Rev. Al not part of in-crowd for fed elections funds

New York Daily News ^ | 1/02/04 | MAGGIE HABERMAN

[kattracks]

The Federal Election Commission is set to dole out funds to five major Democratic presidential wanna-bes today, but the Rev. Al Sharpton isn't one of them - even though he says he's entitled. Sharpton said on New Year's Eve that, despite sluggish fund-raising so far in the Democratic primary, he had finally reached the threshold to qualify for the federal matching funds handed out by the FEC.

"I'm saying this the first time, we're filing ... ," Sharpton said on CNN's "Inside Politics."

"We have now been able to reach matching funds. I will be qualified for matching funds where we are getting money."

Sharpton spokeswoman Rachel Noerdlinger said they will file today, but she did not say how much the campaign had raised.

An FEC spokesman couldn't be reached for comment.

The Harlem-based reverend is one of two Democratic hopefuls seeking matching funds who aren't expected to get them today. The other is Carol Moseley Braun.

In order to qualify for matching funds, a candidate has to raise at least $5,000 in 20 different states.

Sharpton had raised $258,915 when the last filing period ended on Sept. 30, records show.

Though his fund-raising has sagged, Sharpton has been gaining ground in the South, with a recent poll showing him tied for second with Gen. Wesley Clark in South Carolina. And in some national polls, he's tied with Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.).

Both Howard Dean, the former governor of Vermont, and Kerry have declined to request matching funds, which requires candidates to stick to spending caps.

Of the remaining candidates, Clark gets $3.7 million; Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) gets $3.6 million; Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) gets $3.4 million; Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt gets $3.1 million; Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich gets $735,665.

Originally published on January 2, 2004

[samtheman]

So the government takes money from taxpayers and gives it to political campaigns.

And that's good for democracy because...

[G.Mason]

"We have now been able to reach matching funds. I will be qualified for matching funds where we are getting money."

And after all Al, isn't that what it's all about?

[Jaxter]

"So the government takes money from taxpayers and gives it to political campaigns."

I believe it's voluntary. It's that little box on the tax return that I never check.

[Phantom Lord]

Do you honestly believe that? Come on. If not a single American checked the box on their tax returns would the matching funds go away? Hell no!

[Jaxter]

Maybe I'm mistaken. What are the other sources for Federal matching funds? Could you point me to a url I could check?

[Phantom Lord]

Your not mistaken. That is the supposed, and publicly disclosed source of matching funds. But as with every other tax levied by the federal government, all the money ends up in the general fund and is spent as they damn well please.

While impossible, the only way to test the 'system' would be to get everyone to not check that box. And if accomplished, and matching funds were still given out then we know its just a charade.

[samtheman]

Oh yeah. The box. I don't check it either. That many people check it?