Thom Hartmann: Super PACs...are politicians now officially puppets?

[thomhartmann]

The question a lot of Republicans are asking themselves right now is - how the heck is Rick Santorum still in this race? Not only still in the race - but surging after winning three straight contests on Tuesday in Missouri, Minnesota, and Colorado. In fact - Santorum has won more states this primary season than Mitt Romney. This this man-on-dog Rick Santorum we're talking about - a guy whose name is synonymous with....well....google it. So how's he doing it? The answer...a guy named Foster Friesse - that guy who was standing behind Rick Santorum on Tuesday night as Santorum delivered his victory speech. Friesse - who used to be a supporter of Romney in 2008 jumped ship - is now using his fortune to be the leading contributor to Santorum's corporate SuperPAC known as the "Red, White, and Blue Fund." He's admitted to giving at least $300,000 to the cause - but Friesse won't say how much more he's "invested" in Santorum. But is this good for our democracy? Should one millionaire or billionaire be able to keep a candidate in the race - and what strings are attached to the money if Santorum - or any other superpac-owned candidate wins? Paul Sherman joins me now - he is an attorney with the Institute for Justice.

The Big Picture with Thom Hartmann on RT TV & FSTV "live" 9pm and 11pm check www.thomhartmann.com/tv for local listings