Mike Pence will get $720,000 of taxpayer funds for his failed presidential campaign

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: UK Independent

1 hour ago


Former Vice President Mike Pence is set to receive a total of $717,373 from taxpayer funds — certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) — for his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination last year. The FEC had previously certified a $100,000 payment in federal funds for Pence’s campaign in May, and has today confirmed that it will authorize an additional $617,373. An FEC representative confirmed that this number could still increase.

According to OpenSecrets, the Pence campaign had amassed a debt of $1.3 million as of May this year. The funds are matched through federal taxpayer money, authorised by the FEC and paid by the US Treasury, and comes from the $3 collected on individual income tax returns.

This is part of the federal matching funds program, which allows presidential candidates to “match” their campaign costs for the primaries, under certain conditions. The candidate’s campaign must have raised at least $100,000, of which $5,000 must be collected in at least 20 different states, in amounts no greater than $250 per individual. There are also other FEC restrictions regarding strict spending limits.

However, no major presidential candidate has used this scheme since Barack Obama opted out in 2008, so it may be somewhat surprising that Pence has chosen to recover taxpayer funds for a primary campaign which had little chance at success.

Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/mike-pence-president-fec-b2588386.html

[jimfields33]

1. Disgusting how much it costs to run for president

Both trump and Harris will spend close or over a billion each. And it’s for a 400K job. Ridiculous!

[Think. Again.]

2. Yeah, no...

"...so it may be somewhat surprising that Pence has chosen to recover taxpayer funds for a primary campaign which had little chance at success."

That isn't surprising at all.

[IronLionZion]

3. Mike Pence had a presidential campaign?

[eggplant]

4. It's volunteered money, not tax dollars.

so meh.

[BumRushDaShow]

5. "It's volunteered money, not tax dollars."

But "volunteered" when FILING your taxes and going into the treasury for a specific purpose from a "tax payer". I.e., those ARE "tax dollars".

[eggplant]

8. It is completely voluntary. And yes, I know where it comes from.

The 1040 federal income tax form asks taxpayers whether they'd like to designate $3 of their taxes paid to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. When taxpayers check "yes," three of their tax dollars are placed in the Fund. Checking the "yes" box does not increase the amount of tax that taxpayers owe, nor does it decrease any refund to which they are entitled. The tax checkoff is the sole source of funds for the public funding program.

https://www.fec.gov/introduction-campaign-finance/understanding-ways-support-federal-candidates/presidential-elections/public-funding-presidential-elections/

Don't want to participate? Don't check the box. IT'S NOT A TAX.

[BumRushDaShow]

9. From your excerpt

their tax dollars are placed in the Fund.

And yes it's "voluntary" but it is still "tax dollars" since it is being identified and pulled for collection from a federal tax return form.

No one called it a "tax", but the person donating IS a "tax payer" (or they wouldn't have filled out the form in the first place if they were exempt from paying any taxes - outside of some exceptions for claiming certain tax credits, etc.).

[eggplant]

10. OFFS.

[JI7]

6. If they do this it puts restrictions on money raised/spends doesn't it ?

[LeftInTX]

11. Yes, I think so.

[travelingthrulife]

7. Never saw a public dollar they couldn't steal

I am sure Jesus would approve.

[oasis]

12. At least he won't be criticizing folks on welfare.

Not anytime soon, that is.

[czarjak]

13. Worth hanging around for?

[padfun]

14. That's a small amount

It could barely keep a small office open.

[question everything]

15. Will the other candidates do the same?

[BumRushDaShow]

17. Few use that "matching funds" option anymore

because there are limits that don't allow for the unlimited fundraising that we have grown accustomed to seeing now.

Politics
Obama To Decline Public Financing

June 19, 2008 / 12:16 PM EDT / The Politico


In a widely expected move that will give Democrat Barack Obama a huge cash advantage over Republican John McCain, Obama announced Thursday morning that he will be the first modern presidential candidate to decline public financing in a general election. That means that Obama's campaign, which has shattered fundraising records, won’t accept the federal system’s $84 million in taxpayer money, but also won’t be subject to its $84 million spending limit.

McCain, the Arizona senator whose fundraising has lagged substantially behind Obama’s, has said he will accept public financing, making it likely he will rely on the Republican National Committee to help make up the difference between the public grant and Obama’s unprecedented fundraising potential.

From the beginning of the race through the end of April, Obama, an Illinois senator, had raised $266 million for his presidential campaign, compared with $93 million raised by McCain. Obama’s fundraising advantage isn’t just about the numbers, though. He’s raised his cash primarily from smaller donors over the Internet, freeing him from the time-consuming and expensive fundraising circuit upon which McCain has relied.

If Obama’s campaign keeps up the pace of small online contributions — both from new and returning donors — and is able to win donations from supporters of his vanquished rival, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, it’s estimated he’d be able to raise as much as $500 million.

(snip)

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-to-decline-public-financing/

[Vinca]

16. Note to self, don't check the box on the tax form about automatically giving to campaigns.

I'd rather my money go directly to Democrats.