COMMENTARY | Ah, the super PAC – whether people love the concept or hate it, the super PAC phenomenon is a big player in the 2012 presidential election. A super PAC is a Political Action Committee without the same restrictions. A super PAC can take as much money as possible from contributors, which can include rich donors, corporations or labor unions. Super PACs can support or attack a candidate (usually attack), but they cannot work directly with a candidate. Although, former staff members of a candidate-specific super PAC typically run it, according to The Washington Post.
Nudge, Nudge, Wink, Wink
The Super PAC strikes me as being rather convenient for a candidate when a mud-slinging campaign is being waged. A candidate can simply imply that he knew nothing about that negative campaign ad, as Newt Gingrich accused Mitt Romney of doing during two debates. (Romney’s super PAC is run by his former staff.) Super PACS let candidates give approval for the most negative smears in the Monty Python style of “nudge, nudge, wink, wink,” and they are effective. Gingrich’s poor showing in Iowa was attributed to the work of a super PAC.
No Disclosure
I’ve always been an advocate of free speech, but the problem with the super PAC approach is that we cannot always know who is funding it. This is a problem. For example, if you read a study that found diet soda to be healthy a drink, you might feel relieved and continue to drink it. But if you knew the study was conducted by the soda industry, you might not believe the results. The same goes with the super PACs. If one rich billionaire writes a hefty check to a candidate-specific super PAC, the message just might support his agenda. The candidate, if elected, might feel indebted to this person when voting on certain legislation.
Increases Awareness
One good result of the super PAC is that voters will be exposed to more negative ad campaigns, which tend to be noticed. If more people become interested in the campaigns, then more people will probably vote. I like to hear the latest dirt on a candidate as much as the next person, but I will not take that information as gospel truth. What I will do is look into any allegations made to determine whether there is any validity to them. It is a good thing when people conduct their own research about the facts surrounding a candidate, and if super PACs increase awareness, then they are not all bad.