In a nation that invented the “super-size me” option, it seems only appropriate that U.S. political campaigns would figure out a way to go mega when it comes to collecting and spending money on elections.

 

Beyond the political action committee (PAC) and Super PAC, there is today in American politics the Super Super PAC, also known as the hybrid PAC. Basically, the hybrid PAC combines the “best” of both PACs and Super PACs.

 

With PACs, groups can make contributions to federal candidates, but they can’t accept individual donations that exceed $5,000. With Super PACs, election players can raise unlimited donations from corporations and unions, but they must operate independently of candidates’ campaigns and cannot give money directly to them.

 

But with a hybrid PAC, special interests can raise and spend unlimited amounts of cash to promote or oppose candidates, just like a Super PAC, while also giving limited amounts of money directly to candidates’ campaigns.

 

According to Politico, eleven hybrids have already been created for the 2012 elections. These include the Conservative Action Fund, the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, Democratic fundraiser ActBlue, the Business Industry Political Action Committee and Puro PAC, which represents the cigar industry.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Meet the Super Super PAC (by Dave Levinthal, Politico)