Stephen has his Super PAC and that's great. He has been displaying the names of his donors across the bottom of the TV screen and we appreciate that.
But something was missing for Stephen. He wanted secrecy. So, friend of the show Trevor Potter showed up again with all the paperwork complete so that Stephen could get his very own 501(c)(4).
Stephen is the sole director of the corporation and therefore he had the power to elect himself president, secretary and treasurer. And he did so.
He can take in money and no one need know who it came from. Why, in 2011, Karl Rove's American Crossroads took in 90% of its money from just three billionaires!
So, Stephen can take in unlimited money and no one will know where it came from. And in a really sweet deal, he can take that transparent money from his Super PAC and give it to this 501(c)(4). So while the Super PAC is all out in the open, the 501(c)(4) can hide away in the shadows.
He can donate money to political causes or candidates as long as that's not his main objective. Oh, yeah, it's about education, yep, that's what the purpose of his 501(c)(4) is all about.
To get him started, Kevin Kline was on to host The Donating Game.
And now for something completely different:
Stephen had as his guest Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. Since he is a billionaire, Stephen asked him what he would like to donate money for but wouldn't want anyone to know he was doing it. Unfortunately, just as Mark was answering, the screen went to a "Sorry, Technical Difficulties" graphic. So, we'll never know.
Showing posts with label SuperPAC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SuperPAC. Show all posts
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
SuperPac: Liberty on Lay-Away
I think you heard it here first. Well maybe not. I really have no way of knowing. Although I guess if you didn't read anything else, then yes, you did hear it here first.
But that's not important. What is important is that Stephen Colbert and his SuperPAC got the thumbs up from the FEC (Federal Election Commission).
You can start reading about it at these sources. Some even have video of the decision.
Washington Post - (Colbert approved to form SuperPAC) Yes, video also after you watch a short 15 second commercial. But it's worth it to see Stephen smile.
Huffington Post - (Stephen Colbert Wins SuperPAC at FEC.) Stephen does not accept the status quo, but he does accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
Washington Post - (FEC allows Colbert to form SuperPAC for 2012 elections) This article is by Dan Eggen. It was outside of the FEC offices where Stephen was taking contributions of cash or by swiping credit cards that he said, "Today we put liberty on lay-away."
Deseret News - (Colbert gets some answers on campaign finance.) This article by Andrew Miga comes to us from Utah, home of Jason Chaffetz.
The Daily Beast - (FEC approves Colbert's SuperPAC.) Included in the comments is this: "Where do I donate!" Good question. Hopefully Stephen will let us know the answer to that on tonight's "The Colbert Report." (Or you can just go to www.ColbertSuperPAC.com)
But that's not important. What is important is that Stephen Colbert and his SuperPAC got the thumbs up from the FEC (Federal Election Commission).
You can start reading about it at these sources. Some even have video of the decision.
Washington Post - (Colbert approved to form SuperPAC) Yes, video also after you watch a short 15 second commercial. But it's worth it to see Stephen smile.
Huffington Post - (Stephen Colbert Wins SuperPAC at FEC.) Stephen does not accept the status quo, but he does accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
Washington Post - (FEC allows Colbert to form SuperPAC for 2012 elections) This article is by Dan Eggen. It was outside of the FEC offices where Stephen was taking contributions of cash or by swiping credit cards that he said, "Today we put liberty on lay-away."
Deseret News - (Colbert gets some answers on campaign finance.) This article by Andrew Miga comes to us from Utah, home of Jason Chaffetz.
The Daily Beast - (FEC approves Colbert's SuperPAC.) Included in the comments is this: "Where do I donate!" Good question. Hopefully Stephen will let us know the answer to that on tonight's "The Colbert Report." (Or you can just go to www.ColbertSuperPAC.com)
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
I Can Has a SuperPac
Agenda Item: Thursday, June 30 at 10:00 a.m.
Where will you be then? Stephen will be at 999 E Street NW in Washington D.C. or in other words at the Federal Election Commission to find out if he gets to have his SuperPac. He commented on the show that all six of the Commissioners are very good looking!
And then at approximately 11:00 a.m., Stephen will be outside and will let the world know that he got his SuperPac (or else he will come out crying because he did not get it). Trevor Potter was again on The Colbert Report to advise Stephen and he did tell him that there was a third option. The vote could go 3-3 which would be a tie and that would mean that it wasn't yes but it wasn't no.
Okay, now here is something really interesting. If you go to the Federal Election Commission website, you may notice a scrolling text at the bottom of the screen.
Information regarding Commission's June 30 public meeting.
