Official Poll - 1/9/08 Should Ron Paul Accept Matching Funds?

[adam1mc]

Are you guys aware that accepting matching funds limits the way he could spend it? It's not a blank check for 20 million.

I've heard this, but can you provide more details?

Can he spend it on advertisements? If so, then so be it.

 

[lemnad]

I wish he would, but he probably will not sacrifice his principles. He has not done it in 30 years in Congress so he will probably not start now. All the money we waste though, that would be some well spent and could possibly save the future of our country.

 

[paul_v]

I say if the other candidates take the funds then Dr. Paul should too. It makes it a level playing field.

 

[BobSmith]

How is it against his Views, the government took my money and we deserve to get it back. If anything falling to take the matching is against his views. Remeber when Tim Rusert asked him about asking for money for his district in spending bill, no one camplained about that.

 

[UtahApocalypse]

I voted No. The campaign has plenty of money, they just have no clue how to use it effectively.

 

[runderwo]

Besides, Ron Paul inserts earmarks for his district. It's against his beliefs but he understands that ultimately, the system is broken and he must return as much money as he can to his district's taxpayers.

The difference is that he votes against the bill, so the blood isn't on his hands, and that the money would be spent on the war if it weren't earmarked.

Asking for matching funds is far different from that.

 

[RPatTheBeach]

Why should he? It's not like he's going to spend it anyway?

But, I think he should. Use the system to fight the system.

 

[mconder]

Well, it's good to know that 35% of us are in good company with RP! The other 50% are those who will be going back to establishment candidates after this is all over. They are those who never truly got RP.

 

[RPatTheBeach]

Well, it's good to know that 35% of us are in good company with RP! The other 50% are those who will be going back to establishment candidates after this is all over. They are those who never truly got RP.

This money is not taken from the people, like taxes are. This is money volunteered by people. There is a MAJOR difference. If we don't take it, the government sits on it, and collects the interest.

 

[dseisner]

Well, it's good to know that 35% of us are in good company with RP! The other 50% are those who will be going back to establishment candidates after this is all over. They are those who never truly got RP.

Don't talk about shit you don't know about. Just because I voted to take matching funds, doesn't mean I would EVER vote for one of the other assholes running. I know RP better than you know your mother.

 

[Isupportliberty]

no he shouldn't (and he won't) because it would make him a hypocrite. It is not for us to decide anyway, so threads like these are pretty useless and only serve to divide us.

 

[dseisner]

no he shouldn't (and he won't) because it would make him a hypocrite. It is not for us to decide anyway, so threads like these are pretty useless and only serve to divide us.

Of course it's for us to decide. Dr. Paul always says, "as long as the supporters want me in, I'm in it." Besides, we raised all that money for him. Dr. Paul will always respect the input of his supporters and the American people, that's just the kind of man he is.

 

[CriticalThinker]

If Ron doesn't take the money - the feds will use that money to purchase more BULLETS for shooting people - they will use the money to make WAR - they will use the money to do horrible things ....

TAKE THE MONEY! - ITS OUR DAMN MONEY!

 

[Isupportliberty]

Of course it's for us to decide. Dr. Paul always says, "as long as the supporters want me in, I'm in it." Besides, we raised all that money for him. Dr. Paul will always respect the input of his supporters and the American people, that's just the kind of man he is.

it's a non-starter because it goes against his principles... if 70% of the grassroots thought Dr. Paul should eat babies because it would get him some media coverage, I highly doubt he would throw away his principles to make his supporters happy.

 

[smartguy911]

go for it

 

[Joe Schwartz]

Restrictions on Spending

Are you guys aware that accepting matching funds limits the way he could spend it? It's not a blank check for 20 million.

Apparently, few people here are aware of that. See these Wikipedia articles for more details:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campaign_finance_in_the_United_States#Public_financing_of_campaigns
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidential_election_campaign_fund_checkoff

"At the federal level, public funding is limited to subsidies for presidential candidates. To receive subsidies in the primary, candidates must qualify by privately raising $5000 each in at least 20 states. For qualified candidates, the government provides a dollar for dollar "match" from the government for each contribution to the campaign, up to a limit of $250 per contribution. In return, the candidate agrees to limit his spending according to a statutory formula."

"The spending limit increases every cycle due to inflation. The FEC estimates that the limits for the primary election will be $40.9 million, of which a candidate must abide by state limits of 65.4 cents per person of voting age population in a state, or $817,800, whichever is greater."

 

[banjojambo9]

That is our money! consider it a tax refund!

 

[Jeremy]

can anyone explain what this is to me?

 

[MayTheRonBeWithYou]

Can he use matching funds for an independent run?

 

[Kotin]

He Will Not, It is Not in His Character.