The super PAC supporting Mitt Romney has broken a law forbidding the republication of campaign materials by an outside group, according to a campaign finance watchdog group.
HuffPost reports: "On Thursday, Restore Our Future released an ad, titled "Saved," which is identical to a 2007 Romney campaign ad titled "Searched." The ad features Robert Gay, a former business partner of Romney, explaining how Romney shut down Bain Capital and brought 50 employees to New York City to track down Gay's daughter, who had snuck off from home to go to a rave. Both ads feature the same footage and the same monologue from Gay.
The only difference between the ads is that the Restore Our Future ad ends with the line "Brought to you by Restore Our Future" rather than the closing line of the 2007 Romney ad "I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message."
"Super PACs are prohibited from making coordinated communications," Ryan said. "Super PACs are also prohibited from making payments to candidates," he added. "There's an FEC regulation that treats the dissemination, distribution or republication of campaign materials as a contribution from the super PAC to the candidate regardless of whether or not it's coordinated with the candidate," he said referring to the Federal Election Commission."
Rick Santorum better get ready because the Death Star (Romney's super PAC) just unloaded. The Romney super PAC reported to the FEC today and late last night expenses totaling $3.9 million to target Santorum across seven states. Prior to these filings Santorum had only faced $2.5 million in super PAC opposition.
Two of Romney's super PAC donors benefited mightily from the auto industry bailout strongly opposed by Romney on the campaign trail.
Listen to James Bopp, the first lawyer behind the Citizens United case.
Super PACs are being used to enrich the consultants behind them. Another story on the same subject notes, "Becky Burkett, a former top official of a nonprofit Mr. Gingrich headed who now runs a pro-Gingrich super PAC called Winning Our Future, paid herself $220,000 in donated money last month — making more in 20 days than any other super PAC official has made in total since the groups exploded onto the scene."
Restore Our Future's chief fundraiser is getting a big pay-day: $1.9 million!
Romney's low small donor number is evidence of the enthusiasm gap his campaign faces.
Jack Abramoff is kind of full of shit, according to the Sunlight Foundation.
Sen. Claire McCaskill attacks the outside groups attacking her.
Stephen Colbert and Nancy Pelosi make a deal.
AD WATCH
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Committee: Barack Obama for President
Spot: "Made in America"
Market: Michigan.
Buy: Undisclosed.
Committee: Rick Santorum for President
Candidate Opposed: Mitt Romney
Spot: "Say What"
Market: Unknown.
Buy: Undisclosed.
Committee: Restore Our Future
Candidate Supported: Mitt Romney
Spot: "Saved"
Market: Unknown.
Buy: Undisclosed.
Committee: Republican National Committee
Candidate Opposed: Barack Obama
Spot: "Obama's Got America Singin' The Blues"
Market: Unknown.
Buy: Undisclosed.
Committee: American Bridge 21st Century
Candidate Opposed: Mitt Romney
Spot: "What McCain Really Thinks About Romney"
Market: YouTube.
Buy: None. Just a web video.
Committee: Elizabeth Warren for Senate
Spot: "Wow"
Market: Massachusetts. Radio ad.
Buy: Undisclosed.
Committee: Dan Liljenquist for Senate
Spot: "Pension Reform"
Market: Unknown.
Buy: Undisclosed.
TRACKING INDEPENDENT SPENDING IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE:
These numbers represent spending by independent groups, like super PACs and non-profits, to support or oppose a particular candidate for the presidency in 2012. Fundrace will update this spending daily to help show which candidates are gaining from the proliferation of independent groups in this coming election.
Newt Gingrich (R), $6,435,761 to support, $17,942,276 to oppose. (+$532,829)
Rick Santorum (R), $3,901,799 to support, $6,472,823 to oppose. (Support: +$688,533, Oppose: +$3,937,637)
Mitt Romney (R), $2,216,953 to support, $5,302,658 to oppose. (+$229,422)
Rick Perry (R), $4,167,697 to support, $1,404 to oppose.
Ron Paul (R),$3,683,027 to support, $133,333 to oppose.
Jon Huntsman (R), $2,453,204 to support, $0 to oppose.
Barack Obama (D), $287,153 to support, $760,389 to oppose.
Herman Cain (R), $501,717 to support, $954 to oppose.
Gary Johnson (R), $518 to support, $0 to oppose.
RECENT INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES
Restore Our Future, $1,060,425 to oppose Rick Santorum for President in Michigan.
Restore Our Future, $334,849 to oppose Rick Santorum for President in Arizona.
Restore Our Future, $506,808 to oppose Rick Santorum for President in Tennessee.
Restore Our Future, $277,510 to oppose Rick Santorum for President in Oklahoma.
Restore Our Future, $532,829 to oppose Newt Gingrich for President in Georgia.
Restore Our Future, $936,819 to oppose Rick Santorum for President in Ohio.
Restore Our Future, $554,774 to oppose Rick Santorum for President in Michigan.
Restore Our Future, $109,610 to oppose Rick Santorum for President in Mississippi.
Restore Our Future, $156,842 to oppose Rick Santorum for President in Alabama.
Priorities USA Action, $229,422 to oppose Mitt Romney for President in Michigan.
Red White And Blue Fund, $634,346 to support Rick Santorum for President in Michigan.
Red White And Blue Fund, $1,103 to support Rick Santorum for President in North Dakota.
Red White And Blue Fund, $43,084 to support Rick Santorum for President in Idaho.
Campaign for Working Families, $10,000 to support Rick Santorum for President in Michigan.
RECENT POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE REGISTRATIONS
Now or Never PAC, Kansas City, Mo., Treasurer: James C. Thomas III. (Super PAC)
Strength & LIberty PAC, Santa Ana, Calif., Treasurer: Andrew Barnett. (Super PAC)
The Patriot PAC, Boca Raton, Fla., Treasurer: Joseph A. Hilton.
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