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Buying of the President 2012: Meet the Super PAC Mega Donors

The more we learn about Super PACs, the uglier the picture gets.
February 22, 2012 |
Campaign Finance Reform 
Democracy & Elections 
Millennials: Victims of the Drummond Report

For members of the Millennial generation -- those born in the 1980s and 1990s (though some measures include the late-1970s as well) -- self-expression and free speech are especially important with the proliferation of social media. Through avenues such as Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook, this is an especially connected generation and, in countries such as Egypt, these values of self-expression and networking through social media have even helped facilitate dramatic social change.
February 21, 2012 |
Economy & Opportunity 
The Middle Class 
Super PACs a Disaster For Democracy

In 1907, Congress banned corporate contributions to federal candidates in the wake of the robber baron-era scandals. In 1947, the ban was formally applied to corporate expenditures and extended to cover labor unions.
February 16, 2012 |
Campaign Finance Reform 
Democracy & Elections 
Why Rich Guys Love Super-PACs, Part II
The difference is obvious, Potter replied.  Because 527 groups were legally shady, they attracted far less money from fewer donors. True, the FEC didn’t enforce the law, but donors couldn’t be sure that would be the case, and some were unwilling to take the risk.
February 13, 2012 |
Campaign Finance Reform 
Democracy & Elections 
News from the Movement!

Demos lays out exactly which Americans benefit most from the rise of super PACs (hint: it’s the wealthy ones) and how to stem the flow of corporate money into politics.
February 10, 2012 |
Campaign Finance Reform 
Democracy & Elections 
Why Do Rich Guys Love Super-PACs So Much?

The U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United decision unleashed the specter of unlimited corporate political donations in U.S. elections. So far, however, it's mostly rich individuals doing the donating.
February 9, 2012 |
Campaign Finance Reform 
Democracy & Elections 
The 'disturbing' rise of super PACs: By the numbers

A new report from two public-interest groups confirms fears "that the cash for big-ticket campaign spending like TV advertising is increasingly controlled by an elite class of super-rich patrons not afraid to plunk down a million bucks or more for favored candidates and causes."
February 9, 2012 |
Campaign Finance Reform 
Democracy & Elections 
Primer: How Super PACs Rake It In

Super PACs raised about $181 million in the last two years — with roughly half of it coming from fewer than 200 super-rich people.
February 8, 2012 |
Campaign Finance Reform 
Democracy & Elections 
Some Super PAC Money Is Untraceable

Six of the top 10 super PACs active in the 2012 elections have received money from untraceable sources, including nonprofits and shell corporations, according to a report released today by two progressive advocacy groups.
February 8, 2012 |
Campaign Finance Reform 
Democracy & Elections