Jeffrey Katzenberg explains super PAC donation
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(CBS News) NEW YORK -- Hollywood movie studio chieftain Jeffrey Katzenberg says he just wants President Obama to have a fair shot at a second term.
Katzenberg, the chief executive of DreamWorks Animation gave $2 million last year to the pro-Obama super PAC Priorities USA Action, which was almost a third of the $6.5 million raised by the political action committee through February.
Katzenberg told us via email why he chose to donate so much.
"I was concerned about the attempted hijacking of the elections by Karl Rove, the Koch brothers, and other extreme right wing special interest money and felt strongly that a defense had to be mounted," Katzenberg wrote.
Rove, the former top political aide for President George W. Bush, co-founded the leading conservative super PAC, American Crossroads, which aims to spend more than $200 million this year promoting Republicans running for office.
The industrialist billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch give generously to a number of conservative causes, but have yet to appear on any presidential super PAC donor lists.
Katzenberg said he did not expect any special policy considerations or personal attention in return for his large gift.
"My only expectation was that President Obama and other like-minded candidates would benefit by being able to compete on a more level playing field," Katzenberg wrote.
Super PACs established to benefit seven Republican presidential candidates -- Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Jon Huntsman, and Herman Cain -- have spent a total of $77.5 million dollars through this week.
The Supreme Court's ruling two years ago in the "Citizens United" case cleared the way for unlimited contributions for political advocacy as "free speech." Critics argue the scale of the super PAC donations could become a corruptive influence on government.
"I thought the Supreme Court decision paving the way for the current campaign finance system was a terrible one," Katzenberg wrote. "Nevertheless, it is the law of the land, and it would be foolish for one side to unilaterally disarm. Until the law changes, we have to mount as vigorous a defense as possible."
He had no comment on the content or tone of ads being produced by the pro-Obama super PAC - so far, mostly internet videos attacking Republican front runner Romney.
Katzenberg did say he'd expected his contribution to inspire other like-minded, wealthy people to support the President's re-election in same way.
"I hope my donation will draw attention to the amount of money being raised by the extreme right wing and serve as a catalyst for other Democratic donors," Katzenberg wrote.
That motive was also expressed by comedian Bill Maher, the only other individual to deliver a seven-figure check to Priorities USA Action. Maher gave the group $1 million in February.
"I'm doing this because I truly believe the difference between a country governed by Barack Obama and one governed by Santorum or Mitt Romney is worth a million dollars," Maher said at the time. "For all the rich liberals out there - if Bill Maher can do it, you can do it too."
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has also given the pro-Obama super PAC $1 million.
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It seems to me that all of the dialogue about the bad economy, etc, is just pointless. If this money is available, why is it wasted on elections?
Candidates should all have an even platform - money should not factor into the elections. It makes a mockery of the process.
Think about it: Romney and the rest of rich Republicans want to give tax cuts to themselves, while guys like Jeffrey and Bill give donations to someone who thinks the right thing to do is raise taxes on the wealthy for the benefit of the country and everyone else. Who do you think has more honor, supporting a cause that works against your personal self interest, or the righwingers who only care about their own self interest.
And think about this: the nation is at war, young men and woman are dying for our nation, and all the Rightwing wants to do is give themselves tax cuts. Shame on them. If this was WW2 they would have been shot for treason for even suggesting such an idea.
All Democrats need to vote early and vote often to overcome stories like this.