Bloomberg: Would-be Candidates are Acting Boldly This Year to Avoid Legal Limits on Political Contributions

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Paul S. Ryan, senior counsel for the Campaign Legal Center, said Bush's PACs and Simon's group—depending how its money is spent—may be in violation of campaign finance laws once Bush launches a campaign.


"There is a provision that in my view prohibits any entity directly or indirectly established by a candidate, or the agent of a candidate, from spending any money in connection to a federal election if that money was raised outside the federal limits," Ryan said in an interview. "Obviously the Bush operation has a different interpretation of the law."

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Ryan's group, along with Democracy 21, has filed formal complaints with the Federal Election Commission against Bush, Walker, O'Malley and former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, accusing them of "actively organizing and running early presidential bids without abiding by federal rules related to fundraising limits and disclosure."