What happens to the money if a candidate

[quinnox]

drops out? For example, let's say Graham drops out, what happens to those millions he raised? Does he get to keep it for a possible future campaign, or does he have to give it back?

Or let's say Edwards drops out at some point, since he isn't running for an office in 2004, what happens to the millions he has raised?

[madmax]

1. Thanks for asking I have the same question.

Can they throw it into the DNC pot or what?

[quinnox]

2. I asked before

and got no replies. I know it is a technical question, but I am curious about this. Maybe I will have to go to a library and ask for help regarding this question.

[stevebreeze]

3. The money can be transfered to another political fund

sometimes it goes in to a state fund or another federal fund. If the money goes into another federal campaign fund it must abid by the same rules as pac money. It can also be given to charity.
:kick:

[madmax]

5. If like bush the candidate refuses matching federal funds

they can pretty much do as they damn well please, right? Is that how these bush 'Pioneers' bundle money for his campaign. How the hell did he manage to raise 3 mil today in Chicago? Who were the donors? Ah, well just a little midnight madness on my part. I can't get over the amount of $$$$$ spent on elections. There oughta be a law - each one gets x amount from the Federal Treasury and that's it. Run along now -may the best man win. Yeah right. :(

[efhmc]

4. I want to know also.

There is a place where one can pledge monetary support to whoever wins the candidacy for the Dems and that is where my money is going.

[im4edwards]

6. whatever he or she wants to happen

they are not obligated to do anything.

They sometimes pass it along to a specific other candidate, sometimes the party. Usually keep it around in case they decide to run for something else at some point. And sometimes they give some back, generally for large contributors (not sure if that can happen anymore with MccCain-Feingold, I mean the large part).

Or they could buy Ferarris, Dom Periogne and real estate.

[cosmicdot]

7. Smirk must have millions sitting around ... just from 2000

much probably not even accounted for at open secrets

above campaign cash, PAC money, etc. ... the money poured into his "Florida Recount" chest, and to fund the so-called 'Inaugeration' ...

http://www.opensecrets.org/bush/index.asp

[im4edwards]

8. you got it

he probably carried some Texas govenor money along when he ran for prez. And when its all said and done he'll probably do some capital improvements at the ranch.

This is a reason that many polititians of questionable scruples get into it to begin with. Free money is a powerful lure.