You Charge It, We Match It

Presidential campaigns that use the Internet to raise funds got a big lift when the Federal Election Commission took the first step toward approving federal matching dollars for credit card donations to candidates.

All the major presidential campaigns have Web sites that include fund-raising sections.

The easiest way for donors to contribute on the Web sites is by credit card, but existing FEC regulations expressly forbid candidates from collecting federal matching funds on those donations.

The FEC has tentatively approved a plan that would allow presidential campaigns to begin collecting credit card donations in anticipation of receiving matching funds for them on Jan. 1, 2000, the same time that they will get federal dollars for other eligible donations.

Although the commission, which is made up of six members split evenly along party lines, did not vote on the issue, members indicated that as soon as some details regarding the security and documentation of donations are resolved, the regulations would be changed.

"The FEC is going to take the legal steps to make these funds matchable," said Scott Thomas, commission chairman.

The commission acted in response to a formal request made by Democratic presidential hopeful Bill Bradley's campaign in March.

All five of the commission members at the meeting indicated that they would vote to pass the regulation in some form, but they left the decision to a written vote by each of the six commission members within the next 72 hours.

"The clear indication is that the commission wants to do this," said David Mason, a Republican FEC member. "It's just the details that need to be worked out."

Barring disapproval from the Congress or the president, the new regulations would take effect in a few months.

The plan calls for the campaigns to maintain security procedures, the details of which are still to be worked out. This would avoid illegal donations via corporate credit cards or from foreigners.

Many members of the commission stressed, however, that it would be unfair to place more restrictions on credit card donations than the more traditional forms, like checks or money orders.