PersonalizeThe Washington PostCampaign 2012CongressCourts &LawThe Fed PageHealth CarePollingWhite HouseBlogs & ColumnsIssues: EnergyIn the NewsShrinking government Stephen Colbert King of Bain Ron Paul Rick Santorum ???initialComments:true! pubdate:01/08/2012 18:36 EST! commentPeriod:14! commentEndDate:1/22/12 6:36 EST! currentDate:1/14/12 7:0 EST! allowComments:true! displayComments:true!
Romney and the ‘Bain way’
Correcting the King Memorial mistake
JoePa’s first interview since scandal
Your beautiful sunset photosSuper PACs alter the dynamics of fundraising
Text SizePrintE-mailReprints By T.W. Farnam, Well-established candidates have always had the edge in fundraising, but under the new rules governing money in politics, it looks as if the rich are just getting richer.
The vast majority of the $14 million in spending from “super PACs,” a new type of political group, has been spent on behalf of three candidates: Mitt Romney, Rick Perry and Jon Huntsman Jr., federal records show. Those are the same three candidates already most reliant on money from large donors.
Loading...CommentsWeigh InCorrections?
CAMPAIGN FINANCE TRACKER: Explore the candidates’ campaign fundraising.Graphic
Watch the latest campaign ads and track ad spendingMore on this StoryMitt Romney’s ‘passion makers’ make his caseLessons learned, Santorum on comeback trailFor Jon Huntsman, a day of reckoningRead more at PostPoliticsView all Items in this StorySuper PACS alter the dynamics of fund-raisingIn primary fights, longer is often better than shorterRomney says he feared the pink slip“It’s just proven to be a vehicle for getting around contribution limits,” said Michael Malbin, a scholar at the Campaign Finance Institute, which advocates for regulations encouraging small donors. “It’s made for people who’ve already maxed out.”
Two years after the Supreme Court decided the landmark Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case, it is becoming clear that the super PACs created under the new rules will act as a counterweight to a rise in online grass-roots fundraising. The online efforts, which tend to attract small donations, have been driving unconventional contenders in the GOP field, including Rep. Ron Paul (Tex.) and Rep. Michele Bachmann (Minn.). (Bachmann dropped out of the race last week after a sixth-place finish in Iowa.)
By contrast, super PACs, because they can pull in donations well above the $2,500 limit on donations to campaigns, are boosting establishment candidates who already rely on rich donors.
The Citizens United decision created a cascade of lower-court rulings, allowing for the creation of super PACs that can accept huge donations from individuals and corporations. Several of the groups active in this year’s race have already accepted many donations over $1 million from one person.
The advantage is likely to grow as the candidates move to the next round of primaries and caucuses, where they will be competing in bigger states and relying more on television advertising to reach voters.
Spending on television ads by groups independent of the campaigns is already five times what it was during the entire Republican primary season four years ago, according to estimates from Kantar Media/CMAG.
Romney has received $5 million in help from the super PAC founded by three former aides from his 2008 bid.
A group aiding Perry has spent $3.8 million on ads backing him, and Huntsman has benefited from $2.5 million worth of ads from a super PAC.
Combined, those three candidates are receiving 80 percent of all super PAC spending.
The super PACs helping Romney and Perry have spent more on television ads than the candidates themselves in recent weeks, according to Kantar’s estimates. Huntsman’s campaign just launched his first ad.
Paul and Bachmann received more than 60 percent of their money from donors giving less than $200. A super PAC helping Paul has spent $735,000 on Internet advertising. And a group that initially announced it was helping Bachmann went on to run $500,000 in ads for Romney.
While Newt Gingrich’s campaign was struggling in the summer, he relied more on smaller donors. As he gained steam, he received help from a super PAC founded by former aides. But the group’s late start appears to have been a problem: It has reported $1 million in spending so far.
Rick Santorum has benefited from about $755,000 in spending from two super PACs backing him.
Just as the Internet allowed candidates to raise money from small donors faster than they had through direct mail, the same is true for super PACs.
“You make a phone call and get a million dollars,” Malbin said.
The new wave of spending has also allowed some candidates to benefit from negative advertising while avoiding the blame for attacking fellow Republicans.
Campaign finance regulations passed by Congress in 2002 have a “stand by your ad” provision requiring candidates to appear on screen stating their approval of the spot. But rules prevent super PACs from coordinating the campaign operations, allowing candidates to say the ads are out of their control.
“It changes the dynamic for candidates who are more reliant on small donors,” said a Paul strategist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to talk freely. “You have two tiers of candidates: those with super PACs that can have negative messaging without having to take the heat for it, and those who have to do it themselves.”
Read more from PostPolitics:
Romney slips in second debate
The Fix: Winners and losers of the N.H. debates
Case tests FCC’s power over TV indecency
Election year begins Monday at the Supreme Court
SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.
