A Question about Donating and Spreading it out..

[Lord Xar]

Okay,

I am not maxed yet... I "could" just max out.. (shit, I have NO IDEA how much I donated so far..hahhahaha - is there a way to find this out?)..

My question is, I want to sort of "space it out"... a little in first quarter then more in the next quarter etc...

Should I just max out, or filter it thru the quarters evenly?

[DjLoTi]

Go all in for the 3rd Q

[davidhperry]

Go all in for the 3rd Q


Agreed completely. The more people who donate early, the greater the chances of the media taking notice - which will bring more money into the campaign.

[Taco John]

Is there a max out? I've been donating $20 bucks a month since June, but I gave $40 in September to reward Dr. Paul for such a fantastic showing during the New Hampshire Fox Debate. (If only he'd have demanded some respect from Bill O'reilly using the same fire he showed in New Hampshire this month would have been perfect... ah, well...)

I have intentions of donating $20 (or more) per month until November 2007. I hope that the government will permit me to support my candidate in this way. *rolling my eyes*

[Paul4Prez]

The maximum donation is $2300 for the primary (and another $2300 for the general election) per person.

You can also make individual expenditures beyond that, but check the FEC rules. I think you have to track them and report them if they are over $250....

The independent expenditures rules are here:

http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/indexp.shtml

[mport1]

Definitely max out now. The sooner the better so he can get more publicity for money raised and also so he can use the funds.

[Taco John]

I first have to check to see if there are internet regulations that would legally prevent me from examining the FEC rules.

"The bureaucracy is expanding to meet the needs of the expanding bureaucracy."
-Unknown

[bbachtung]

Xar,

If you go over the max, the campaign will have to refund it but will also have to include the over-the-max amount as a contribution when filing the disclosure report with the FEC. I read an article about "adjusted" numbers for Hillary, etc. in which people had their credit card contributions "accidentally" doubled by having the transaction run twice. After all of the media hype around the numbers, the campaign quietly filed an adjusted report about a month after the deadline.

I'm not suggesting that RP supporters do this, but if you over-contribute, it is not the end of the world (the campaign will fix it).

[M.Bellmore]

Do other things we do count toward that total (running our own ads, flying those planes with RP message, etc.)?

[ronpaulyourmom]

You need to max out now, here's why:

An analysis of the total donations, and of the donation growth rate, going back through June, suggests that Ron Paul will raise nearly $5,000,000 for Q3.

Speculation out there for McCain is 4-5 million raised
For Fred Thompson, 6 million raised
For Rudy / Romney, 10-15 million raised.

If everybody who can goes ahead and maxes out now, we can push RP over the top and get to third place. These numbers will be played in the media way more than the previous numbers were, the importance cannot be underestimated. There's a horde of people out there who do not want to donate to Ron Paul because they think he doesn't have a shot and it'll be wasted money. You need to prove them wrong with Q3 numbers. Maxing out now will pay off 2x more than waiting.

I'm considering going into a little credit card debt and maxing out this week. Anybody else who can afford it and is 100% confident in their ability to pay down any debt, please consider doing this as well.

[ronpaulhawaii]

I agree with the maxout in Q3 approach

1- spreading it out takes more time from all involved
2- boosting his numbers now will encourage others who will boost his numbers later.

my2cents

[Richandler]

Other campaigns have huge lists of maxed out donors. And a lot of that was done in Q1. Unfortunately rich people are allowed to donate their chumpchange compared to the average person who can manage merely a couple hundred at great sacrafice. It's an uphill battle and we need very $1 we can get.

[LibertyEagle]

Do other things we do count toward that total (running our own ads, flying those planes with RP message, etc.)?

No.

[Cowlesy]

The best part is, and what I hope inspires people, is Congressman Paul carefully spends each dollar you donate. When you kick in $25, you know it isn't blown on something stupid that doesn't further the cause like "geographical dispersions of conservatives identified as "very conservative" in Wyoming".

When you donate what you can comfortably give, you know that he values your sacrifice and will spend it wisely.

P.S. GO CLEVELAND BROWNS!

[Bradley in DC]

Go all in for the 3rd Q

No doubt.

