In Ohio, Battle of the Super PACs
Democratic PACs have been wildly outspent on political ads in swing-state Ohio.
Kenneth Rapoza
The latest issue of In These Times is a special, extra-length issue devoted entirely to the subject of socialism in America today. This special issue is available now. Order your copy today.
Everyone loves to hate the Super PACs, those well-heeled sources of political influence trying to get voters to see things their way. With the election just a day away, here is how the Supers (along with the legally murky 501c(4)s) are duking it out in Cleveland, the second biggest city in battleground state Ohio.
On the left side of the ring, it’s the American Federation of State County Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
The union has placed 1,216 ads on four Cleveland television stations – WEWS (ABC), WJW (FOX), WKYC (NBC) and WOIO (CBS) – between Aug. 3 and Oct. 15, and spent approximately $1.7 million over that period to influence Cleveland to vote Obama.
On the right side of the ring we have not one, not two, but four PACs, all hailing from Virginia. They include the pro-pharma 60-Plus Association, Karl Rove’s American Crossroads GPS, Americans for Job Security and the Koch brothers’ group Americans for Prosperity. In this four-against-one fight, the pro-Romney Supers have placed 2,653 ads between the same time period and spent approximately $5.4 million.
With this face-off in mind, it’s easy to see why right-wing pundits and the organizations they support want to destroy unions like AFSCME. Without them, in the money race that is American politics, one party would lose its only bankroller.
If Super PACs were divided evenly between the two major parties, they might not be so worrisome for the future of public opinion. But as it stands, Cleveland shows that the current fight is stacked one way.
This reporting is supported by The Media Consortium.
Celebrate 47 years of In These Times in style! Get your raffle tickets today for your chance to win a vacation for two to Cascais, Portugal!
One lucky raffle winner will receive a $3,000 gift card to cover the costs of two flights, as well as a stay in a 5-star boutique hotel, housed in a 17th century fortress with medieval architecture and décor. You can schedule the trip on your timeline!
All raffle ticket sales support ongoing In These Times reporting, just like the article you just finished reading. Get your raffle tickets now.
The winner will be selected on the night of September 30, at the In These Times 47th Anniversary Celebration. You do not need to be present at the drawing to win.
