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GOP PACs hum in advance of 2012

Fundraising avoids campaign limits

WASHINGTON — Six prominent Republicans considering challenging President Obama in 2012 have raised millions in campaign accounts that allow them to get around federal campaign laws that limit presidential fundraising.

By law, presidential contenders cannot collect money for the race until they establish an exploratory or a presidential fundraising committee.

However, Republicans and Democrats in recent elections have raised money in separate accounts — known as political action committees (PACs) — to build campaign organizations. It is not illegal.

The six have used their PACS to pay for activities such as political consulting and travel that can advance their White House ambitions. They are Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, former House speaker Newt Gingrich, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.

Campaign-finance watchdogs, such as Paul Ryan of the Campaign Legal Center, say the activity skirts the intent of presidential fundraising accounts, which have stricter contribution limits. Individuals can donate up to $10,000 over a two-year election cycle to a federal PAC, but no more than $4,800 to a presidential campaign.

In addition, Barbour and Romney have created fundraising accounts in states that allow their PACs to receive corporate donations. Federal law bars corporations from giving directly to presidential and congressional candidates.

"Contribution limits exist to reduce the threat of corruption," Ryan said. "These slush funds that potential presidential candidates are setting up violate at the very least the spirit of those … limits."

Roughly $1 of every $10 of federal PAC money raised by the six potential GOP contenders has been spent on contributions to federal candidates and committees through Nov. 22, a USA TODAY analysis of campaign-finance reports shows.

Barbour has three PACs. The PACs help him "participate politically both in Mississippi and around the country," said Henry Barbour, a nephew and top political adviser.

Other Republicans using PACs:

•Romney, who has raised nearly $9.2 million in the past two years through a federal PAC and PACs in five states.

Fourteen percent went to candidates and groups. Spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said the PACs "were formed to help elect Republican candidates and promote conservative principles."

•Palin, who has raised more than $5.4 million. The PAC gave $516,000 to federal candidates and committees in the 2010 election. Treasurer Tim Crawford said Palin started the PAC to "support the candidates and causes that she wants to support."