Obama Asks FEC About General Election Financing

Senator Barak Obama has submitted to the FEC an Advisory Opinion request asking the Commission about the General Election public funding mechanism.

As the AOR states, a number of press reports have noted that many the leading presidential candidates have decided to start raising money for the general election as well, preparing for the time when they may win the nomination. Essentially what Obama is asking is whether he can raise money for the general election now and hold the money in escrow until such time as he wins the nomination. Should he win, Obama would then be able to determine whether to use the private funds he has raised so far or refund them and accept public funding.

It is an interesting request because he is clearly desiring to keep his options open. But it also presents the Commission with a delimma. If the Commission is serious about trying to keep the Public Funding system alive and functional, if only for the General election, then clearly they will want to say yes, Obama can wait. But if they say no to Obama's request, then the Commission is essentially sgning the death warrant of the Public Financing system. No candidate is going to willingly handicap themselves in this or any future race if their opponents are unlikely to do the same.

From a policy perspective, this should be an easy decision for the Commission. Currently, many canddiates for Senator and Representative will raise funds for their general election campaign before their primary. This is not illegal and should the candidate lose the primary, it could present a logistical nightmare. For the sake of consistency the Commission should rule in favor of Obama.