Melissa Harris-Perry   |  March 02, 2013

How Michael Bloomberg is building a political army

After the Illinois house seat vacated by Jesse Jackson Jr. made national headlines this week, Melissa Harris-Perry looks at how Michael Bloomberg’s money can shape political races.

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This content comes from Closed Captioning that was broadcast along with this program.

>>> tuesday, the race to fill an illinois house seat vacated by jesse jackson , jr. made headlines. the winner of the democratic primary robert kelly became a political star overnight and not just because she won, but how she won. the gun control advocate state representative came from behind to beat former congressman debbie halverson who was backed by the nra. and kelly 's past runs right through new york city , and thanks to the city's mayor and avid gun control advocate. the billionaire spent $2 million of his own money to attack kelly 's foe. and be assured that that his was not the only money, but it is him positioning himself to the counterweight of the political juggernaut which is the nra. his super pac has become involved in eight state and congressional races since the creation late year, and five of the candidates he backed also supporters of gun control won. kelly understands that the bloomberg support is not really about him.

>> he didn't do it on my behalf. i look at it that he did it on behalf of the families around the country.

>> that is a lot of praise which is certainly better than things that the last congressman who vacated the seat in illinois was buying with his campaign contributions. yes, i am looking at you jesse, jr., but as much as progressives may be enthusiastic of what is a good billionaire with a super pac countering the influence of bad billionaires with super pacs. let me encourage everybody to pause for a moment, because a he healthy democracy is not for sale. even if you like the guy who is buying. up next, the scathing report that proves that the wealthy really are stacking the deck.