The Citizens United court decision is helping Mitt Romney, the vehemently anti-environment Republican presidential contender. If the Republican nominee were to win the US presidential election it would be a devastating blow for the environment. With the help of unlimited spending he very well might succeed.
As reported by the Center for Public Integrity analysis, the Citizens United court decision is heavily favoring Romney. Since Labor Day, 70 percent of outside spending on the presidential race was made possible by the court decision.
According to the analysis of Federal Election Commission data, since September 3, $80 million out of a total of $118 million spent by both sides, were attack adds directed against President Barack Obama.
One of the defining features of this election is the Super PACs which are a direct by-product of the Citizens United decision. They receive unlimited funding from anyone including corporations and they need not disclose their donors.
The largest super-PAC and the most spending comes from American Crossroads, a conservative group co-founded by Republican strategist Karl Rove.
While supporters of Citizens United are quick to point out that unions (which commonly support the Democrats) can also provide unlimited funding. However a breakdown of spending reveals that Super P
ACs spend about one hundred time more than unions (see below).
Total Citizens United related spending since Labor Day: $217.3 million
Super PACs $119.9 million
Nonprofits $95.9 million
Unions $1.3 million
Other $160,000
Total spent on the presidential race since Labor Day: $118.7 million*
Pro-Romney and anti-Obama ads: $85 million
Pro-Obama and anti-Romney ads: $32.2 million
© 2012, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.
Related Articles
Supreme Court Decision Undermines Efforts to Combat Climate Change
Political “Heroes” and “Villains” on US Air Pollution
Big Oil’s Influence on US Politicians
Mitt Romney’s Love Affair with Fossil Fuels
Romney’s Coal Fired Campaign Versus Obama’s Wind Power
What Romney’s Energy Policy looks Like on the Ground (Video)
Mitt Romeny: The Legacy He Will Leave for our Children
Romney Increasingly Uncertain about the Climate Change
Climate Denying Republicans Delay their Convention Due to Extreme Weather
GOP VP Candidate Paul Ryan’s Unsustainable Voting Record on Energy and the Environment
Environmental Politics: Obama Versus the Republicans
The Ignorant Anti-Environmental Views of the Republicans
The Koch Brother’s Ties to GOP Presidential Candidates
Republicans Vow to Continue Push for Keystone XL
Video: Conservatives Against Republican Denialism
Video: The Republican War on Climate Science
Video: Republicans Anti-Scientific Stance
Republican Obstructionism on the Debt Crisis and Implications for the Environment
Republican Cuts Target Green Jobs
Republican Gubernatorial Gains and Redistricting
Republican’s Fail in their Bid to Defund the EPA
Defend Clean Air and Oppose the TRAIN Act
Republican Assault on the Environment
EDF Campaign Opposing US Anti-Environment Bill
Environmental Implications of the Credit Ceiling Agreement
Chu Video: The Worst Anti-Environmental Bill of her Career
Connolly Video: Climate Disasters And GOP Denial
Blumenauer Video: ‘The Jihad Against Climate Change Continues’
Republican Obstructionism on the Debt Ceiling Risks Global Environmental Collapse
Republicans Undermining Climate Legislation
Supreme Court Decision Undermines Climate Change Legislation
Protecting the Planet from Corporate Influence
Green Stimulus Spending and Republican Opposition
What is Wrong with the Right
The Business of Climate Change Deception
