In the most egregious case, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush spent the runup to his presidential campaign wooing donors to cut giant checks to a super PAC that went on to do nothing but support his campaign. Ryan and other campaign finance watchdogs filed a string of formal complaints against candidates in both parties in 2016 for failing to declare themselves candidates early enough, but the FEC never acted. 'ur lawyers said we needed to get that set up as quickly as possible so we could legally begin taking care of the thousand things necessary to get the campaign up and running,' Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign manager David Plouffe wrote in his book, 'The Audacity to Win,' about the early days of that effort. 'Because he has not made a decision, no further filings or steps are required,' said Brad Komar, who runs Hickenlooper's PAC.Įventually, creating a formal campaign becomes a necessity. In practice, however, that rule is almost never followed and regulators have done little over the years to enforce it.Īn adviser later insisted to Colorado Public Radio that Hickenlooper was 'joking,' so no legal trip-lines were crossed.

Of course, nearly every potential 2020 presidential candidate would say they haven't made a final decision yet, with many sure to add that they're planning to discuss it with their families over the holidays.īut technically, according to Ryan, most of the likely 2020 field should at least tell the FEC they're 'testing the waters' for a presidential bid, since they've likely met the two requirements: Raising at least $5,000 and taking exploratory steps, such as traveling to early presidential primary states and even calling around to activists there. But the FEC will let us get away with it if you just stay quiet.'' 'Their lawyers have told them, 'Keep your mouth shut, because if you don't, there are legal ramifications. Ryan of the good government group Common Cause. 'It's a charade played by candidates,' said campaign finance expert Paul S.

Other words for running for president