Oscar winner Morgan Freeman has just donated $1 million to Priorities USA, one of the key super PAC’s supporting President Obama, the Los Angeles Times reported on Thursday. He becomes one of the few African-Americans to make a huge donation to one of these groups.
“President Obama has done a remarkable job in terrible circumstances,” he said in a statement, which was obtained by the Times. “He has ended combat operations in Iraq, put in place sensible reforms of Wall Street, saved the auto industry and protected the healthcare of every American with a preexisting condition. He has recognized the full equality of all our brothers and sisters and placed impressive, accomplished women on the Supreme Court. In return for this he is being targeted by hundreds of millions of dollars in special-interest money. I for one am proud to lend my voice — and support — to those who defend him.”
The super PAC’s backing Obama have been far surpassed in fundraising by those supporting Mitt Romney, in part because many Democratic donors object to the idea of groups that can raise unlimited amounts from individuals. But key Democrats are urging wealthy Democrats to back the liberal super PAC’s so that Romney does not have a major spending advantage.
Steven Spielberg, comedian Chelsea Handler and producer Jeffrey Katzenberg have all donated to Priorities USA.