Comedian Stephen Colbert said people are riding his “wallet tails” by creating so many super-PACs.
Colbert, who started the super-PAC Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow, said he has “owned” the field since June. The comedian cited a story from The Hill to illustrate how super-PACs have blossomed.
“When other people cover the super-PAC story that offends me, because I have owned this story since last June when I formed Colbert super-PAC with one simple yet noble goal — to raise massive amounts of money, and I did it,” Colbert said Tuesday.
At least 320 super-PACs have registered with the Federal Election Commission since the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision in 2010, according to The Hill’s report. More than 60 have registered in 2012 alone as of Wednesday.
Super-PACs can raise unlimited amounts of money for political advocacy, so long as they do not make in-kind or direct contributions to federal candidates or committees or coordinate with them.
Colbert also gave a shout-out Tuesday to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) who recently created a satirical ad that attacks Colbert. Pelosi’s “smearing” ad was created to promote the Disclose Act, which would require more disclosure in campaign finance.
Pelosi will appear on the Colbert Report Wednesday night to promote the Disclose Act, which would require super-PACs to reveal their top five donors.
Politicians have often avoided Colbert’s show for fear of sparking controversy in the freewheeling format. In 2007, then-Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), who was Democratic Caucus chairman, told freshman Democrats to stay away from it.
Colbert could bring the same level of attention to the Disclose Act that he has brought to super-PACs.
“I’ve always been a trend-setter,” Colbert joked Tuesday.
