have that happen, until their speech is threatened--then I suppose it will be different. How much money and 3rd party support has Sen. Schumer received over the years? The self-righteous indignation and hypocrisy of this amoral man seemingly know no limits.
Quo Vadis, USA?
Pandora's box has been opened and it is going to be very difficult to cram everything back into it. We should never have allowed this to happen.
Like so many other matters, coulda woulda shoulda.
Did I miss this story on MSNBC today?
THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT & REFORM COMMITTEE IS THREATENING TO HOLD ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER IN CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS IF HE FAILS TO COMPLY WITH CONGRESSIONAL SUBPOENAS FOR DOCUMENTS RELATED TO "FAST & FURIOUS" WHICH RESULTED IN THE MURDER OF A U.S. BOARDER AGENT.
Oh, and did the Senate Democrats ever come up with a budget?
The U.S. has been WITHOUT one for over 1000 DAYS.
Maybe THAT is why Government Spending has EXCEEDED 1 Trillion Dollar$ EVERY YEAR for the Past 3 YEARS !
........and Senate Dems plan super PAC hearings ? Are THEY FCUKING SERIOUS?
cant get a budget if you cant agree on what to put in it. thats the problem republicans wont let a budget pass unless its exactly what they want.
Pittsburgh
The Democrat controlled Senate hasn't even brought a proposed budget out of committee in over three years.
First rule of controlling spending is to write a budget. Typically the people who refuse to write a budget don't want to write a budget because they don't want to know how much they overspend - because the don't want to stop spending, and don't want others to know how much they overspend so they cannot be held responsible.
since January 2011 The Republicans not only passed a fiscal budget for the remainder of 2011, they also passed a budget for 2012. Reid, a democrat, had them tabled in the senate committee. Democrats control this, the republicans would love to vote it out of committee, but you can't do that when the majority in the committee is democrats - who don't want a budget out at all.
pitt
Looks like you don't know that the BUDGET IS EXEMPT from the FILIBUSTER! Just like the Declaration of War is exempt from the FILIBUSTER. SO what is the Democrats excuse for not hafing a BUDGET if 3 years???
Harry Reid is holding the budgets passed by the elected Congress at bay. Its the Democratic way. Don't like what was passed don't table it in the Senate.
Super PAC review what a joke! This at the same time the Obama team came out with a device what a week ago or so so you can contribute to the cronyism using 4squared technology.
Cronyism definition: 20% of all health care waivers went to 1 US district, not state district. Pelosi's
If that is not corruption at the highest levels of Government then nothing is.
Obama is the worst US President is history and there is no way around the truth.
pittsburgh....nice try...now count backwards 1000 days
Jerry- Seriously? Really? The truth, in who's mind? 2 unfunded wars come to mind, 4,000+ deaths 1,000's maimed. No WMD's, unfunded Bush tax cut's on and on.... But I am glad you came out of the coma, that you must have been in from 2000-2008!
The Senate should spend just a little time passing a budget... It's been a while folks...
too bad the republicans will just block the vote on it. its what they have been doing.
When the stated goal of our Legislature is to make President Obama a one term president no matter what the cost to our economy or the American citizens, can we realistically expect anything more out of the House or the Senate that might help to imporve our economy or anything else for that matter?
JT,
Take a look at yesterday, they ran out of Post Offices to name so they moved on to making English the official language in the country!
HEY BOEHNER - WHERE are the freaking JOBS?
Sitting on Harry Reid's desk!!
Oh yeah slodon. Because those stupid corporate de-regulation bills and further tax breaks will create so many jobs. Deregulation and 1%er tax breaks sure created a lot of jobs during the Bush years, huh? And they created so many jobs since Reagan started in with his "trickle down" idea haven't they?
I hope Harry Reid took them off his desk and put them right into the shredder where they belong.
slodon, adding "job's bill" to the name doesn't mean it will create jobs. None of the bills the House have passed have been rated to create jobs when reviewed by independent analysis.
You may as well quit dragging this out, it has proved to be false.
when the democrats cant take money from unions anymore.....then we can end super pac.
..this is fair, no ?
(the dems will never go for it....they thrive on that union cash, just look at the 25 million spent in wisconsin against scott walker)
...the unions will never go for it.
keck, your mind is the spitting image of your avatar.
Fair would be fair if the Super PACs weren't outspending unions 2 to one.