[Thomas_Paine]

It's time that we speak to EVERYONE we know who has even pretended to like Ron Paul. Stress how VITAL it is to DONATE NOW if you ever plan to!!! Let's beat FRED!

[mport1]

It's time that we speak to EVERYONE we know who has even pretended to like Ron Paul. Stress how VITAL it is to DONATE NOW if you ever plan to!!! Let's beat FRED!

It's not true support unless you help out by donating money or time.

[bygone]

It's not true support unless you help out by donating money or time.

I was under the impression voting was still important. Maybe not?

[RP08]

is there a way to find this out?)..




Yea, go all in early.

I don't know of an easy way to find out how much you're already in (hopefully someone has a link to a resource for others' benefit as well). The way I do it is periodically sort all my email by subject and go down the row of confirmation emails adding them up in calc. I suppose I could also start a little spreadsheet to simplify keeping track of it. :)

Other folks, don't forget, max for a couple is $4600 :cool:

https://www.ronpaul2008.com/donate/?c=1787

[ronpaulyourmom]

Yea, go all in early.

I don't know of an easy way to find out how much you're already in (hopefully someone has a link to a resource for others' benefit as well). The way I do it is periodically sort all my email by subject and go down the row of confirmation emails adding them up in calc. I suppose I could also start a little spreadsheet to simplify keeping track of it. :)

Other folks, don't forget, max for a couple is $4600 :cool:

https://www.ronpaul2008.com/donate/?c=1787

If you're feeling ballsy, it's $9200.

[ItsTime]

Okay,

I am not maxed yet... I "could" just max out.. (shit, I have NO IDEA how much I donated so far..hahhahaha - is there a way to find this out?)..

My question is, I want to sort of "space it out"... a little in first quarter then more in the next quarter etc...

Should I just max out, or filter it thru the quarters evenly?

check your online bank/cc statements and look for "RON PAUL 2008 PCC-MOPO"

[slantedview]

I just spammed everyone I know asking for Ron Paul donations before the 30th.

Get on it!

[Scribbler de Stebbing]

I'm not suggesting that RP supporters do this, but if you over-contribute, it is not the end of the world (the campaign will fix it).

That all takes staff time that could be spent doing better things. I've had to file these reports before, and I'm sure the software is MUCH better these days (I was working in DOS back then -- LOL), but it's still a major headache. Don't intentionally over-donate.

Still, many campaigns are accepting the second $2,300 toward the general election.

Or just get married, Xar. Then you can contribute an extra $2,300 for her.

[bbachtung]

That all takes staff time that could be spent doing better things. I've had to file these reports before, and I'm sure the software is MUCH better these days (I was working in DOS back then -- LOL), but it's still a major headache. Don't intentionally over-donate.

Still, many campaigns are accepting the second $2,300 toward the general election.

Or just get married, Xar. Then you can contribute an extra $2,300 for her.

Good point.

Yeah, if Xar gets married, then not only does he double his contribution limit, but he can ask that all of his guests donate to the campaign in lieu of wedding presents.

[Corydoras]

Or just get married, Xar. Then you can contribute an extra $2,300 for her.

List of things to do for Ron Paul this week:
1. Find someone to get engaged to.
2. Get married.
3. Donate a second $2300.
4. ...
5. Ron Paul FTW!
:p

[angelatc]

Good point.

Yeah, if Xar gets married, then not only does he double his contribution limit, but he can ask that all of his guests donate to the campaign in lieu of wedding presents.

I think this is the best idea this board has ever developed.

[bbachtung]

I think this is the best idea this board has ever developed.

I stole it from the Ron Paul official website; I remember one of the daily updates mentioning an anonymous couple (in early June, I believe) who pledged to ask for contributions to Ron Paul's campaign in lieu of gifts.

So whoever came up with it is a genius.

Bar mitzvah gifts for Ron Paul?

Confirmation gifts for Ron Paul?

Birthday gifts for Ron Paul?

Anniversary gifts for Ron Paul?

