WASHINGTON — The website of former Sen. Rick Santorum’s Political Action Committee, America’s Foundation, states that the organization “is committed to helping candidates and causes who share Sen. Santorum’s commitment to conservative principles.”
The main beneficiary of the PAC’s fundraising last year was Mr. Santorum’s image.
In the second half of 2009, according to federal filings, the PAC raised $710,000. Of that total, $557,000 was spent on direct mail and related expenditures — building a nationwide base of donors and supporters for Mr. Santorum. Just $38,500 was donated to candidates or causes.
“He has been committed to growing his base of supporters, folks that share his views, his conservative views,” said Santorum spokeswoman Virginia Davis. “And he’s doing that through direct mail, reaching out to known conservative donors.”
A reason for that can be found in a letter Mr. Santorum sent to supporters in January, stating that he’s considering a run for the presidency in 2012.
Pre-presidential-run PACs — common among potential White House candidates this early in the campaign cycle — are intended primarily to promote their founder. Donations to PACs do not count against presidential campaign limits, so the money can help fund early exploratory efforts, and if and when the candidate does form a campaign committee, he or she can go to those donors again. The PAC can give no more than $5,000 to any campaign, including the founder’s own.
Mr. Santorum was unavailable to be interviewed for this story, Ms. Davis said.
His potential rivals for the Republican presidential nomination who don’t currently hold political office also have active PACs.
Former Massachusetts governor and 2008 presidential hopeful Mitt Romney raised $3.57 million in 2009, and his spending was more balanced among direct mail, telemarketing and Web services. The PAC gave about $70,000 to candidates and causes.
Tags: Rick Santorum
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