You're using something called a false equivalency. The spending of the two entities isn't close to equal.
Keck,
When unions give campaign money, THEY HAVE TO REPORT IT!!!! Under Super PACS and Citizens United, people or even foriegn countries can spend unlimited funds and no one has to report who they are.
That's the difference you idiot and if you can't understand it, ask for someone to explain it at your level.
Me thinks those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. As I remember, it was Mr. Obama in 2008 that spent a record $750 Million on his presidential campaign (twice what McCane spent); I think he forgot he was done campaigning and just kept spending; $8 TRILLION in deficit spending so far and going to add another $1.1 Trillion this budget cycle.
most of his donations came from people who donated 200 dollars or less. now thats grassroots.
No one is talking about how much money a candidate raises or spend on their campaign. We're talking about unlimited financial influence from corporate or even foreign interests.
Is that really too complicated for you to wrap your head around GForce77?
Geforce77...
You do realize that most of Obama's campaign money, both in 2008 and now in 2012 is from $200 USD individual donations? He insists all other donations, either through tradition fund raisers or a (D) relates Super-PAC be announced immediately and made as transparent as possible. One of his election attack strategies against Mit will be the "Middle class Average American" vs "Corporate Controlled Super Rich" vector. He'll accuse and attack Mit through Mitt's financial supporters. To do this President Obama can't afford to have any hidden supporters or significant undisclosed financial supporters.
Honestly Mitt doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell vs Obama in a general election, he's got too much "Wall Street" Republican painted across him for the swing voters to accept him.
Now for how elections really work, Dems will ~ALWAYS~ vote for the (D) candidate, Republicans will ~ALWAYS~ vote for the (R) candidate. The candidate having a seedy past, credibility problems, or not being charismatic will not stop a party member from doing what they see as their duty to "support their party / ideology". Thus elections are not decided by Dem / Rep's as their votes have already been cast prior to the election even starting. The absolute worst any candidate has to worry about is their politically aligned voters being disenfranchised enough to not even bother voting.
Elections are decided by swing voters, independents and moderates like myself who don't subscribe to a political party or extreme ideology. It is the candidates job to convince us their not crazy and won't drive the nation into another crisis by following some extreme political ideology. They must convince us that their somewhat honest (as politicians go) and won't be corrupted by money and influence. And this is why Obama will win (baring any super crazy situation happening), he can connect with and identify the most with the young independent voters. His own party may not like him much, but he's 100 times more appealing to an independent moderate then a die hard candidate spewing rhetoric and political ideologies.
Currently, only Republican I would vote for would be Olympia Snow (I vote for her every election actually). That would be an earth shattering Presidential race, I'd love to see her debate with Obama. Unfortunately I don't think she'll even wants to run for President, she's too happy being one of Maine's senators.
You can just keep living in your little dream world my friends with your head in the sand and by all means continue to drink the Kool-Aid. I have never in my life seen so many people who refuse to believe the truth when it's right in front of their face. Sweet Dreams my friends; that all we have left.
Theo, first, being a moderate is an ideology. As far as extreme goes, Obama couldn't be more extreme if he tried. 8 TRILLION in deficit spending and counting...seriously. This DOUBLED our national debt since the beginning of this Country and he did it in 3 years. What do we have to show for this, nothing, absolutely nothing. This Country is in exactly the same mess, if not worse, then when he took office (I can list the stats but, I'm sure you're well aware of them). He has ruined the health care system in this Country...I know, I work in the health care industry...hope you enjoy your socialized medicine; that's what it is. As far as Romney...no thanks. I just think it's pathetic these are our choices....Some idiot who's proven his inability to lead this Country into anything but debt or some Wall Street Millionaire...someone help us please. Get real and stop trying to defend the worst president this Country has ever seen....I wouldn't vote for him even if he was the only one running.
GForce, you talk about drinking Kool-aid and then start spouting numbers that are incorrect. The debit has not doubled, it's awful yes, but it hasn't doubled. Plus if you were honest enough to break down the sources of the deficit spending you would see that the majority of it was due to the unfunded programs started by the last administration. I know, you're tired of the blame Bush stuff. Unfortunately, the truth is the truth and the real numbers are easy to find.
How do you suppose a small group of Tea Party members managed to take over the Republican party in short order and force long time establishment Republicans to bow to this small group. PAC money made it possible.
