FEC to Divide $15.4M Among 6 Candidates

WASHINGTON - The government will give six presidential candidates $15.4 million combined in federal matching funds on Friday, less than half of the amount it divided among presidential candidates during the same period in 2000.

The Federal Election Commission (news - web sites) certified the first checks on Wednesday for those participating in the presidential public financing system in 2004. The FEC's first checks in 2000 totaled $34 million for eight candidates. In 1996, the amount was $37.4 million for 10 hopefuls.

Wesley Clark (news - web sites), the retired Army general from Arkansas who entered the race in September and months after his rivals, will get a $3.7 million payment, the largest amount of federal matching funds. That's followed by $3.6 million for Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman (news - web sites), $3.4 million for North Carolina Sen. John Edwards and $3.1 million for Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt (news - web sites). Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich (news - web sites) will get $736,000 and perennial presidential candidate Lyndon LaRouche (news - web sites) will get $839,000.

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The FEC said Wednesday that it may not have enough money in the fund come February when the second batch of payments is due to candidates. As a result candidates will receive reduced payments until the fund is replenished by contributions from 2003 tax returns.


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If dean accepted the matching funds he wouldn't have gotten the full value...not even close. Luckily he opted out of the matching funds

"If dean accepted the matching funds he wouldn't have gotten the full value...not even close. Luckily he opted out of the matching funds"

Dean took a chance, he put his trust in the people, he believed the people would stand up and help him win back America. Now it's the job of the people to help win back America. Give everything you can, whenever you can send in a small donation, it all adds up.

That is disgusting.

I dont think you can't blame that on anybody but the 'Kooch' himself.

At least the late-night 30 minute political commercials will be entertaining.

The Kucinich campaign said it will file for an additional $2.6 million on Friday, reflecting additional contributions made through Dec. 4.


I don't think DK has a snowball's chance, but he must have raised late money.

I'm troubled by the FEC running out of money. Wonder how long some Dems will have to wait for next payment. I think Dean may be the only Dem with a chance against * simply because of the $$$$'s.

seems awful familiar.

Oh, yeah.