The Bush campaign has found a way to increase its ad budget by exploiting a loophole in campaign finance laws. The Dems were unaware of the loophole until a reporter pointed it out for this story.
Ken Mehlman, Bush’s campaign manager, said in an interview that federal election law allows the campaign access to party money “provided that your message is broader than the individual candidate and includes a discussion of the overall agenda and the message of the party.” The Republican National Committee has $93 million on hand.
This month the Republicans began airing television and radio commercials paid for jointly by the president’s re-election campaign and the RNC and including the words “our leaders in Congress.”
The ads say Bush and congressional leaders have plans to strengthen homeland security, expand the economy and reduce health care costs. Some also attack Kerry and “the liberals in Congress.”
The president appears briefly in each of the TV ads and his voice is heard in the radio commercials
It’s frustrating to be on the side that’s always a day late and a dollar short.
Thanks to Kos for highlighting this story.