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"By law, presidential contenders cannot collect money for the race until they establish an exploratory or a presidential fundraising committee.
However, Republicans and Democrats in recent elections have raised money in separate accounts — known as political action committees (PACs) — to build campaign organizations. It is not illegal.
The six have used their PACS to pay for activities such as political consulting, staff and travel that can advance their White House ambitions. They are Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, former House speaker Newt Gingrich, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.
Campaign-finance watchdogs, such as Paul Ryan of the Campaign Legal Center, say the activity skirts the intent of presidential fundraising accounts, which have stricter contribution limits. Individuals can donate up to $10,000 over a two-year election cycle to a federal PAC, but no more than $4,800 to a presidential campaign.
In addition, Barbour and Romney have created fundraising accounts in states that allow their PACs to receive corporate donations. Federal law bars corporations from giving directly to presidential and congressional candidates."
| Haley Barbour | Mike Huckabee | Newt Gingrich | Sarah Palin | Tim Pawlenty | Mitt Romney |
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| Mississippi governor | Former Arkansas governor | Former House speaker | Former Alaska governor | Minnesota governor | Former Massachusetts governor |
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| Federal PAC | Haley's PAC | Huck PAC | American Solutions PAC | SarahPAC | Freedom First PAC | Free and Strong America PAC |
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| Total federal receipts | $1.1 million | $1.8 million | $705,279 | $5.4 million | $3.3 million | $7.4 million |
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| Donated to federal candidates and committees | $233,590 | $137,500 | $224,750 | $516,500 | $214,111 | $827,708 |
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| Source: CQMoneyLine; Federal Election Commission |
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