By Michael Steinberg

THE LESSER KNOWN CANDIDATE

There is a federal law that was enacted in an attempt to give lesser funded candidates a chance to compete. The way it works is if a candidate for President is able to collect at least $5000, in increments of no more than $250 per person in campaign contributions, in 20 states, the candidate would be eligible for federal matching funds. To get matching funds, the candidate has to agree not to raise and spend over a certain amount. Most, if not all major contenders, will not do that.

Although in theory, this sounds as if Congress is trying to give lesser known candidates a chance to compete against better funded or wealthy candidates, in practice, at least so far, it has been ineffective.

If a lesser known candidate can get on the ballot in most states and territories, and agrees to abide by the rules with respect to eligibility for matching funds, we should try to help that candidate qualify for matching funds, if only to show the political establishment that we want a President who is not controlled ( or at least not as controlled) by special interests.

Eligibility for Federal Matching Funds