Billionaires and shadowy groups fund record-breaking election
This election cycle super PACs and billionaires who have been able to donate anonymously, have funded the most expensive election in the nation's history.
American businessman Sheldon Adelson, is seated before Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney delivers a speech in Jerusalem in July. This election cycle, individual donations of $20 or even $50 are dwarfed by money from Las Vegas casino mogul Adelson the top super PAC donor this year who contributed more than $40 million to Republican super PACs, including those backing Romney and former candidate and House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
Charles Dharapak/AP/File
Washington
Billionaires, anonymous donors and shadowy outside groups funneled enormous amounts of money into this year's federal elections, as the cost of the presidential campaign surged past $2 billion and is expected to set a record. Despite grumbling among watchdog groups and even candidates themselves, don't expect serious changes any time soon.
After a series of high-profile federal court rulings, the US government's newly relaxed campaign-finance system allowed for unlimited contributions from corporations, labor groups and others; television advertisements from nonprofit groups that concealed who paid for them and the proliferation of at least 773 super political action committees.
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney experienced both extremes from super PACs: Some attacked him mercilessly during the primary elections and others have supported Romney's campaign by purchasing ads assailing President Barack Obama.
The money race was as important as ever this election. Super PACs supporting Obama and Romney spent more than $500 million in ads, helping Romney especially in battleground states. Nonprofit "social welfare" organizations have spent hundreds of millions more on so-called issue ads, but they are governed by tax laws and don't have to disclose their donors.
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