MSNBC First Read: Obama signs off on Super PAC donation encouragement

Obama signs off on Super PAC donation encouragement

By NBC's Carrie Dann

President Obama personally signed off on his campaign's decision to actively encourage donations to Democratic Super PAC Priorities USA, according to senior campaign officials who spoke on a conference call with reporters Tuesday morning.

But an official would not characterize the tone of Obama's agreement to back a policy that is at odds with his previous vocal opposition to the Citizens United decision that allows Super PACs to solicit unlimited donations.  

Conversations among top advisers about the need to "lend support" to the outside fundraising effort have been going on for "weeks," and the decision was made after a review of FEC filings from the Super PAC committees supporting the GOP presidential candidates, officials said. 

READ MORE

The Two Faces of Mitt Romney on Immigration

SEIU and Priorities USA Action Expand Ad Campaign in Florida and Nevada to Continue to Expose the Two Faces of Mitt Romney

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Priorities USA Action and SEIU today doubled down on their efforts to educate voters about the “two-faces” of Mitt Romney and his unbelievably low 13.9 percent tax rate with new Spanish language radio ads in Florida and Nevada. Both ads, which are identical, will launch today, February 1.

“Although Mitt Romney may walk away with the Florida GOP primary, he can’t walk back his support of treating immigrants so terribly that they are forced to self-deport,” said SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Eliseo Medina. “He can’t walk back his fondness of Kris Kobach, the godfather of anti-immigrant legislation like Arizona’s SB 1070. He can't walk back the fact that while as CEO of Bain Capital he fired thousands of workers. He can't walk back the fact that as a multimillionaire he pays less in taxes than the majority of hardworking Latinos. As he heads into states with more Latinos, his ‘dos caras’ with our community will become even more evident.”

The ads highlight Romney’s dramatically low tax rate. While accusing immigrants of coming to this country to look for “handouts”, Romney helped himself to a massive handout on the federal government’s dime.

“Mitt Romney’s 13.9 percent tax rate is the ultimate handout,” said Paul Begala, senior adviser to Priorities USA Action. “To claim that immigrants come to America for a ‘free deal’ while paying a tax rate that is half of what hard working Americans pay is the height of hypocrisy. If Mitt truly cared about the best interests of the Hispanic community, he would advocate for a fair tax system and job-creating policies that benefit middle-class families, not just the wealthiest Americans.”

In Florida and Nevada, we will remind voters of the two-faces of Mitt Romney: the candidate who is willing to say one thing in Spanish to Hispanic voters and something entirely different - and more sinister - in English to non-Hispanic voters.

“From his partnership with Kobach, the Pied Piper of anti-immigrant hatred, to his espousal of policies that will harm Hispanic communities, Mitt Romney cannot hide from his record,” said SEIU National Political Director Brandon Davis. “We intend to pound the pavement and cover the airwaves to remind voters of Romney’s anti-immigrant and anti-worker record.”

Although the SEIU-Priorities USA Action campaign is targeting Mitt Romney, no current GOP presidential candidate, including Newt Gingrich or Rick Santorum, is a viable alternative for Hispanic voters.

The ad can be heard on www.prioritiesusaaction.org/DosCaras and http://action.seiu.org/page/s/DosCaras

Florida “Dos Caras” Ad

Mitt Romney has no shame. He shows one face to the Hispanic community and another completely different one to everyone else. 

On the one hand, Romney is a multimillionaire who pays an unfairly low tax rate.  But on the other hand, he accuses the hard working immigrants who come to this country of being opportunistic, declaring (at a town hall meeting) that they’re just here looking for handouts.

(Romney soundbite)

“A lot of people just come here that have no skill, no education, and are looking for a free deal.”

Romney says he cares about our children, but time and time again he promises to veto the DREAM Act that would open educational opportunity for young Hispanics.

His Spanish-language ads say Romney “believes in us,” but his deeds speak for themselves.

Let’s not be fooled. He might have two faces, but we know all too well who the true Mitt Romney is.

Priorities USA Action paid for and is responsible for the content of this ad. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. Priorities USA action dot org.

###

Priorities USA Action is an Independent Expenditure PAC that supports candidates who will advance policies that provide the strongest and most sound outcomes for middle class families. www.prioritiesusaaction.org

With 2.1 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy. www.seiu.org

Paul Begala: GOP Candidates Show Willful Blindness About Country’s Mood

The only knockout punch in the CNBC debate was the one Rick Perry administered to himself. His tiny Texas Aggie brain froze when he tried to repeat his talking point about the three federal agencies he would close.

Ohio voters rejected the Republican vision for America" -Statement from Priorities USA Action's Bill Burton

Tonight, Ohio voters rejected the Republican vision for America that rewards big corporations and the wealthiest at the expense of middle class families.

Memo: For Ohio Voters, Mitt Romney’s America Isn’t So Distant

Illustrating Mitt Romney’s America is much easier when Americans already know and dislike the reality of Scott Walker’s Wisconsin, Rick Scott’s Florida and John Kasich’s Ohio.

Pro-Obama Group Begins Third Anti-Romney Internet Ad Campaign

A political action committee that backs President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign is starting a social media advertising blitz against Mitt Romney one year before voters go to the polls to choose the next president.

New York Times: New Video Attacks Romney

Priorities USA Action, the pro-Obama super PAC, is marking the start of the yearlong countdown to Election Day 2012 by releasing a video entirely devoted to attacking former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, painting him as a cold-hearted businessman disconnected from the pain of ordinary Americans.

CNN: Pro-Obama outside group targets Romney in digital campaign

Washington (CNN) - An independent group dedicated to helping re-elect President Barack Obama Wednesday launched its first major digital campaign targeting Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Obama allies launch ‘Mitt Romney’s America’ attack campaign

President Obama’s political allies launched a tough new campaign Wednesday against Mitt Romney, previewing a harsh line of attack the Democrats may drive should he become the Republican presidential nominee.

Welcome to Priorities USA Action

Welcome to Priorities USA Action. We are committed to countering the right-wing agenda that Karl Rove and the Koch Brothers are funding with hundreds of millions of dollars from conservative ideologues.