Hmpf. I wonder what that could be about. Well, I'll just poke on the link and find out.
Okay, this is interesting. Here's what it says on the FEC website for Public Meeting of June 30, 2011:
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Public Meeting of June 30, 2011
Individuals planning to attend the Federal Election Commission's June 30 public meeting should be aware that:
1. Seating in the hearing room is extremely limited, and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be overflow seats in the Public Records Division but there, too, the seating will be extremely limited.
2. Members of the public will not be admitted before 9 a.m., but may line up outside to the east of the building entrance.
3. Security guards will screen all visitors and their belongings. Please bring a valid, government -issued picture ID.
4. Visitors must wear their FEC-issued guest ID while in the building.
5. Food and drink are not permitted in the hearing room or in Public Records.
The Commission will consider Stephen Colbert's Advisory Opinion Request as the first item on its agenda. Afterward, there will be a short break to allow members of the public who wish to leave to do so.
Live audio feeds and recorded podcasts of all the Commission's public meetings are available on the agency's website. Click here (go to FEC website and click) to access the June 30 broadcast.
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Wow. Wowie! I wonder how often they have this much interest in a hearing. The suspense is unbearable. Keep your fingers crossed and tune in tomorrow.
Where will you be then? Stephen will be at 999 E Street NW in Washington D.C. or in other words at the Federal Election Commission to find out if he gets to have his SuperPac. He commented on the show that all six of the Commissioners are very good looking!
And then at approximately 11:00 a.m., Stephen will be outside and will let the world know that he got his SuperPac (or else he will come out crying because he did not get it). Trevor Potter was again on The Colbert Report to advise Stephen and he did tell him that there was a third option. The vote could go 3-3 which would be a tie and that would mean that it wasn't yes but it wasn't no.
Okay, now here is something really interesting. If you go to the Federal Election Commission website, you may notice a scrolling text at the bottom of the screen.
Information regarding Commission's June 30 public meeting.
Hmpf. I wonder what that could be about. Well, I'll just poke on the link and find out.
Okay, this is interesting. Here's what it says on the FEC website for Public Meeting of June 30, 2011:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Meeting of June 30, 2011
Individuals planning to attend the Federal Election Commission's June 30 public meeting should be aware that:
1. Seating in the hearing room is extremely limited, and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be overflow seats in the Public Records Division but there, too, the seating will be extremely limited.
2. Members of the public will not be admitted before 9 a.m., but may line up outside to the east of the building entrance.
3. Security guards will screen all visitors and their belongings. Please bring a valid, government -issued picture ID.
4. Visitors must wear their FEC-issued guest ID while in the building.
5. Food and drink are not permitted in the hearing room or in Public Records.
The Commission will consider Stephen Colbert's Advisory Opinion Request as the first item on its agenda. Afterward, there will be a short break to allow members of the public who wish to leave to do so.
Live audio feeds and recorded podcasts of all the Commission's public meetings are available on the agency's website. Click here (go to FEC website and click) to access the June 30 broadcast.
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Wow. Wowie! I wonder how often they have this much interest in a hearing. The suspense is unbearable. Keep your fingers crossed and tune in tomorrow.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Building a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow
Well of course tonight Stephen talked about the news that neither Mike Huckabee nor The Donald (Donald Trump not Donald Pellview) is running for GOP nomination for president. Chris Matthews put it this way,"Trump, bump, hump, dump.
But the big news is Stephen Colbert! He did go to the FEC (Federal Election Commission) on his birthday - May 13. He was there in Washington D.C. to drop off his request for a SuperPAC. He spoke briefly on the steps of FEC and reminded people that he was standing on the same spot where George Washington stood 250 years ago to get his permission way back then to form a SuperPac.
He compared it to standing at an American Crossroads, not to be confused with Karl Rove's American Crossroads. ( If that link doesn't work, try here or here. I've been having trouble getting that link to work right, so be patient.)
The crowd, and it was crowded, chanted that famous of famous mottoes with him: Building a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow. And while there may be cynics that will claim Tomorrow never comes, thanks to his lawyer, Trevor Potter, Tomorrow just got one day closer.
A while back, a young man gave Stephen $10 so that Stephen could accomplish what was on a list that the man also gave Stephen. That man was Ben Donaldsonson and Stephen lost the list. But it inspired Stephen to do the right thing and for $1, people could shake Stephen's hand. The response was overwhelming and Stephen had to start putting the dollar bills in his mouth. (Does he know where that money has been? Take it from me, you don't want to know.)
Stephen collected a whopping grand total of $31. That is, for lack of another word, impressive. Truly Stephen Colbert is willing to put his money where his mouth is.
