What Happens to the Leftover Campaign Money?

[Her Sister]

https://gobling.wordpress.com/2016/04/09/what-happens-to-the-leftover-campaign-money/

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders is sitting on millions in campaign funds for his run for the presidency. He also faces the nearly impossible goal of gaining the Democratic nomination. So when his bid comes to its conclusion, what will he do with those millions?

There’s no clear answer but one possibility just might land a Republican in the White House.

Candidates whose campaigns end unsuccessfully are not required to disperse the donations. These funds may sit in their campaign account indefinitely. However, when failed candidates dispose of these funds, they must follow a set of regulations embodied in the 1989 Ethics Reform Act and detailed in Chapter 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations. A simplified version of those regulations is listed below.

REGULATED USE OF EXCESS CAMPAIGN DONATIONS

1. Funds cannot be used for personal use.
2. Funds may be used to pay campaign bills and debts.
3. Funds may be returned to contributors.
4. Funds may be donated to a charity.
5. Funds may be donated to a political party.
6. Funds may be donated to a political candidate.

As of this writing, Bernie Sanders’ principal campaign fund shows $17 million cash-on-hand. That amount will change as more reports come in to the FEC, showing both added donations as well as disbursements. So the cash-on-hand may rise or dip.

More in link with surprise conclusion...

[Her Sister]

1. Hmmm!

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[Her Sister]

2. BS refuses to help other DEMS!

Wondering why?

[IamMab]

4. She couldn't win any office in MA after 5 tries, but thinks she should be President?

[IamMab]

3. No worries about leftover Sanders money. His staff will ensure his campaign ends in debt.

You don't honestly think Tad Devine is just going to let a bunch of money get away without him skimming his cream off the top, do you? No, no, no, he's going to advise purchasing advertisements in every state until the convention, because he doesn't get paid otherwise.

I'm even willing to bet that HRC (and the DNC!) will be called on to help Sanders settle his millions of dollars worth of campaign debt when this is all finally over.

[Her Sister]

5. Wondering how many people would continue to send money to BS campaign

If they knew he might think of giving to Jill Stein and have a possibility to get Trump elected in the general?

[IamMab]

6. I just relish the irony that he, his campaign, and his supporters think he can just buy the primary.

And it's beyond ironic that the candidate spending the most money in the Dem primary, who is also running as the "Money is buying elections" candidate, is also losing, and badly.

[LiberalFighter]

7. I would take a wait and see response instead of trying to predict.

But I will predict that there would be consequences.

If Sanders does give aid to another political party then he will be persona non grata within the Democratic Party. It would be very foolish on his part if he took that route.

He wouldn't just alienate Democrats in Congress but also grassroots Democrats.

[Her Sister]

8. It's good to realize now for people who are giving money to him

but don't really want to hurt the Democratic nominee (whoever that is) in the general.

[Trenzalore]

9. Bernie won't have any leftover money

He's going to blow 30 million in a last ditch effort to get 90% of the California vote.

[jmowreader]

10. Can we say "$33 million on trolls"?

There's an exceedingly good chance that if Bernie loses the primaries AND doesn't get his entire program adopted as the Democratic platform, he will work his ass off to punish the Democratic Party by putting a Republican in the White House. Problem is, if he wins the primaries or he gets his way on the platform he will also put a Republican in the White House.