A Super PAC attack ad is coming to a TV near you soon. If you reside in Iowa, and New Hampshire, you have already been flooded by them.
It's scary what these Super PACs are doing. It amounts to campaign spending on steroids, but it's not officially connected to the presidential candidates. (wink-wink)
It seems Americans haven't noticed it yet, but the role and impact of money in elections has changed, and it's not for the better.
Most of us may have vaguely heard about last year's Supreme Court ruling that struck down contribution limits on corporations, labor unions, and wealthy individuals, but now Americans are seeing it play out, and it's not pretty.
That's correct, there are NO contribution limits on corporations, wealthy individuals, or labor unions.
The way it works, here are committees which can solicit large contributions and these committees are aligned with specific candidates but the catch is, these committees cannot work directly with the candidates.
It's drastically changing the way money is spent in presidential campaigns. The Super PACs are, in effect, shadow forces working behind the scenes doing the dirty work.
We are watching in several states, candidates play nice with the official ads their campaign is directly paying for, and of course now they don't need to spend as much, with the Super PACs doing the dirty work, throwing the mud, and oh, by the way, these Super PACs are already spending as much as two-times more on TV than the official campaign.
In other words, this ruling has permitted campaigns to conserve their resources. Such Super PAC ads are already up our course in Iowa, and New Hampshire, but South Carolina, and even Florida.
In one ad playing in Iowa Gingrich's supposedly independent Super PAC has fired at Romney, labeling the former Massachusetts governor as a member of the "liberal Republican establishment."
"Don't let the liberal Republican establishment pick our candidate," the ad says.
In one Romney Super PAC, the ad fires at Gingrich
"Newt has a ton of baggage [like the fact that Gingrich] was fined $300,000 for ethics violations."
These ads are costing the Gingrich or Romney campaigns not one dime. The same applies to all the other candidates and of course the Democratic incumbent, President Obama.
GOP presidential candidates and the political action committees that back them have together spent more than $10 million in advertising on television and radio in Iowa this month alone, a grand slam of advertising that outpaces amounts of previous years.
Texas Governor Rick Perry and a pro-Perry Super PAC together leads the pack as they spent $4.19 million this season in Iowa
A so-called Super PAC that champions Romney, and Romney himself have spent $3.95 million.
These outside groups are flush with cash, and as one report suggested, what's to stop a casino owner from giving a Super PAC of the presidential candidate they are supporting 20 million dollars? Nothing legally. However I ask two questions:
One: Is our political system supposed to work like this?
Two: Would principle be compromised for such donations?
You decide, but as evident from this presidential election, Super PACs have changed politics.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.