Colbert’s super PAC raises serious money from ‘donors’ with silly names

Introduction

Pat Magroin, Ibin Yerkinoff, and Frumunda Mabalz – these are among the supporters of comedian Stephen Colbert’s super PAC, “Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow,” which reported raising $825,000 through December.

Say the names out loud, slowly — maybe you better not — and you get a pretty good sense of how serious the late-night television host is about the 2012 election.

It is in fact an impressive total for a group whose purpose has been to make fun of the political process while shedding light on the confusing world of campaign finance.

A note attached to the filing claimed that as of January 30th, the PAC had raised $1,023,121.24.

The note also contained a few words from Colbert, reading in part “Yeah! How you like me now, F.E.C? I’m rolling seven digits deep!” Colbert’s group is supporting a candidate — or ex-candidate — Herman Cain, who has started his own super PAC, “Cain Connections.”

Meanwhile, other outside spending groups have quietly raised impressive amounts on their own. And unlike Colbert’s PAC, which has raised its money almost exclusively from small donors, albeit with some questionable names, the more serious groups are taking full advantage of the post-Citizens United campaign finance regime to draw from big donors and corporations.

Updated 2/1/2012 at 11:14 AM EST

John Dunbar contributed to this report.