GOP candidates: smart campaigning or flouting?

After Jeb Bush officially joined the increasingly crowded primary ballot on the Republican side for president on Monday with his official announcement, there are still some lingering questions beginning to rise. The questions are not targeted to who is running, but who is NOT running as well as why Bush waited so long to announce. The question as to why some of what are expected to be leading contenders for the GOP nomination have not announced they are running for president. The answer comes down to two key reasons: publicity and money.
There are 11 Republicans who have announced they are officially vying for the nomination, however, key candidates such as Scott Walker and Chris Christie are still holding out. Jeb Bush held out until Monday before making his announcement. Prior to the announcement, Bush was gearing up for his campaign, along with Walker and Christie, by making public appearances, media interviews, book tours, and meeting with donors… which all adds up to a campaign. Those actions being taken by all three individuals would suggest a run for the presidency. However, what do they have to gain from holding out and not announcing their run. They gain one very large benefit, which has also caused criticism from others alleging the potential candidates are abusing the rules. It all comes down to money.
The underlying secret and strategy maneuver of the 2016 campaign is that candidates who are planning to announce their campaign do not officially announce it, such as Bush (until Monday) and Walker, can use (and as some say…abuse) this position to meet with super donors and gain financial support which does not have to be declared. Candidates not running for office can use super PACS, which are simply campaign accounts that allow a politician unlimited contributions, to raise millions of dollars for a campaign without it being declared. Once a candidate announces he/she is running for office then every cent donated to their campaign must be contributed and there are limitations as to how much an individual or business can donate and how much can be raised. Without an official announcement, however, there are no limitations and they can raise as much money as they can.
The new rules of campaign finance came after the U.S. Supreme Court Citizen’s United Decision in 2010 which effectively took away most political spending limits on corporations and unions. In effect, the soon-to-be-candidates can raise as many millions of dollars as they can for as long as they want without the fundraising limits and restrictions that come once they declare their intent.
As a result, the question is why would someone such as Senator Ted Cruz, Rand Paul or Marco Rubio announce their candidacy so early if the strategy Bush, Christie, and Walker are using seems to be a significant advantage. The answer is simply the rules, or lack of, do not apply to current office holders like Cruz or Rubio.

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