Unfortunately, the FEC has 60 days to make its ruling. That's a long time to wait. Let's hope we get the decision sooner.
Moving on, tonight's guest was Alison Klayman talking about her documentary "Ai Weiwei, Never Sorry" which is about Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. You probably know the Birdnest that was built for the Olympics in China. He helped design the Birdnest. You can read a lot of information about Ai Weiwei at Wikipedia. You should go take a look. He has really neat art stuff and it's a very interesting story.
But the big news is Stephen Colbert! He did go to the FEC (Federal Election Commission) on his birthday - May 13. He was there in Washington D.C. to drop off his request for a SuperPAC. He spoke briefly on the steps of FEC and reminded people that he was standing on the same spot where George Washington stood 250 years ago to get his permission way back then to form a SuperPac.
He compared it to standing at an American Crossroads, not to be confused with Karl Rove's American Crossroads. ( If that link doesn't work, try here or here. I've been having trouble getting that link to work right, so be patient.)
The crowd, and it was crowded, chanted that famous of famous mottoes with him: Building a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow. And while there may be cynics that will claim Tomorrow never comes, thanks to his lawyer, Trevor Potter, Tomorrow just got one day closer.
A while back, a young man gave Stephen $10 so that Stephen could accomplish what was on a list that the man also gave Stephen. That man was Ben Donaldsonson and Stephen lost the list. But it inspired Stephen to do the right thing and for $1, people could shake Stephen's hand. The response was overwhelming and Stephen had to start putting the dollar bills in his mouth. (Does he know where that money has been? Take it from me, you don't want to know.)
Stephen collected a whopping grand total of $31. That is, for lack of another word, impressive. Truly Stephen Colbert is willing to put his money where his mouth is.
Unfortunately, the FEC has 60 days to make its ruling. That's a long time to wait. Let's hope we get the decision sooner.
Moving on, tonight's guest was Alison Klayman talking about her documentary "Ai Weiwei, Never Sorry" which is about Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. You probably know the Birdnest that was built for the Olympics in China. He helped design the Birdnest. You can read a lot of information about Ai Weiwei at Wikipedia. You should go take a look. He has really neat art stuff and it's a very interesting story.
Friday, May 13, 2011
New Poll
I put up a new poll here on the blog and took down the old one. It's a real simple question. Have you joined Stephen's SuperPAC?
Also, Happy Birthday to Stephen Colbert. Do you remember what you were doing on May 13, 1964? Probably not, but Stephen was being born that day! It's not quite a National Holiday (yet) but we should still all celebrate.
And while he won't be in the studio today for The Colbert Report, Stephen has been busy. He is at the FEC and I expect we will hear about that next week. I can't wait to find out how that went.
So, today everyone should sing Happy Birthday to Stephen at least once. And take a look at the poll this week and mark either Yes or No.
Admiral John Q. Buzzschackler, Esq.
Unfortunately, Stephen is still having troubles with the legalities of his SuperPAC. He needed to have famed lawyer Trevor Potter on the show (again) to help him sort through all the various laws and restrictions about PACs and Super PACs.The background on this is a letter from Viacom Lawyers that Stephen read recently on The Colbert Report. It starts out as follows: "Please do not read this on the air."
Oops.
The letter was quite lengthy, so Stephen paraphrased it. Paraphrasing legal jargon is always a good idea. I highly recommend it.
Here's what the Viacom lawyers told Stephen (as paraphrased by Stephen):
"We are stupid lawyers who hate fun. If you do this, we're all scared because people might get mad at us. I think we just peed a little. So, even though we know it is totally legal and everything, and everybody wants you to do it, we're not going to let you.
Sincerely,
Admiral John Q. Buzzschackler, Esq."
Legally, it is illegal. With all the integrity and sincerity that Colbert followers have come to expect from him, Stephen did the right thing and exploited the loophole.
Here's how it all plays out: Stephen can't talk about his PAC. But, if Stephen "reported" on his PAC or did "analysis" of it, then his SuperPAC would be covered under the "News Exemption" which is why FOX can go on, and on, and on, talking about SuperPACs.
Long story short, Trevor Potter just happened to have a letter that he had already drafted to get the "Media Exemption" for Stephen. However, the process may take up to 60 days, so Stephen put a "Lincoln" in with the letter, not as a bribe, but as Free Speech.
So, hopefully Stephen will get his "News Exemption" so that he can have his SuperPAC and talk, I mean "report" or "analyze" about it, too.
* Image is not actual Five Dollar Bill.
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