Question: How are people able to donate more than $2300?

[RevolutionSD]

I saw that Kelsey Grammar (sp?) donated $6900 to Rudy Giuliani. How does he legally get to do that? This was reported on CNN.

Also everyone talks about how the corporations donate to these "front-runners", but how do they legally send them millions??

 

[jpa]

You can give $4600 per person to a campaign. $2300 for primary, $2300 for general election.


So a person + wife/husband can donate a total of $10,200 legally.

 

[aroberso]

I think we should expose the famous folk that are clearly warmongers. (Assuming this is Kelsey Grammar of Cheers fame).

Its harder to expose them for being socialists (Democrats), as that is probably good for their ratings, which is why they flock to the Dems in the first place.

 

[Mandrik]

Also everyone talks about how the corporations donate to these "front-runners", but how do they legally send them millions??

If Business A has 500 employees, and they all donate $250 each, then they can bundle it together and say the company gave $125,000. The reality is 500 people gave $250, and I'm pretty sure at the end of the quarter you can see said list of people.

 

[RevolutionSD]

You can give $4600 per person to a campaign. $2300 for primary, $2300 for general election.


So a person + wife/husband can donate a total of $10,200 legally.

So if you donate $4600 and your candidate doesn't make it to the general, you get $2300 back?

 

[RevolutionSD]

If Business A has 500 employees, and they all donate $250 each, then they can bundle it together and say the company gave $125,000. The reality is 500 people gave $250, and I'm pretty sure at the end of the quarter you can see said list of people.

So it's people within a company banding together to support a candidate? That doesn't sound right.

 

[austin356]

So if you donate $4600 and your candidate doesn't make it to the general, you get $2300 back?

yes

 

[RevolutionSD]

I think we should expose the famous folk that are clearly warmongers. (Assuming this is Kelsey Grammar of Cheers fame).

Its harder to expose them for being socialists (Democrats), as that is probably good for their ratings, which is why they flock to the Dems in the first place.

Yes, Grammar of Cheers fame. Supposedly Adam Sandler also donated to a republican (not Paul but not sure who).

 

[RevolutionSD]

bump

can anyone clarify this?

Grammar donates $6900 to RUDY, how does he get away with that legally?

 

[Mandrik]

So it's people within a company banding together to support a candidate? That doesn't sound right.

I was trying to find something to prove my point and stumbled upon this site:

http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.asp?CID=N00001669&cycle=2004

Read the red print on the right:

HOW TO READ THIS CHART: This chart lists the top donors to this member of Congress during the election cycle. The organizations themselves did not donate, rather the money came from the organization's PAC, its individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals' immediate families. Organization totals include subsidiaries and affiliates.

 

[garrettwombat]

i was looking at where this local grading company down the street from me donated 9000 to rudy... it blew my mind... i dont know how they did or how they got away with it... but every single day i put a ron paul slim jim on there mail flag

 

[austin356]

So it's people within a company banding together to support a candidate? That doesn't sound right.

its not right in that context. A company cannot bundle donations, but individuals within a company can. So if company X wants to "give" $100,000 to a candidate, executive A, working as an individual, can bundle 44 $2300 donations from other company executives. It will not show executive A as having donated $100,000, but rather 44 individuals donating $2300 each, who of whom must provide their place of employment when donating, thus effectively showing individuals from company X gave $100,000 to a candidate.

 

[alien]

If Business A has 500 employees, and they all donate $250 each, then they can bundle it together and say the company gave $125,000. The reality is 500 people gave $250, and I'm pretty sure at the end of the quarter you can see said list of people.

Yah but I bet the corporation then gives everyone a $250 bonus for Christmas. Loop holes everywhere.

 

[Mandrik]

its not right in that context. A company cannot bundle donations, but individuals within a company can. So if company X wants to "give" $100,000 to a candidate, executive A, working as an individual, can bundle 44 $2300 donations from other company executives. It will not show executive A as having donated $100,000, but rather 44 individuals donating $2300 each, who of whom must provide their place of employment when donating, thus effectively showing individuals from company X gave $100,000 to a candidate.

Thank you for clarifying. I'm still new to this all and figured I botched the explanation.

 

[aknappjr]

Its illegal under stupid and possibly immoral FEC law, but you could...

surprise...

give money to a friend. If they want to donate it to the campaign, I won't tell.