Report: Nonprofits spent more than super PACs in 2010 election

CBS

Although super PACs have received most of the attention when it comes to outside spending during this election cycle, an investigation released Monday by the Center for Public Integrity and the Center for Responsive Politics shows that "social welfare" nonprofit groups spent $3 for every $2 super PACs spent in 2010.

The report noted that although super PACs must release their donors, the nonprofit groups as defined by section 501(c)(4) of the U.S. tax code rarely have to disclose where their money is coming from.

In the 2010 election cycle, the nonprofit "social welfare" groups spent about $95 million, compared to the $65 million spent by super PACs, according to the report. Much of the nonprofit spending came from the right, with conservative groups outspending liberal groups $78 million to $16 million.

As for the 2012 election, the groups noted that so far in this election cycle, super PAC spending is far outpacing nonprofit spending. However, the report says that trend could change, saying "with clearly defined candidates for both the White House and in most congressional races, nonprofits are expected to become more active."

[marychgo]

And the single most despicable "social welfare" 501(c)4 is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce! Traditionally, we thought of the Chamber of Commerce as representing local small businesses, but today the U.S. Chamber represents the largest, most neanderthal multinationals, whose interests have NOTHING to do with the interests of the American people. A pure mouthpiece for the 1%!

[wayneonly]

The really sad thing is that everybody is wasting so much money to "buy" candidates (Congresspeople and Presidential) when it could be put to so much better use. But it does gain some return for big banks and big business if the candidate they bought gets elected. But us REAL Americans never see any benefit from it. Unfortunately we (the voter) all to often "sell" our vote by falling for the slick ads purchased by these excessive campaign contributions. If we didn't and could look beyond the political rhetoric we might actually vote a Congress that would recognize their real duty should be to the voter/taxpayer.

[WHAT-IS-HE-SMOKING]

"Much of the nonprofit spending came from the right, with conservative groups outspending liberal groups $78 million to $16 million."
Yep, best politician's money can buy!

[WHAT-IS-HE-SMOKING]

So THE republican party can buy their seats since the 2010 was when the teaparty came in