Quick Note: Nothing Funny About Stephen Colbert's Super PAC

Check out this Christian Science Monitor article about comedian Stephen Colbert forming -- for real -- a super PAC or political action committee. According to the article, this enables Colbert to receive donations in unlimited amounts from individuals, corporations, and organizations. The superPAC can't donate directly to candidates for office, but it can spend unlimited amounts advocating for or against a particular candidate.

Officially, the name of the super PAC is Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow.

[Aside: Does the second "tomorrow" mean "as in now, not next year or ten years from now," which is my guess. But the cynic in me says it also could mean tomorrow as in "I'll do it tomorrow" and "tomorrow never comes."]

Jumping through the legal hoops of establishing a superPAC is a far cry from writing an editorial in a newspaper. But, historically, newspapers have often begun as the mouthpiece of one political party or another. And who knows what goes on behind the scenes.

How does Colbert intend to use the money? Let's turn to another CSM article for more insight.

And here's the fine print from ABTT's home page: Contributions to Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow ("ABTT") are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. ABTT may accept unlimited corporate contributions, unlimited individual contributions, unlimited labor-union contributions, and unlimited PAC contributions. Contributions from foreign nationals and federal-government contractors will not be accepted. *Federal law requires ABTT's best efforts to obtain and report the name, address, occupation, and employer of any individual who contributes more than $200 in a calendar year.


Interesting that the curious reader cannot access the inner workings of the Web site without "joining" by providing an email address -- presumably, anyway. The only instruction is "Join Us:" followed by a data entry box, which is then followed by a "Submit" button. I tried entering Curious George, but got an "Invalid email address" note.

Who is on the board? Where is the office located? What are the planned expenditures? How will Mr. Colbert himself benefit?

The only clue to the answer to any of these questions is a link to the 10-page letter from the Federal Election Commission notifying Colbert's attorneys that his request has been approved. That letter is addressed to:

Trevor Potter, Esq.

Joseph Birkenstock, Esq.

Matthew T. Sanderson, Esq.

Caplin & Drysdale Chtd.

One Thomas Circle, NW

Suite 1100

Washington, DC 20005

Stay tuned.