Enlarge November photo by Joe Ellis, The Clarion-Ledger via AP Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is among the Republicans considering a presidential bid who use PACs. Enlarge Treasurer Tim Crawford says Sarah Palin started her political action committee to "support the candidates and causes that she wants to support," not to advance a presidential bid. Enlarge Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, left, and Haley Barbour, unshown, have created fundraising accounts in states that allow their PACs to receive corporate donations. Outgoing Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, right, has raised $3.3 million through Freedom First, the federal PAC he created in the fall of 2009, and has also created PACs in Iowa and New Hampshire. 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, staff 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. CHART: Receipts and donations of possible GOP presidential contenders PRESIDENTIAL: Who'll be Republican candidate for 2012? 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." Aides to the politicians disagree, saying travel and consulting expenses help them support other candidates. 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, including one started last year in Georgia, which has no PAC donation limits. The PACs help him "participate politically both in Mississippi and around the country," said Henry Barbour, a nephew and top political adviser. "Now that he is giving active consideration to running, having the PACs does complement that interest in running in 2012." Donors include Gulfside Casino Partnership, which operates a casino in Barbour's home state and gave $25,000 in September. Company officials did not return calls. Campaign records show Barbour used the Georgia PAC to donate more than $36,000 to candidates seeking state-level posts. The PAC spent $207,000 on consulting and $3,100 to buy voter lists in Iowa, which hosts the first-in-the-nation presidential caucus. Henry Barbour said the governor stays "within the letter and the spirit" of the law. Other Republicans using PACs include: •Romney, a 2008 White House candidate, who has raised nearly $9.2 million in the past two years through a federal PAC and PACs in five states, including Alabama, which does not limit the size of individual contributions. Companies can donate up to $500 to PACs in Alabama. 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. The PAC's expenses include more than $63,000 for charter flights and about $40,000 each for speech-writing and foreign-affairs consulting. Treasurer Tim Crawford said Palin started the PAC to "support the candidates and causes that she wants to support," not to advance a presidential bid. Palin, he said, has collected millions more for candidates and the party through campaign appearances and endorsements. "The moment she puts up a Facebook post" endorsing a candidate, he said, "the candidates would all tell you, their contributions went through the roof." •Outgoing Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has raised $3.3 million through Freedom First, the federal PAC he created in the fall of 2009. Less than 10% — $214,111 — has gone to federal candidates and party committees, records show. Pawlenty launched PACs in Iowa and New Hampshire, two early voting states in the presidential nomination process. In all, the governor has donated more than $140,000 to Iowa and New Hampshire politicians, spokesman Alex Conant said. The goal of Pawlenty's fundraising is to aid fellow Republicans and "influence the national debate," he said. "If he were to run for president, it wouldn't hurt," Conant said, "but the PAC's focus was on 2010 and helping candidates in the short term." Possible GOP presidential contenders in 2012 have raised millions for federal PACs Six prominent Republicans who are potential 2012 presidential candidates operate federal fundraising political action committees (PACs). This chart shows the total receipts they have reported to the Federal Election Commission for the 2009-2010 election cycle and the amounts they have contributed to federal candidates and committees. Haley Barbour Mike Huckabee Newt Gingrich Sarah Palin Tim Pawlenty Mitt Romney Mississippi governor Former Arkansas governor Former House speaker Former Alaska governor Minnesota governor Former Massachusetts governor Federal PAC Haley's PAC Huck PAC American Solutions PAC SarahPAC Freedom First PAC Free and Strong America PAC Total federal receipts $1.1 million $1.8 million $705,279 $5.4 million $3.3 million $7.4 million Donated to federal candidates and committees $233,590 $137,500 $224,750 $516,500 $214,111 $827,708 Source: CQMoneyLine; Federal Election Commission Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. 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