More about badges | Request a badge Culture Connoisseur BadgeCulture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.
More about badges | Request a badge Fact Checker BadgeFact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.
More about badges | Request a badge Washingtologist BadgeWashingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.
More about badges | Request a badge Post Writer BadgeThis commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.
Post Forum BadgePost Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.
More about badges | Request a badge Weather Watcher BadgeWeather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.
More about badges | Request a badge World Watcher BadgeWorld Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.
More about badges | Request a badge Post RecommendedWashington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.
You must be logged in to report a comment.
Sign in hereYou must be logged in to recommend a comment.
Sign in hereComments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.
All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.
More about badgesGet a badgeTo pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.
Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers. + SHARE THIS DEBATE
Featured Blogs & Columns
Election 2012News and conversation about the 2012 elections.
Fact CheckerThe truth behind the rhetoric
The TakeDan Balz on politics WP Social Reader Hide this Friends' Activity Most Popular in politics Most Popular in politics Most Popular Right Now
Your Friends’ Most Recent Activity
View More ActivityPowered by
The Post Most: PoliticsMost-viewed stories, videos and galleries int he past two hoursMost PopularSantorum charity for the poor spent most of its money on management, political fHome again: Paul takes a break in Texas just as a his candidacy takes the spotliJon Huntsman, rejected by GOP masses, seeks a boost from his elite baseMitt Romney could benefit if economic woes trump social issues in South CarolinaGOP divided over potential impact of Bain attacksTop VideosJohn Edwards's heart condition delays trial (0:56)Gingrich to gay voter: Support ObamaObama announces agency merge (1:13)'King of Bain' ads airing in South CarolinaRomney son makes birther jokeTop GalleriesColbert transfers Super PACPresident Obama on the campaign trailThe GOP presidential contenders: JanuaryWitness Campaign: Through the eyes of the American voterThe Romneys in Mexico Fact or Fiction? Loading... Track all the Campaign 2012 fact checks Campaign 2012 tools 
Republican primary tracker Explore the state of the 2012 race in key early states.
Mad Money: Campaign ads Watch the latest campaign ads and track how much candidates spend.
Campaign Finance Explorer See who's raising and spending the most money.
2012 Presidential Candidates
Mitt Romney
Newt Gingrich
Rick Perry
Ron Paul
Rick Santorum
Jon Huntsman
Barack ObamaSee AllFeatured Advertiser LinksMesothelioma cancer shatters lives. Find out what to do before the killer strikes the one you love.>>Actos gave you bladder cancer? You may be entitled to compensation. Learn how to file an Actos lawsuit.>>Join Pres. Obama. It's time to do it again.>>Are you in? Join Barack Obama's campaign now.>>Help Pres. Obama keep moving America forward.>>Join the 2012 campaign at BarackObama.com>>Looking to buy a home? Visit TWP Real Estate section for the latest open houses.>>Make Your Vanguard Investing More Profitable - Free Research Report Reveals Best & Worst Funds>>Top politics Stories People Also ReadMost Popular Videos
Santorum charity for the poor spent most of its money on management, political friendsCarol D. Leonnig; Dan Eggen 
Home again: Paul takes a break in Texas just as a his candidacy takes the spotlightAssociated Press 
Jon Huntsman, rejected by GOP masses, seeks a boost from his elite baseJason Horowitz 
Mitt Romney could benefit if economic woes trump social issues in South Carolina primaryAssociated Press 
GOP divided over potential impact of Bain attacksAmy Gardner; Peter Wallsten 
Romney gains traction in South CarolinaNia-malika Hendersonand Philip Rucker 
US warns Iran to leave Persian Gulf oil route alone, clash shows risk of larger warAssociated Press Across-the-board cuts in federal workplace may not be wise or safeJoe Davidson 
New Hampshire primary results: What they mean for Mitt Romney and Ron PaulPaul Williams PAC ads adding confusionT.w. Farnam 
Obama seeks more power to merge agencies, streamline government::unspecified:: Ways you can get us Mobile Apps Newsletter & alerts RSS Post Store Facebook Photo Store Twitter Washington Post Live The Washington Post Work for us Community Relations PostPoints Corrections/Suggestions Archive Contact the Ombudsman Report a problem Web site Make us your homepage Digital Guidelines Ask The Post Newspaper Subscribe Home delivery service e-Replica Advertise In the newspaper On the web site Mobile Events The Washington Post Company Post Company web sites Partners Slate Express Night Out Captial Business El Tiempo Latino The Root Foreign Policy Trove Post Tickets Capitol Deal Service Alley Post Master Class WP Live Student Advisor College Reviews © 1996- The Washington Post Terms of Service Privacy Policy Reprints and Permissions Help Contact Us Ad Choices 
No comments:
Post a Comment