I'm now running for President

as a write-in vote. Yep. I am. The Speak Out party may not get off the ground in time, but I can still be a write-in candidate!

And while we're on the subject, I have to admit, I think I've been fooled by Lawrence O'Donnell. I swear, I don't know if he's in on the Colbert Super Pac experiment, or not. *taps chin*

To catch you up on this, Stephen Colbert, of the Colbert Report, started his own Super Pac to prove how dangerous they are (in his own humorous way, of course) and it's bloody brilliant and, of course, the majority of folks I know get it. But as I said, for the first time, Lawrence O'Donnell has me fooled. I don't know if his Rewrites (he's now done two on Colbert and his SuperPac) are tongue-in-cheek or if he's serious and doesn't get it? His expressions give nothing away and I'm totally stumped even though he's a brilliant man and normally I'd assume he's 'in on it'.

Quick lesson if needed: A PAC is actually a "Political Action Committee" whose job is to raise money to help get a candidate elected; a system that always had strict rules. But in 2010 (duh) the idea behind the PACS was hijacked and we now have something called a Super PAC,  or "independent-expenditure only committees" which can raise unlimited funds from corporations, unions and other groups (which weren't permitted for simple PACS) as well as individuals. These were made possible thanks to the right-wing Supreme Court which voted (in an extremely controversial decision) to create a 'Citizens United' rule that allows corporations (like The Colbert Report's parent company, Viacom) to donate unlimited amounts of cash to Super PACs...whereas under regular PAC rules they'd be forbidden to donate (because airtime is considered a donation). 

They also allowed direct attacks on candidates, which weren't permitted prior to 2010. And of course, unlike the original PACS, the Super Pacs don't have to disclose their donors or how they use them. Duh.

Colbert had to go before the FEC to request his Super Pac status and maybe even hoped they'd turn him down, but knew they wouldn't as they'd already okay'd such Super Pacs as Karl Rove's American Crossroads, Mike Huckabee's Super Pac and Sarah Palin's, among other Fox News employees who then used the station to push their PACs and solicit contributions. If the FEC had turned him down, it would have meant the others would be in big trouble, but naturally, the FEC wouldn't, so now he's using it to illustrate everything's that's wrong with Super Pacs while having fun with the 'ads' he's paying for, including the three ads scheduled to run in Iowa now, during the State Fair/straw poll and debates. And yes, two primary stations actually ran the ads, but the ABC affliate in Iowa refused!

Anyway, here's the first Rewrite on O'Donnell's show and then here's the 2nd, so view them and let me know if I'm crazy. I think O'Donnell is on it, but damn it, I just can't tell. I swear, sometimes, O'Donnell can drive me crazy! LOL!

If you want to view the whole Super Pac process, you can find all the videos either on YouTube or at Colbert's site, btw.

Oh, yeah, Colbert's also interested in just what Sarah Palin, who hasn't declared herself as a presidential candidate, will use HER Super Pac money, the same Super Pac she advertises on Fox News to solicit money. Maybe to pay for her "vacation", perhaps? Living expenses? Will she throw the money (that's left after her 'vacation') toward one of the final candidates for President among the Republicans? Or maybe just siphon it off into her hubby's business? Since she doesn't have to disclose anything - well, gee, aren't Super Pacs fun?

Hey, you know, if I'm running for President as a write-in candidate, I could really use a Super Pac. Anyone interested in starting one for me? Abby would, but not even the Supreme Court will allow a cat do to it.

Yep, I need a Super Pac. Badly. The Aly for President Write-In Super Pac.

*nods*