SarahPAC Rakes in $733K in Six Months
PAC isn't exactly a Republican campaign-finance ATM
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Alaska departing governor has $450,000 in cash on hand for travel and future appearances.
Sarah Palin’s political action committee raised nearly $733,000 in the first six months of 2009 and has more than $450,000 in cash on hand, according to new filings with the Federal Election Commission.
While Republicans are hopeful that Palin will be a big fundraising help for them, her PAC hasn’t exactly been a campaign-finance ATM. Since its formation in late January, it appears to have made just two political contributions — $5,000 to Palin’s 2008 running mate, Sen. John McCain, and $5,000 to Alaska’s Republican senator, Lisa Murkowski.
The majority of the money raised by SarahPAC so far has come in the form of “unitemized contributions,” meaning donations of less than $200 each. PACS are not required to name those small donors in their filings with the FEC. The remaining money came through more than 700 different $200-plus contributions made by donors from all around the United States.
According to its FEC records, SarahPAC’s biggest expenditure during the reporting period was the more than $103,000 it spent on EDonation.com, a Virginia-based firm that specializes in online fundraising.
When Palin leaves the governor’s office at the end of the month, she’ll be able to use SarahPAC to underwrite the cost of politically related travel and appearances – as well as to donate up to $10,000 each to federal candidates
Copyright Politico
Posted Saturday, Jul 18, 2009 - 5:05 PM EST
