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June 25, 2007
Can Someone Please 'Splain
...this new Virginia law to me?
Candidates for national office are discouraged from using Virginia to raise unlimited amounts of cash by a new requirement that at least half of what they raise be spent on campaigns for state office in Virginia.
On its face, it's pretty confusing. Why would I raise money for my presidential campaign, when half is already spoken for by the state to fund...what? The governor's race? State rep? Richmond mayor? I mean, do I get to pick the candidate my hard raised cash goes to?
And who determines what "at least half" equates to? What if someone doesn't like someone else's politics and determines more than half is required?
Posted by tree hugging sister at June 25, 2007 11:40 AM
Comments
I think that the idea is, if you are raising that money in the state of Virginia, it would be because you yourself are running for office there - or else, if the National Committee is holding the fundraiser, that half of it is distributed locally.
Of course, this will mean that national candidates will hold their fundraisers on the Maryland side, and Virginia will lose the business associated with the black-tie, huge hunk-o-change per plate dinners.
Posted by: nightfly at June 25, 2007 12:27 PM
It specifically says "candidates for national office", Diptera. That's what's got me scratching my head.
Posted by: tree hugging sister at June 25, 2007 12:33 PM
It's a tax. Or extortion. Take your pick.
Posted by: Ken S, Fifth String on the Banjo of Life at June 25, 2007 02:42 PM
There are federal constitutional problems with this, in terms of interfering with interstate commerce and discriminatinbg against out-of-state actors. Of course, the US Constitution doesn't seem to have ever stopped courts from allowing absolutely anything in the name of campaign finance "reform."
Posted by: Dave J at June 25, 2007 07:51 PM
True on all counts, Dave.
But the Courts also do it "for the children," don't forget.
Posted by: Mr. Bingley at June 26, 2007 07:44 AM
Ms Sister - I see where that could confuse you; but to me, it's simple. Obviously a national candidate would be raising the money for a national campaign. By demanding half of that revenue for state campaigns, the Commonwealth of Virginia essentially makes it impossible for a national candidate to raise funds there. As Dave said - the Virginia legislature is imposing a tariff on campaign fundraising in its state, to discourage out-of-staters from raising funds there.
Posted by: nightfly at June 26, 2007 12:48 PM