(Image source: ABC)

BY CHRISTINA HARTMAN

Thanks for the money. Now -- move along.

When the Mitt Romney camp announced a $12 million fundraising haul this summer -- the campaign told reporters...

“We are pleased that independent groups will be active in fighting this entrenched power so the country can get back to work.” (PER New York Times)

Those independent groups -- Super PACs, or Political Action Committees, can raise unlimited funds and campaign on behalf of political candidates and causes without coordination with said candidates.

So imagine the surprise when the former Massachusetts Governor said this on MSNBC Tuesday morning:

ROMNEY: “Campaign finance law has made a mockery of our campaign season. We really have to let campaigns raise the money they need, and get rid of the super PACs.”

Hello pot, meet kettle? It was an irony more than a few political reporters were quick to tweet.

From Talking Points Memo’s Benjy Sarlin: “Romney sure hates those nasty Super PACs he helps raises money for.”

Then again, Huffington Post’s Sam Stein and Paul Blumenthal note -- if Romney’s done an about face -- he’s not the only one.

“President Barack Obama has criticized the proliferation of independent electoral groups, going so far as to warn that they are a threat to democracy. For his reelection campaign, however, Obama will have the benefit of several such organizations, including one started by former White House aides.”

In addition to the campaign cash, the Romney-supportive super PAC Restore Our Future has worked overtime on attacks bashing his closest opponent, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Like this one, released the very same day Romney called for a crackdown on super PACs.

“Know what makes Barack Obama happy? Newt Gingrich’s baggage. Newt has more baggage than the airlines.”


And what say the target of those attacks? The LA Times reports -- even as Newt Gingrich complained about the influence of Super PACs Monday...

“...his longtime advisor, Rick Tyler, was planning to join one of two Gingrich super PACs, Winning Our Future. ... In joining the new super PAC, Tyler reunites with another colleague from the Gingrich private sector years, Becky Burkett, who directed fundraising for Gingrich projects, working with Tyler.”

So -- it might appear -- some politicians think super PACs aren’t cool unless they’re helping THEIR respective campaigns. Not comfortable with that? The Week says -- don’t hate the player, hate the game.

“The [Supreme Court] ruled that it is not the business of government to decide how much or what kind of political speech is appropriate, and that more speech ultimately means a more informed electorate.”

...Or a more well-greased government.