Public funds will play limited role

WASHINGTON – President Bush and John Kerry have accepted $75 million each in government financing for their campaigns for the White House, but tens of millions more will be spent by the political parties and partisan special-interest groups to influence the race.

The Republican and Democratic national committees can spend roughly $16 million each in coordination with their presidential nominees – and unlimited amounts independent of them.

Outside groups are expected to weigh in with millions of dollars more in television and radio advertising and voter drives aimed at impacting the election.

Though Kerry and Bush are limited in their own campaign spending, there are benefits to taking the public financing, a program created after the Watergate scandal to try to lessen the influence of big donations in the presidential race. While each will continue raising money for his party, the candidates can focus most of their attention on campaigning and there will be more money available for their parties and congressional candidates.

Much of the Kerry and Bush money will be consumed by advertising spending and payroll costs. Kerry’s campaign announced last Tuesday that more than half its $75 million federal general-election grant – $45 million – will be spent on advertising during the final two months before the Nov. 2 election.