In other words. SuperPAC money can swiftly change an entire political party by threatening to cut off re-election funds from anyone who opposes them.
But romney spent $14M for the florida primary. And the guy did not get more than 50% of the vote. He did not convince the people in the northern part of florida. It's buying an election because he was sooo weak that he needed every penny against unelectable competition.
Actually, over $16 million!
I better not see any republicans crying in outrage about superpac money on here. This argument was made when republicans were trying to get this through the Supreme Court and were all for republicans having any means (corrupt or otherwise) to regain control of congress. You should have been outraged at the prospect of unlimited financial influence to begin with. Of course, you all still vote for politicians who cater only to big money interests.
You are talking about Union payoffs for Demorats too aren't you?
No, I'm not. Payoffs??? Unions are made up of and represent the union members, the actual workers. Unlike corporate money in politics which is the voice and financial influence of 1 or 2 individuals with more money than all the unions put together. They represent only their self serving interests, not all of the individuals who make up any particular corporation.
Brain
Maybe you should tell that to Obama. One of his biggest contributors was Goldman Sachs in 2008. Remember???
Maybe if you don't want democrats to play by the rules that republicans fight to have, you shouldn't support them in finding so many ways to bring big money into campaigns. It's insane to support these things to try to give an edge to the republican party in defeating democrats, but complain when democrats play by the rules republicans fight so hard to make part of the process. Your anger is misplaced!
@Slodon,
Except most of Obama's campaign money was actually raised through $200 individual contributions. He had very little corporate sponsorship during the primary's, most of them were behind Clinton. After Obama won the Dem Primary Clinton's supporters sent their money to Obama, and McCain.
Something you need to know, big money Corporations don't just support a single candidate. They donate to both party's to ensure that no matter who wins, their owned a favor. It's a tactic known as hedging your bets. Although Corporations tend to favor Republican candidates, usually due to their anti-regulation, pro-business political stances.
It's ok, Slodon knows all of that. He's here to obfuscate and deflect from any meaningful examination of the subject.
There isnt very much about campaign financing regulations in general that pleases me. Super PACS are just part of the problem. Little of it seems to even be constitutional.
By allowing any form of campaign financing to accept funds from lobbies, special interest groups, corporations, companies, or foriegners, is wrong. These acts of funding, are in fact direct candidate support, and should be reserved for registered voters as individuals only. The international corporatocracy and foriegn interests have no buisness swaying our politicians loyalties away from the public interest of any nation. When corporations are labled people, our politicians view them as people with a lot of cash. In this scenerio, there is no way for the public to access those who are supposed to represent them. The representatives have sold thier loyalty, and the public is serving the corporatocracy against thier will. I call it piracy. There isnt anything right about robbing our treasury to bail out buisnesses, or cutting public assistance to finance corporate tax breaks , and election deals.
These financial deals and expected loyalties, are the driving force behind our political polarity gap, and the insensitivity we recieve from elitist backed politicians. Without direct voter ecsclusivity to financial contributions , we have lost controll of our politicians. This must be reversed in total.
Additionaly, the public should demand an explanation from our courts , based on our constitution, for the reason they decided to allow foriegn interests to influence our political election process in any way whatsoever.
Earl, see my post above in #1.
Superpacs are ridiculous even more ridiculous is how much money is shoved at politicians democrat and republican alike while they are "Out of Session". Basically those that have money can give all they want to influence the legislative process and those with no money have no say and basically no influence. Sorry folks but as long as politicians can be bought and sold our democracy is dead and your voice, opinion, and vote does not matter. We are not representative democracy as our founding fathers had intended. The only people/groups our politicians really listen too are the ones with the money, that's why solutions that seem so simple to average citizen are complicated ten fold when presented to congress.
PACS and super PACS are todays version of King Makers. It is sad that our political system can be bought and paid for, as it is today. But sadder yet is it is not even behind closed doors the way it use to be, it's just right out there in the open. I like most people am shocked by the shear magnitude of the funding that goes into Washington, and the understanding that my voice is not being heard, because I have no money.
If you think the repukes have a monopoly on superpacs wait until the demos get into it for the general election. Obama raised a billion dollars in the 2008 election what do you think the demo superpacs will raise this election. The repukes don't have a chance.
