What is a Super PAC?

As mentioned in our previous blog posts, Super PACs have played a role in creating some of the campaign ads you have seen this year. Super PACs are not formally associated with the politicians that they support or condemn. So, if they are not part of the official campaigns, then what are they?

PAC stands for Political Action Committee,  an organization that works to influence the outcome of an election. Super PACs were created in 2010 following the Supreme Court rulings in the case of Citizens United vs. the Federal Elections Committee (FEC). The Court ruled that corporations are entitled to give campaign contributions, as long as the money does not go directly to a candidate. So instead of giving lots of money to a particular candidate, corporations can give lots of money to PACs. Even though PACs also cannot contribute directly to a candidate, they are allowed to receive and spend an unlimited amount to reach an independent goal (and that goal may be to get someone elected). When a political action committee receives funding from millionaires, corporations, or big groups without any legal limit, then it is known as a Super PAC.

Super PACs have influenced the 2012 elections by funding many of the (mostly negative) political advertisements. These organizations have the money and resources to air their ads practically all day on all TV channels . The more funding a group has, the better it can bombard viewers with its message. And because Super PACs are not technically associated with candidates,  politicians are not held responsible when a Super PAC chooses to lie.

Coincidentally, presidential elections have often been decided by who spent the most money. This year's president may the one with the richest PACs behind him.

Readers, what do you think?  

Should corporations be allowed to donate to Super PACs anonymously?

Let us know your opinion!

References:

Cordes, N. (2011, June 30). Colbert gets a super PAC; so what are they?. CBS News. Retrieved September 7, 2012, from http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/06/30/eveningnews/main20075941.shtml.

CNN Political Unit. (2012, August 2). Poll: super PACs? Never heard of them! CNN. Retrieved September 7, 2012, from http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/02/poll-super-pacs-never-heard-of-them/?iref=allsearch.

Ensign, R. L., & Mullins, B. (2012, August 6). Here a PAC, there a PAC - except some are not so super. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 6, 2012, from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443343704577552950583164464.html.