Purpura Picks Rick Perry over Stephen Colbert

Updated: August 18, 2011 | 11:42 a.m.
August 17, 2011 | 12:14 a.m.

Score one for the (real) Republicans. Salvatore Purpura has resigned from Stephen Colbert's Super PAC, "Americans For A Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow." As we reported on Monday, Rick Perry filed his election papers in the SEC and had Purpura listed as his treasurer, too. For a brief period of time, on paper anyway, the two shared Purpura's services. "Obviously, there was a potential conflict of interest,” Purpura told Politico. “I told [Colbert lawyer] Trevor [Potter] on Thursday I would not be able to be treasurer anymore." Before Iowa's Ames straw poll, Colbert's Super PAC urged people to vote for "Rick Parry" instead of Rick Perry. Purpura credited a lag time in paperwork for the potential confusion. In an email written to Politico, Colbert praised his old treasurer's performance.

"We’re not surprised. Sal is the best in the business," Colbert praised. "That’s why we went with him. We’re happy for Sal and we are even happier that Governor Parry has sent the clear signal of which super PAC he trusts to receive all that unlimited money waiting to pour in on his behalf. Loud and clear, sir. Unofficially, loud and clear."

Colbert's Super PAC is allowed to raise as much money as he wishes and donate it to candidates accordingly, so long as they do not "officially" coordinate the money with any candidate. 

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