Check your history. Most of Obama's campaign money was raised through individual $200 USD donations. It was Hillary Clinton that had the corporate / special interest donation thing going on. Complete surprise that Obama won the primary, they Democratic party had planned on Hillary winning.
Wait until the demos get into there superpac money. Obama raised a billion $'s in 2008. Can anyone 2 billion in this years election. They asked for it now its time to give them a taste of their own medicine. Citizen United was the repub's idea can't wait until its used against Romney.
"Obama 2012"
so then you dems look pretty stupid biting the hand that feeds obuma
He doesn't need it as bad anyway. Do some research and look at the numbers, he's raising more money from more people through lower valued donations. In other words, instead of a handful of super rich GOPers giving money to the GOP causes, many more people are giving Obama money in smaller amounts. More normal people with modest worth believe in the causes he's fighting for.
This strengthens the argument that the GOP serve the super-rich and 'aren't worried about the very poor.' While the populist message lends itself to the Democrats.
The party of NO will say NO
It used to be that here in America we sneered at third world countries and their problems with corruption, we laughed at places like Russia and Mexico where corruption is an integral part of their society. Now we look at our own systems with widening eyes and see a thing happening that leaves a sick feeling in the pit of our stomaches.
Our political system has become hostage to the highest bidder. It has become this thing where the richest man can control everything. It is simple as pie to buy the American Presidency. All it takes is money.
Our politicians have now become tools for the rich. We thought they were before, but as things have turned out, a little decision by the supreme court has allowed the very rich to gain control of our political system.
They arent spending money yet, but they will, just as soon as these candidates have finished their last man standing contest. Romney will win the nomination. The others are struggling so hard cause they can see the prize, but they arent destined to take it, none have the money Romney does.
Its like the "perfect storm" of conditions. Unlimited financing, a greedy aggressive cruel GOP, a democratic party trying to change the merciless nature of our capitalistic society. Greed everywhere and a collection of people in congress who are more monster then human.
I see greed and evil winning, we're in for a long haul.
Just what we need, the Senate democrats holding hearings that won't go any where. Just another political ploy by the democrats shear BS.
When are the democratic Senators going to come up with a budget, been well over a thousand days or so. When are the democratic Senators going to bring the 20 or so bills that were passed by the house and not even taken up by the Reid controlled Senate.
The democrats know they are going to lose their majority in the Senate, so why are they wanting to grand stand now?
Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.
Keep on burrying your head in the sand sfcret.
sfcret, When are the republicans going to come up with a budget that may actually have a chance of passing? When are the republicans in the house going to stop wasting time on symbolic bills and actually work on something that might get passed? When are the republicans going to do what is best for this nation and compromise instead of grand standing for their base?
Andie,
When are you going to learn how the budget process works? When you have some actual facts then come back and we can discuss it. Until then get educated about the subjects you want to comment on.
Get rid of ALL the PACs, super or otherwise. Pass a bill getting rid of the notion that corporations are people. If you can't marry them or f*&k them, then they are not people. And yes i know they can f*&k me.
what would obuma do with out his super packs ???? how do you think hes going to get a billion dollars the tooth fairy
Let's see. Did someone in the Democratic Party grow enough balls to actually want to talk about the sea of money the gopers have made legal so they can buy every election from here to eternity?
It is about flipping time someone realized just how polluted and corrupt our political system has become. And we can thank Reagan, Gingrich, Frist, DeLay and other members of the republican organized crime syndicate. They even own an almost complete set of kangaroos sitting on SCOTUS.
What date did the United States of America die?
1) January 20, 1969 - Nixon took office
2) January 20, 1981 - that infamous anti-American Ronald Reagan occupied the White House
3) January 4, 1994 - the day the Contract On America Congress lead by felon Newt Gingrich was sworn in
4) November 7, 2000 - the election day when the Florida votes didn't count and a kangaroo court seated an unelected despot who proved to be the United States' most incompetent president in our history.
This cannot happen, justice Alito said so, and four other Supreme Court justices, including Chief Justice Roberts denied it too. Just because they are conservatives it doesn't mean they are not geniuses.They certainly can't be wrong. The former justices for the past 100 years were wrong. Therefore, this is not happening.
Corporations are people. Last August I had the privilege of going to lunch with General Electric, a shining example of a person.
Hello sh*t for brains, nice to meet you.
Ilias, remember the code of conduct or they will lock you out!