Fred Thompson's 'exploration’ causes confusion on USA election rules
[[Image:Fred_Thompson.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Fred Thompson]]
{{date|August 1, 2007}}

The day after [[Fred Thompson]]'s "exploratory committee" announced that it raised just over US$3 million dollars, the type of fundraising is causing "confusion" over [[w:Federal Election Commission|Federal Election Commission]] (FEC) rules for the "exploratory" status.

[[w:Congressional Quarterly|CQ Politics]] reports, "Friends of Fred Thompson" also is registered with the [[w:Internal Revenue Service|Internal Revenue Service]] as a “527” political organization, so named because it is regulated under Section 527 of the tax code." Once Thompson decides to become a candidate, he must then meet FEC disclosure requirements. CQ Politics noted, "two issues — whether Thompson has raised more money than could be expected to be used for exploratory activities, and whether his months of 'testing the waters' have been a 'protracted period of time' as outlined by federal law as qualifying someone as a candidate — Thompson could have trouble." According to Paul Ryan, FEC program director for the [[w:Campaign Legal Center|Campaign Legal Center]], "Reasonable minds could disagree." 

''[[w:Washington Post|The Washington Post]]'' noted, "Campaign finance experts said yesterday that if Thompson were to wait until Sept. 6 to launch a campaign, he would be legally permitted to delay filing a finance report with the Federal Election Commission until Jan. 31." Nonetheless, "Thompson campaign officials stressed his commitment to disclosure."

In addition to the personnel changes previously reported, today a top fundraising consultant, Kim Kaegi, resigned from the Thompson campaign. According to the AP, "Kaegi called it a 'stretch' to speculate that her departure was related to lower-than-expected totals."

== Related news ==
*{{wikinews|title=Fred Thompson raises $3 million, falls short of $5 million goal|date=July 30, 2007}}
*{{wikinews|title=Changes in Fred Thompson US Presidential campaign|date=July 25, 2007}}
*{{wikinews|title=Documents show Fred Thompson worked for Pro-Choice group|date=July 19, 2007}}
*{{wikinews|title=Group claims Fred Thompson lobbied for abortion-rights, Thompson denies|date=July 7, 2007}}
*{{wikinews|title=Fred Thompson accused of being a "mole" for Nixon White House|date=July 5, 2007}}

==Sources==
*{{source|url=http://www.wkrn.com/nashville/news/ap-fundraising-consultant-leaves-fred-thompson-campaign/110473.htm
|title=Fundraising consultant leaves Fred Thompson campaign
|author= 
|pub=WKRN-TV
|date=August 1, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,291784,00.html
|title=Has the Air Gone Out of the Fred Thompson Presidential Campaign Before it Ever Left the Ground?
|author=Brit Hume
|pub=FOX News
|date=August 1, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.nytimes.com/cq/2007/07/31/cq_3195.html
|title=Fred Thompson’s Long ‘Exploration’ Raises Money — and Confusion 
|author= Marie Horrigan
|pub=New York Times/Congressional Quarterly
|date=July 31, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3433173
|title=Analysis: Thompson's Road a Bit Bumpy
|author=  
|pub=ABC News
|date=July 31, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/07/31/the_noncandidates_fan_dance.html
|title=Will Thompson Tip His Hand?
|author= 
|pub=Washington Post
|date=July 31, 2007}}

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[[Category:2008 United States presidential election]]
[[Category:Elections]]
[[Category:Politics_and_conflicts]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Fred Thompson]]
[[Category:Federal Election Commission of the United States]]
Fred Thompson


The day after Fred Thompson's "exploratory committee" announced that it raised just over US$3 million dollars, the type of fundraising is causing "confusion" over Federal Election Commission (FEC) rules for the "exploratory" status.

CQ Politics reports, "Friends of Fred Thompson" also is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a “527” political organization, so named because it is regulated under Section 527 of the tax code." Once Thompson decides to become a candidate, he must then meet FEC disclosure requirements. CQ Politics noted, "two issues — whether Thompson has raised more money than could be expected to be used for exploratory activities, and whether his months of 'testing the waters' have been a 'protracted period of time' as outlined by federal law as qualifying someone as a candidate — Thompson could have trouble." According to Paul Ryan, FEC program director for the Campaign Legal Center, "Reasonable minds could disagree." 

The Washington Post noted, "Campaign finance experts said yesterday that if Thompson were to wait until Sept. 6 to launch a campaign, he would be legally permitted to delay filing a finance report with the Federal Election Commission until Jan. 31." Nonetheless, "Thompson campaign officials stressed his commitment to disclosure."

In addition to the personnel changes previously reported, today a top fundraising consultant, Kim Kaegi, resigned from the Thompson campaign. According to the AP, "Kaegi called it a 'stretch' to speculate that her departure was related to lower-than-expected totals."
2008 United States presidential election Elections Politics_and_conflicts United States North America Fred Thompson Federal Election Commission of the United States