House Dems Embrace Their Super PAC
A super PAC that will raise and spend millions on behalf of House Democrats will borrow top party leaders for a kickoff fundraiser tonight on Capitol Hill, just a day after President Obama grudgingly admitted his campaign needs assistance from outside groups to keep pace with Republican fundraising efforts.
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, whip Steny Hoyer, assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman Steve Israel and 54 other Democratic members are listed on the invitation to the fundraiser for the House Majority PAC at Sonoma, the wine bar just a few blocks from the House office buildings. Hosts are asked to contribute $5,000, sponsors $2,500 and individuals $1,000.
While super PACs are permitted to raise and spend unlimited sums, federal candidates and officeholders may not solicit more than $5,000 in contributions to those PACs.
Democrats have railed against the new outside groups, which played a major role in the Republican takeover of Congress in 2010. Democrats, including President Obama, have decried the lack of disclosure requirements and the potential for corporations to spend money on elections.
Such a public embrace by Democratic leaders is an indication that the party has recognized the Republican advantage in raising outside money, and the reality that neither legislation nor court action will stop super PACs from playing a major role again this year.
Obama's campaign signaled late Monday they would help a supportive super PAC, Priorities USA Action, raise and spend money after public filings made clear Republican counterparts had vastly outpaced the group's fundraising. "The stakes are too important to play by two different sets of rules. If we fail to act, we concede this election to a small group of powerful people intent on removing the President at any cost," Obama campaign manager Jim Messina said in an email to supporters late Monday.
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