Let's talk about the independence of SuperPACs. Were we to visit
Suite 555
66 Canal Center Plaza
Alexandria VA 22314
we would find the following SuperPACs, led by the people as identified in Jim Hightower's blog as being in charge.
TARGET POINT CONSULTING - headed by Alexander Gage, a top staffer to Romney in 2008. The firm is advising both Romney's campaign and Romney's SuperPAC.
WPP STRATEGIES - headed by Katie Packer Gage, wife of Alexander Gage, and deputy campaign manager for the current Romney campaign
BLACK ROCK GROUP - headed by Carl Forti, the political director of Romney's 2008 campaign. Forti is senior strategist to Romney's SuperPAC (and for more on Forti read this Mother Jones piece by Andy Kroll).
Hightower's piece is tigtled "SuperPAC silliness." Allow me to turn to Hightower's piece to offer the final words on Suite 555:
Mr. Gage explains that while his firm and Ms. Gage's firm are in the same suite, the two principals do not discuss Romney's campaign or PAC with each other. And he points out that while Target Point and Black Rock also share the space, the two firms are separated by a conference room. "It's not like we're a commingled office," he assures us.
There's a word for this: silly. Also, fraud. And, corrupt.