[Scribbler de Stebbing]

List of things to do for Ron Paul this week:
1. Find someone to get engaged to.
2. Get married.
3. Donate a second $2300.
4. ...
5. Ron Paul FTW!
:p

My to do for this week:

Find 2 females for Xar and Corydoras willing to get married for political purposes, who have not already donated.

Bonus round: not only do you get to donate the extra $2300 per wife (and too bad you're not a polygamists, because we could go gangbusters with this strategy), but you get the extra $2300 for the general. Don't tell me THAT's not worth it!

[Lord Xar]

Well, how about I "try" out the goods first before I make that commitment. I always ask for samples before I order something.....

[thechitowncubs]

Dear John Lambrechts,

Thank you very much for your donation of $100.00 to the Ron Paul 2008 Presidential Campaign.

Your donation will allow us to expand and grow our campaign.

We depend on donors like you to help us spread the message of freedom, peace and prosperity through Ron Paul’s candidacy.

Thanks for being a part of the campaign!

Your confirmation number:
33015-1LU25542GG315182E

:cool:
I TRY AS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT :/

[bbachtung]

Welcome to the forums, John. Very impressive contribution for anyone, let alone a high school student.

[Ridiculous]

Just consider it an investment that will pay off when he eliminates the IRS:D

[jj111]

Max out now and "donate" by buying campaign signs at the campaign website store. Once you get your signs, see if you can get people to agree to a donation to local or national in return for the campaign signs. They are less than $1 each in bulk.

[ChicagoLawyer]

In addition to what's been said above, maxing out now is important because the Q3 reports will be the last time they are a major news story. Q4 of 2007 will come out in the middle of January. While they will be reported, of course, the main event then will be the actual voting in Iowa, NH, Michigan, and whoever else jumps into the game. If someone wins Iowa but does poorly in Q4 reporting no one will care about the money. The headline will be "frugal campaign wins Iowa" not "Winner was a loser at raising cash."

However, in mid-November money will be THE story. Let's go for it!

[OptionsTrader]

Just to clarify, the FEC website states the limits in terms of each election. Is it correct that the Primary and the general election are each independent elections and thus a couple can contribute 4600 for the primary, and if RP wins the primary, we can contribute another 4600? That is how I read the rules anway.

http://www.fec.gov/ans/answers_general.shtml#How_much_can_I_contribute

[Original_Intent]

Just to clarify, the FEC website states the limits in terms of each election. Is it correct that the Primary and the general election are each independent elections and thus a couple can contribute 4600 for the primary, and if RP wins the primary, we can contribute another 4600? That is how I read the rules anway.

http://www.fec.gov/ans/answers_general.shtml#How_much_can_I_contribute

Correct.

[Joe Knows]

Just to clarify, the FEC website states the limits in terms of each election. Is it correct that the Primary and the general election are each independent elections and thus a couple can contribute 4600 for the primary, and if RP wins the primary, we can contribute another 4600? That is how I read the rules anway.

http://www.fec.gov/ans/answers_general.shtml#How_much_can_I_contribute

That is correct. It seems to me that if you have already maxed out, you can still make a donation for the general election. This way you can count it as money raised, but the campaign cannot use the money until the general election. If the candidate does not make it to the general election, the money has to be refunded. That might be a good way to pump the numbers this week, but I would check with the campaign first.

[ronpaulyourmom]

That is correct. It seems to me that if you have already maxed out, you can still make a donation for the general election. This way you can count it as money raised, but the campaign cannot use the money until the general election. If the candidate does not make it to the general election, the money has to be refunded. That might be a good way to pump the numbers this week, but I would check with the campaign first.

I don't know about the money being refunded, I would place some doubt in that. They differentiate primary vs. general election for a reason, if it was all refundable they would just assign a grand total.

Either way though, we can trust Ron to find a good use for the money...

[freedominnumbers]

Can 1 year olds contribute 2300 as well?

If so I'm sure my son would like to donate on someone's behalf if you have maxed out.

[Corydoras]

Can 1 year olds contribute 2300 as well?

This pdf says no.
pp 12-13
http://www.fec.gov/pdf/nprm/contribution_lim_pro/fr67n223p69927.pdf

However, if your kid wants to hold a sign or otherwise volunteer, this is okay.
:o