President Obama worries over Super PACs, adds sanctions on Iran

Washington - United States President Barack Obama told a news outlet that he is concerned about Super PACs in the upcoming election because of the money and negativity. These words come as a new poll suggests that he has gained on Republican candidate Mitt Romney.

In 2010, a new form of a political action committee (PAC) became prominent in the political process, the Super PAC. These Super PACs are “independent-expenditure only committees” that can raise an unlimited amount of money from individuals, corporations, unions and others. These Super PACs are not permitted to contact the candidates themselves or campaigns. In an interview with NBC News on Sunday that aired Monday morning, President Barack Obama stated that he is “worried” about Super PACs and negative campaigning. Reports surfaced in April that the president’s re-election campaign would raise $1 billion. “One of the worries we have obviously in the next campaign is that there are so many of these so-called super PACs, these independent expenditures that are gonna be out there, there is gonna be just a lot of money floating around and I guarantee a bunch of it’s gonna be negative,” said Obama. He added that candidates cannot just call the other person “a bum,” but rather they have to outline their policies, initiatives and plans that would create good jobs, high wages and a growing economy. “And whoever wins that argument I think is gonna be the next president.” Supporters of Obama have formed Priorities USA, a Super PAC, which has raised $4.1 million and has criticized former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. “Would I love to take some of the big money out of politics? I would,” added Obama. “Unfortunately, right now partly because of Supreme Court rulings and a bunch of decisions out there, it is very hard to get your message out without having some resources.” The president said that he believes he will win that argument and garner a second term. He noted that he has gained a lot of experience since his historic victory in 2008. Obama did not say that he will meet with the future Republican nominee to disavow negative campaigning. Does the president “deserve” a second term? The president believes so, but noted that his administration is not done yet. “We’ve made progress, and the thing right now is to just make sure we don’t starting turning in a new direction that could throw that progress off.” This story comes as the president issued an executive order Monday that would place stricter sanctions on Iran’s central bank. The order would freeze all Iranian government assets held or traded in the United States. In his interview, Obama reiterated that the U.S. and Israel were “in lockstep” in regards to their policy on Iran. This story also comes as a new ABC News-Washington Post poll suggests that the president is gaining momentum on Romney. The survey showed that Obama holds a six-point lead over Romney with 51 percent compared to the former governor’s 45 percent. According to Real Clear Politics averages, Obama maintains a slight four-point lead over Romney.