Campaign Veteran Michael Toner Weighs in on the Role Super PACs May Play in the 2012 Presidential Campaign Fundraising Field

Election Law & Government Ethics Practice co-chair Michael Toner was interviewed for an article focusing on super political action committees (PACs) and how they will affect the presidential campaign fundraising arena. Super PACs are able to raise unlimited money to pay for ads that support or attack a political candidate. While the PACs are independent and cannot coordinate directly with campaigns, many are staffed with former campaign aides and fundraisers, leading some critics to argue that these groups are wearing down campaign finance rules. However, others claim that this is not the case. “The outside groups will bring a host of new messages — competing in the marketplace of ideas — that are transparent in their sources of funding,” Mr. Toner said.