Buchanan Closes In On $12.6M

Pat Buchanan has cleared the initial hurdles in the battle to receive $12.6 million in federal campaign funds earmarked for the Reform Party's presidential candidate.

Staff members of the Federal Election Commission have recommended to the panel that Buchanan be preliminarily certified for the funds. However, at least one commissioner opposed the proposal, expressing a desire to discuss the matter in public. Buchanan rival John Hagelin also seeks the federal funding.

"It is our understanding that the audit staff of the FEC, with total support of the general counsel, will be recommending to the commission that they certify Pat Buchanan to receive the $12.6 million in federal funds," Bay Buchanan, the candidate's sister and campaign chairwoman, said Thursday.

A public hearing on the issue is scheduled for Tuesday.

Whatever the decision, the losing side is certain to appeal in federal court.

Just how much of the $12.6 million Buchanan could receive has yet to be determined.

Any FEC action requires votes from four of the six commission members.

Buchanan's rival, Hagelin, also has filed documents with the FEC to claim the $12.6 million. FEC officials are expected to determine within a week whether he will be eligible for the money.

The Reform Party split at its convention in Long Beach, Calif., last month, producing Buchanan and Hagelin as dueling nominees for president.

Separately Thursday, a state judge in California declined to block Hagelin from campaigning under the party's banner.

A faction of the party aligned with Buchanan had asked Superior Court Judge James L. Wright to force Hagelin and his loyalists to immediately stop a broad array of political activities.

Wright refused to do so after meeting privately with lawyers for both sides. He also turned down their request that he declare a presidential nominee, but said he would hear arguments in the case next Wednesday. Attorneys said a ruling could be issued then.

Buchanan spokesman K.B. Forbes said the former Republican isn't a party to the lawsuit, filed by the Reform Party faction aligned with him.

The Buchanan faction had sought an order barring Hagelin and his allies from portraying Hagelin as the nominee, working to place him on state ballots, collecting donations, issuing news releases, operating the party's official Web site and recruiting members.

Last week, a federal judge in Lynchburg, Va., refused to designate a nominee as part of a similar suit brought by the Buchanan faction, saying he lacked jurisdiction.