Question about Blimp funding

[Ronstock '08]

Since the company running the blimp is a "for profit" advertising company, why can't the official campaign help out with the funds for this? They've got some cash on hand to help out with this effort.

How would this be any different from buying ads on TV, radio or the newspaper?

 

[Exponent]

I believe one big problem is that if one campaign were to buy time for advertising for themselves, then the company would be required to offer equivalent services and an equivalent price to any other campaign. Clearly, though, the company isn't going to change the text on the blimp for another candidate every couple of days, and isn't going to launch a second blimp for another candidate. So to be safe, they can just refuse to offer the service to any candidate.

That's my unprofessional understanding of one of the issues, at least.

 

[goRPaul]

The official campaign certainly can buy the advertising. But it would be more amazing and monumental if they stayed out of it and let the grassroots work their magic. That way when it flies all along the east coast they can say it is "bought and paid for by Ron Paul supporters" instead of "paid for by the official Ron Paul presidential campaign." That second one will leave a bad taste in people's mouths.

 

[JordanL]

Since the company running the blimp is a "for profit" advertising company, why can't the official campaign help out with the funds for this? They've got some cash on hand to help out with this effort.

How would this be any different from buying ads on TV, radio or the newspaper?

They are already in kind of a loop-hole, gray area. If they accepted money from the campaign they may as well file the lawsuit themselves.

 

[rooteroa]

I just want to know why they couldn't take out a loan for the costs of the blimp until the contributions come in... would avoid this whole "OMG IF WE DONT HAVE IT FRIDAY WE'RE SCREWED"

 

[BlueGecko]

I have yet to meet a banker who will hand over hundreds of thousands of dollars in a few days for a company that relies on donations to function and main activity is flying a blimp around with no corporate sponsorship