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Videos: Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert Hilariously Mock Super PACs
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 18, 2012
Modified Jan 18, 2012
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 18, 2012
Modified Jan 18, 2012
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In case you still had any illusions about super PACs and how they're run, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert continued their satirical assault on the ridiculous "loopchasms" in the Federal Election Commission laws, and thoroughly mocked the hell out of them in segments on both comedians' shows last nights. First, Colbert visited The Daily Show to not-coordinate with Stewart on the latest attack ads from The Definitely Not Coordinating With Stephen Colbert Super PAC. He stated plainly to no one in particular through a cardboard TV screen: "Nation, I am calling on the Super PAC not to run vicious character assassination ads that impugn and borderline slander any candidate—if in any way those ads can be traced back to me."
Last week, Colbert handed over the reins of his super PAC—Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow—to good buddy Jon Stewart, so that he could focus on exploring a possible run for "president of the United States of South Carolina.” Colbert and Stewart exposed several loopholes on how candidates can successfully not-coordinate a super PAC:
- Although he can't speak directly about it, Colbert can comment on what he wants the PAC to do as long as he says it publicly on television. If Stewart is watching and does what he says, that doesn't count as "coordination."
- Stewart's super PAC and Colbert's exploratory committee share the same lawyer, and they can both be talking to him about the PAC; Potter can confirm that they're not coordinating as long as Colbert doesn't give concrete instructions.
- And even if they did get accused of coordinating, they could pay off the fines with super PAC money!
"These super PACS are tearing the GOP apart," Colbert lamented on his show later (see the clip above). He also responded to Buzzfeed editor-in-chief Ben Smith questioning the legality of his coordination with Stewart. But he explained that's just because he and Stewart were "ordinating" through a "money placenta." Either that, or they have some sort of psychic-twin connection—which really sucks when one of them touches the hot stove.
The super PAC supporting Colbert, who is beating all of the Republican candidates in favorability in South Carolina, have released three negative ads so far. The first labeled Mitt Romney a serial corporation killer; the second encouraged South Carolinians to vote for Herman Cain as a Colbert stand-in. And the latest one addresses the relentless attack ads from Super PACs supporting Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney: "So we plan to run negative ads attacking their negative ads to make it right. That'll learn 'em," Stewart said in a press release. Watch it below.
Tagged
2012 election
attack ads
coordination
election 2012
Jon Stewart
non-coordination
republican
south carolina
stephen colbert
super pac
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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