Legal Commentary

Update on Whether Obama Will Offer to Help With Hillary's Campaign Debt

By Jeralyn

An update to my earlier post about the Barack Obama campaign considering offering to pay off Hillary Clinton's campaign debt and cammpaign expenses if she drops out:

Edsall has this update:

Under federal campaign finance law, the Obama campaign cannot directly pay off Clinton's debts, or the $11.43 million she has loaned the campaign, because that would violate campaign contribution limits. But if Obama is the nominee, he and his donor base could provide invaluable help to her in raising money through signed appeals, joint fundraisers and by other methods.

The Obama campaign does not want to be identified as having discussions about Clinton's finances. Obama aides used the term "chit-chat" to dismiss any such discussions.

More...

The campaign is also considering whether its supporters will be "outraged" by offers of helping Hillary, particularly if any of the money goes to Mark Penn.

It's late, we'll make this an open thread.

Update: 1:00 am, comments closing.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on May 09, 2008 (boomark / email).