Stephen Colbert's Super PAC, Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow, has raised $1,023,121.24, according to documents filed yesterday with the FEC [pdf]. In a letter accompanying the filing, the group's treasurer writes: "Stephen Colbert, President of ABTT, has asked that I quote him as saying, ''Yeah! How you like me now, F.E.C? I'm rolling seven digits deep! I got 99 problems but a non-connected independent-expenditure only committee ain't one!' I would like it noted for the record that I advised Mr. Colbert against including that quote."
Coinciding with the filing, Colbert wrested control of his Super PAC from Daily Show host Jon Stewart, to whom he had transferred it so he could run for president. The lucrative war chest was not reclaimed without a fight, however; in a zany segment on The Colbert Report last night, Colbert chased Stewart through the streets of NYC and onto the set of The View, where Stewart artfully camouflaged himself in a blonde wig:
Since forming the Super PAC, Colbert used some of the money to hold a rally in South Carolina and endorse Herman Cain, as well as commercials in Iowa and New Hampshire. Once he transferred the Super PAC over to Stewart, The Daily Show host used campaign funds to pay Mario Batali to cook a delicious meal for him—and then paid double for the chef to "pre-chew" the food and deposit it into Stewart's gaping mouth. According to the filing, the Super PAC donations came from a variety of individuals (West Wing star Bradley Whitford!), groups and corporations. Here's Colbert's humorous announcement about the filing:
For those of you holding your breath for the past few weeks, you may exhale. For those of you who did not survive holding your breath: You did not die in vain. Because I, Stephen Colbert, have regained control of Colbert Super PAC. Earlier tonight, I confronted Jon Stewart on The Daily Show, and chased him all the way to The Colbert Report, in the most action-packed TV crossover since that time Urkel guest-starred on Full House.
"Colbert Super PAC has brought in a staggering $1,023,121.24, which my accountant explains to me that is a number far above 'one,' 'two,' 'five,' or even 'many'" said Stephen Colbert, President and Returning Champion of Colbert Super PAC. "We raised it on my show and used it to materially influence the elections - in full accordance with the law. It's the way our founding fathers would have wanted it, if they had founded corporations instead of just a country."
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to spend some quality time with my money.
