Comedian Colbert seeking 'megaphone made of cash'

[May 14, 2011]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Comedian Stephen Colbert wants to grab "a megaphone made of cash" so he can shout out the demands of his supporters in next year's elections.

Political talk isn't cheap, so on Friday he filed paperwork with federal election officials to set up a special political action committee, known as a "super PAC," that will let him raise unlimited amounts of money from corporations, unions and individuals.

He also asked the Federal Election Commission for permission to talk about the PAC on his show, "The Colbert Report," without violating campaign finance laws.

"I want to form Colbert Super PAC for all the PAC-less Americans so they can have a voice in the form of my voice," Colbert told a crowd gathered outside the Federal Election Commission offices.

"I am sick and tired of the old boy Democratic and Republican network toadying to corporate interests," Colbert said. "What about us? Where's our money. We're willing to toady."

Colbert, who poses as a conservative talk show host on the Comedy Central show, said in March that he was forming a political action committee. But that kind of committee has stricter rules both on fundraising and how he could mention it on TV.

"I'm not willing to ride in the back of the bus," he said. "With all this Super PAC money, I will be riding in a private jet. Ride in that jet with me."

After a pause, Colbert joked: "Obviously, I mean metaphorically."

Colbert was accompanied by Trevor Potter, a prominent campaign finance attorney and a former Federal Election Commission chairman.

The comedian has used his show to lampoon campaign finance rules, including the Citizens United ruling by the Supreme Court that paved the way for super PACs.

[Associated Press; By ANDREW MIGA]

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