31/03/2015 | Potential Presidential Candidates Play The 2016 Waiting Game
Michael Falcone
The looming 2016 presidential campaign has no shortage of putative contestants, from the big-name players like Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton to the relative unknowns like neurosurgeon Ben Carson and former Maryland Gov. Bob Ehrlich.
- WE KNOW THEY'RE RUNNING - SO WHY DON'T THEY JUST SAY
SO? The looming 2016 presidential
campaign has no shortage of putative contestants, from the big-name
players like Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton to the relative unknowns like
neurosurgeon Ben Carson and former Maryland Gov. Bob Ehrlich. Most of them
are talking and acting like candidates, making frequent trips to early
primary states, raising money for their political organizations, lining up
campaign staff, and courting support from local Republicans and key
activist groups. But so far, only one has announced he's running for
president: Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. So what's causing the other current
contestants to wait? ABC's
CHRIS GOOD breaks it down: http://abcn.ws/1N97EQh
- BIG-TIMERS DON'T NEED TO DECLARE: For the likes of Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush,
perceived frontrunners whose last names precede them, there's less
advantage to jumping in early. Primary voters already know who they are,
so the media buzz of a campaign announcement isn't as valuable as it is
for someone like Cruz.
- IT'S ABOUT THE MONEY: Candidates want to post the biggest fundraising totals
they can, especially early in a campaign, in order to appear strong,
impress donors and prove they're viable. For that reason, it makes sense
to wait until the beginning of a quarter to start raising money. Once
you're a candidate, you're bound to federal campaign-money restrictions,
and you can't solicit donations over the $5,200 limit if that money will
be used to support your candidacy. But until then, you can get away with a
little bit more. Jeb Bush, for instance, reportedly raised money for the
super PAC that will eventually back his candidacy, appearing at a
$25,000-per-couple fundraiser this week. Once he becomes a presidential
candidate, he must officially cut ties with the super PAC - and only ask
for donations of $5,200 or less, according to the federal limit.
- AVOIDING THE MICROSCOPE - FOR NOW: Once a candidate announces, the media turns on the
bright lights, turning heightened attention to a candidate's policies and
record. That's one deterrent from getting in. "Better-known
candidates tend to wait as long as possible to avoid full-on media
scrutiny and regulatory oversight," said Eric Fehrnstrom, a senior
adviser to Romney on his presidential runs.
- SOME PRESIDENTIAL RACES START EARLIER THAN OTHERS: In 2008, when the White House was similarly about to
be vacated by a second-term president, Hillary Clinton announced her
campaign in January 2007, while then-senator Barack Obama and Mitt Romney
announced theirs in February. In 2012, things happened a bit later, with
Newt Gingrich entering in May and Romney in June. Things used to get
underway much, much later. Sen. Eugene McCarthy didn't announce his 1968
presidential campaign until November 1967. http://abcn.ws/1N97EQh
ABC News (Estados Unidos)
|