Prez Hopefuls Stay Potential for Money Reasons

Many pundits have criticized likely Republican presidential candidates for their slowness to officially enter the race, saying it puts them behind President Barack Obama’s re-election effort. But there’s a method to the madness, and it’s all about money, Politico reports.

Gingrich: Not Just Being Coy

Now the potential candidates can operate political groups that accept contributions exceeding the $2,500 per election limit mandated for declared presidential candidates. The likely candidates give a bit of the money from the groups to fellow Republicans in other races as campaign contributions. But they also put the money toward travel to early primary states, political staff, polling, and building voter- and donor files.

As soon as any of the potential candidates says publicly that they may run -- “test the waters” is the Federal Election Commission’s term -- they are subject to fundraising and spending limits.