What happens to the money that presidential canditates don use?
Most major party presidential candidates participate in the federal matching program, which works like this: -For the primary, candidates can receive a $250 match from public funds for each individual donation they receive. To be eligible for this match, they must raise at least $5,000 in individual donations in 20 different states. They must also agree to abide by spending limits, which is $10 million adjusted for inflation. (In 2004 this was $37.31 million.) -For the general election, if major party candidates want public funds, they must agree to receive no private contributions. They receive a grant from the government of $20 million adjusted for inflation. (In 2004 this was $74.62 million.) -Candidates also can receive grants to fund their national party convention. The base grant is $4 million, and like the other grants, is adjusted for inflation. (In 2004 this was $14.5 million.) There are more specific requirements the candidates must also reach in order to be eligible for thes
