WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush and Sen. John Kerry finished their primary campaigns with millions of dollars in the bank that could help cover the cost of a possible recount.
Kerry had about $45 million in leftover money that he could transfer to the Democratic Party for that purpose, while Bush had $16 million that could go to the GOP, the nonpartisan Center for Public Integrity watchdog group said Monday.
In addition, Bush had about $10 million in his legal fund, and Kerry had about $7 million.
Each could also raise unlimited donations from individual donors to finance special recount funds. The Federal Election Commission has not issued a formal ruling on what money presidential and congressional candidates could raise if there are recounts, but four of the six commissioners said they believe unlimited individual funds could be raised as Bush and then-Democratic rival Al Gore did for the 2000 ballot dispute in Florida.
On the Net: Center for Public Integrity: www.publicintegrity.org/