Maher's Palin Statements Open Can of Worms on Super PACs

COMMENTARY | Many conservatives upset by negative comments about Republican women, including Sarah Palin, made by Bill Maher believe President Barack Obama should pressure his super PAC to give back the comedian's $1 million donation, according to Fox News. As a political scientist, I see this issue opening up a new can of worms in regards to super PACs. I foresee commercials being run against super PAC contributors.

The unsavory language that Maher used to describe Palin and other women in the Republican Party does not need to be repeated here. Needless to say, many conservatives (and liberals) have been offended by the statements and are calling President Obama a hypocrite for making statements against Rush Limbaugh's recent comments about Sandra Fluke -- but not wanting to get involved with Maher's statements. This is actually secondary when placed against the trend I see coming in the near future.

Politicians are often critiqued and criticized by the company they keep. I see super PAC commercials attacking donors to other super PACs. How long until we start seeing commercials that dog Maher, George Soros, Donald Trump or any other person to make a significant donation to a super PAC? We could have as much argument on TV over the contributors as we do over the politicians.

Andrew Breibart's recent video trying to attach President Obama to the radical ideas of Harvard's professor Derrick Bell could simply be the tip of the iceberg. The "guilt by association" is sure to grow in the next few months as Republicans attack President Obama's super PACs over controversial liberal donors and the president's super PACs attack the Republicans for their radical donors. Instead of arguing over the issues and proposed plans, the candidates will have to spend more time discussing who has been giving them money and why.

How will this turn out in the debates? Questions about Maher and other liberal donors are sure to be directed at the president and whoever is standing next to him is going to have an opportunity to offer a rebuttal about why the particular donor should not be trusted. How much time will this take away from discussing the issues? Questions about the intents of the donors are sure to drive conspiracy theorists crazy and will help them to add to their ranks. Super PACs continue to be a questionable new addition to our political system.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/mahers-palin-statements-open-worms-super-pacs-012000195.html

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