Stephen Colbert’s Super PAC is Good For Laughs and Food For Thought

In a 5-1 decision, the Federal Election Commission voted to allow comedian Stephen Colbert, host of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report,” the ability to form his own political action committee that can raise and spend unlimited money on the 2012 elections.

Thanks to the 2010 Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Committee, which allowed unregulated corporate spending in elections based on the First Amendment, Colbert’s Super PAC is now one of 100 that didn’t exist before the ruling.

The commission members in their decision did place some restrictions on “The Colbert Report” and on Comedy Central’s parent company, Viacom.  Under a special media exemption given only to Colbert’s show, any “help” from Viacom on political activities not related to the show must be reported to the elections commission.

Colbert has poked fun since the ruling that loosened campaign finance rules was handed down last year, usually through satirical commercials on his show.  However, it was no laughing matter while he was in front of the commission. He reserved his comments for the outside crowd after becoming head of a Super PAC. “Some people have said, ‘Is this some kind of joke?’ I, for one, don’t think participating in democracy is a joke,” Colbert said.

Colbert will now be able to use airtime, staff and other resources from his show on campaign activities such as TV ads without having to disclose any of those expenses as in-kind contributions from Viacom. If the ads are shown on other shows or networks, the costs must be reported to the elections commission.

The commission members specifically tailored the ruling to be narrow enough that it followed the Supreme Court ruling while also limiting Viacom’s power and influence.  The elections commission believes it must take care not blur the lines between politics and media, although watching Fox News or MSNBC would suggest those lines of separation no longer exist.

As the 2012 political season starts to heat up, especially amongst the presumed Republican nominees, Colbert will have lots of laughs, and lots of material to work with. Colbert’s PAC also shows flaws in the Supreme Court’s decision.

The decision gives special interests groups and lobbyists even more power in Washington, while limiting the power of the average American citizens who donate to their preferred candidates.  The decision also allows foreign corporations to spend without limit in domestic relations, throwing their dollars behind the candidate that serves them, and not necessarily our country, the best.

It is unknown how the new Super PACs will affect our 2012 election, but at least with Colbert in the picture, America will get some laughs along the way.

Malik Shareef, Esq. is a senior sports writer with Politic365. A graduate of the University of Virginia and Washington and Lee School of Law, he now practices law in the Washington, DC area and is a certified contract advisor for the NFL. Malik's experience as a sports agent and attorney give him a unique perspective on law-related issues in sports and entertainment. Follow him on Twitter @malikshareef.

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2 Responses to Stephen Colbert’s Super PAC is Good For Laughs and Food For Thought

1. Robby Scott Hill says:

   11:35pm July 9, 2011 at 11:35 pm

   Awesome!

   Reply
2. Angel says:

   6:45pm November 12, 2011 at 6:45 pm

   American would do well in rubbing their 2 brain celss together and stop watching Fox News. The OTHER satirical new show, Colbert report is sadly more apt to teach Americans about the reality of the political game and folly … and this statement is the most alarming of them all…

   "The decision gives special interests groups and lobbyists even more power in Washington, while limiting the power of the average American citizens who donate to their preferred candidates. The decision also allows foreign corporations to spend without limit in domestic relations, throwing their dollars behind the candidate that serves them, and not necessarily our country, the best."

   The rule of law is being disregarded and those with money and power are running the show … and rather than put the mobsters in jail, the laws are being changed to allow it to happen…

   Reply