Even on the nearly lawless frontier of bankrolling 2016 presidential campaigns, everyone agrees one important rule remains. Coordination is not allowed between a candidate’s official campaign organization and the mysterious entities dubbed super-PACs, or political-action committees that now fuel runs for the White House. There’s just one problem: Almost no one agrees exactly what coordination means. For example, leaders of John Kasich’s official campaign team and his super-PAC considered it legal to work together until virtually the minute the Ohio governor officially announced his presidential candidacy in July. But Jeb Bush’s super-PAC execs, fearful of violating the no-coordination rule, divorced themselves a week or two before the former Florida governor’s formal declaration.
The set-up of Kasich’s public events in New Hampshire and other states, as well as all literature and paraphernalia handed out, comes strictly from his official campaign. But Carly Fiorina’s super-PAC does not consider it coordination to set up the former Hewlett-Packard CEO’s campaign gatherings, as well as providing Fiorina handouts and even the placard for her lectern.
The Kasich campaign generally handles field operations such as collecting information about voters and potential supporters attending the governor’s rallies and town halls. But Bobby Jindal’s super-PAC usually takes the responsibility for those functions at the Louisiana governor’s appearances.
Full Article: Super-PAC rules are super-vague | The Columbus Dispatch.