CNN Launches In Depth Series On Super PACs In 2012 Election

CNN is launching a weeklong series that takes an in-depth look at super PACs and the influence of money in the election.

The series starts on Tuesday and will air daily on The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, John King USA and throughout prime time on Anderson Cooper 360, Piers Morgan Tonight and Erin Burnett OutFront. The subject of super PAC funding for misleading ads has been a prominent issue in debates.

CNN's managing editor Mark Whitaker introduced the network's series in a column on Tuesday, referencing Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart's fun with super PACs and writing, "It's become an easy talking point that this will be the most expensive presidential race in history, and that super PACs could tip the outcome."

The network will be profiling some of the biggest players in the fundraising war, including the Las Vegas billionaire who wrote the $5 million check that funded a huge ad campaign against Mitt Romney in South Carolina, and the Democratic PACs that are -- and are not -- supporting President Obama in 2012. The series will also look at how much money it takes to run a political campaign, and how much candidates stand to make once in office.