perfectly legal and shine a light on how the financing of elections has dramatically changed since the Citizens United ruling. Speaking in 2014, Trevor Potter said: [Colbert] was able to show America the loopholes (or "loop-chasms" as he called them) in the laws designed to regulate coordination between candidates and supposedly "independent" groups. By having his own Super PAC and 501(c)(4), Stephen could evolve right alongside the campaigns—or often be a step ahead of them. His understanding of the possibilities inherent in the legal confusion was keen enough to discover and exploit absurd legalities before it became clear that actual candidates and political activists were doing the same thing. Potter called Colbert's ability to not only quickly understand complicated financial and legal concepts but to also make them funny "pure genius". Funds In an October 2011 email to his supporters Colbert explained how his 501(c)(4) could be used to legally launder anonymous donations to his Super PAC, "Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow". In a January 31, 2012, FEC filing, the Super PAC reported raising over $219,000, making a grand total of $1.02 million raised. The filing also listed donors who gave more than $200 to the Super PAC, including Lieutenant Governor of California Gavin Newsom ($500), actor Bradley Whitford ($250), and actress Laura San Giacomo ($250). In a press release Colbert said, "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." Colbert Super PAC reported raising over $33,000 in February 2012, with approximately $780,000 cash on hand. In the final pre-election filing for the 2012 general election, Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow reported $776,731 still on hand, with total contributions for the election cycle of $1,231,916. Colbert Super PAC had more donors in the state of Texas than Restore Our Future, the super PAC supporting Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign. Ad campaigns On August 10, 2011, the first ad by the Super PAC, titled "Episode IV: A New Hope" ran in Iowa, telling Iowans to write-in "Rick Parry" ("With an 'A' for America -- With an 'A' for IowA") instead of Rick Perry at the Ames Straw Poll. The following day the second ad ("Behind the Green Corn") was run. Two Iowa television stations ran the