In a change of position, Barack Obama’s reelection campaign will begin using administration and campaign aides to fundraise for Priorities USA Action, a super PAC backing the president.
Obama has been an outspoken critic of current campaign financing laws, in particular a Supreme Court ruling that allowed the creation of super PACs. Until now he has kept his distance from Priorities USA Action.
But in the wake of the group’s anemic fundraising, made public last week, the campaign decided to change its position, and announced the new stance to members of its national finance committee Monday evening.
Two Obama campaign aides confirmed that senior campaign and administration officials who participate at fundraising events for the president’s campaign will also appear at events for Priorities USA Action, the PAC supporting Obama.
“This decision was not made overnight,” one campaign official said. “ The money raised and spent by Republican super PACs is very telling. We will not unilaterally disarm.”
The president, first lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden will not appear at super PAC events, the aides said.
Sometimes you have to use the tools of your enemy in order to win.
Super-Pac:
Restore Our Future, the super-Pac that backs Mr Romney, raised $30m in 2011.
Priorities USA Action, Obama’s super-Pac, raised just $4.4m in 2011.
BUT…..
Non-super-Pac:
Obama raised $42m last quarter.
Romney only $24m.
Ironically (when you consider Obama wants ”the rich” to pay MORE than they legally owe for taxes) Obama’s peeps say he would be at an extreme disadvantage to his Republican rival if he did not play by the rules.
I guess “the rich” would, too!
@Nan G:
If anyone thinks that a Romney, or any other GOP candidate’s, super-PAC will outraise an Obama related one, as happened in 2011, for the rest of this year, I have a bridge I’d like to talk to you about.
@johngalt:
Not me, JG.
I know how Obama used the Gazans as fund raisers last time.
Their ”address” was GA, mistaken for Georgia, LOL!
@Nan G:
We have to remember that the current thought is that Obama has somewhere around a BILLION dollars backing him this campaign season. This estimate is due to not only the traditional campaign givings, nor the accepted PACs prior to 2010, but in all the additional available money via super-PACS. The fact that super-PACS related to Obama only garnered $4.4 million in 2011 should not be looked at as a trend for him.
Hang, @johngalt…. “trend”? The guy has barely gotten started. Obama is still sitting at the starting gate, in idle mode.
He’s got plenty of time Combined with Air Force One transport and fuel, he’ll save a ton on any campaign costs. Perks of the incumbent… combine it with the “nation’s business”.
But please tell me conservatives aren’t going to try and play the high road on Superpacs…. most especially Mittens. Give me a break.