DUers: I need help & info on starting a PAC.

[NEOBuckeye]

Think MoveOn.org, and specifically for my home state, Ohio. I'm not going to sit idle any longer and watch bastards like Kenneth Blackwell and Phil Burress, the man who originated and pressed the hateful anti-Gay amendment, turn MY state into a total red right-wing freak zone. Not without a real knock-down, drag-out fight. And not without beating these bastards back from whence they came.

I'm a 26 year-old would be teacher who has watched his dreams and ambitions wither and crumble further away from reach with every election in which the wretched Republican Party has gained power. I'm sick of these selfish bastards and their disgusting self-serving bullshit. And I'm sick of reading all of arguments here about what went wrong for us in this past election, when we all know damn well what happened, and what we need to do to stop it from ever happening again.

I'm ready to fight back against the right-wingers and fight for a better future for everyone by whatever means I can. It seems that starting a statewide grassroots movement is the best hope that we have in Ohio, and anywhere else. If you agree, and have any tips, ideas or advice, or are willing to work to see it happen, please let me know. You can do so via this thread, or by IM.

[Mike L]

1. MoveOn.org has a PAC,

http://www.moveonpac.org/whoweare.html#contact

You could try contacting them for info.

Actually, I found this on the web. It seems to be all you need to know about forming a PAC:

"(4) How to form a PAC? The procedure is described in detail in the FEC publication "Campaign Guide for Nonconnected Committees". Call FEC at 1-800-424-9530 to ask for one or more hard copies to be sent to you by mail.

This publication is also available online as a downloadable file. You will need to consult it frequently, and you will find the printed version nicer than the copy printed from your printer. The publication is 67 pages long.

A PAC can be formed in only a few steps:

*Choose a name for your PAC.
*Obtain a taxpayer ID number from the Internal Revenue Service for your PAC. For more information, call 1-800-taxform.
*Open a checking account in a bank for your PAC.
*Choose a Treasurer and a Custodian of Records (who could be the same person as the Treasurer).
*Register with the FEC with a simple, one-page registration form.
*Register with your state."

http://www.80-20initiative.net/pacfaq.htm

For the name of your PAC, I'd suggest that you not choose something like "Raging Leftists for Revolution". Names like "Americans for a Brighter Tomorrow" look better on your candidate's contributions reporting form. The Repugs always check to see who is contributing to the other side.

Good luck and thanks for taking ACTION.

[ewagner]

2. Great minds think alike

I've been thinking either a PAC or so-called 527...any information would be helpful.

[Mike L]

3. I think 527s will be busted by the FEC and US Sup Ct by 2008.

They may still be able to operate during the 2006 elections. 527s are more for the HUGE money contributors (like Soros). Donors can contribute up to $5,000 to a PAC, while still maxing out to individual candidates' campaigns.

[ewagner]

4. Thank you very much

I appreciate the advice.

Also...is it also true that a PAC can advocate for a candidate while a 527 cannot?

[Mike L]

5. That's my understanding.

Right now, the restriction on advocating the election of a particular candidate is interpreted as only prohibiting saying "Vote for John Smith", but I think that will tighten up also.

[ewagner]

6. Again

many thanks....
bookmarking..........

[Mike L]

7. If Democrats want to get serious about raising money for elections

at the grassroots level, PACs are the way to go, IMO. The Repugs have the US, state and local Chamber of Commerces helping thousands and maybe tens of thousands of businesses set up PACs to fund repug candidates. Chimp raised a lot of his cash from these PACs this election. I believe every state Chamber of Commerce has a how-to packet available to give to businessmen/women or trade associations who want to form PACs. If 527s are restricted like I believe they will be, we are in for a world of hurt if we don't have the PACs to match the Repugs.