Reply #2: Misleading, you have to have a presidential exploratory committe at least to collect money [View All]

[ShadowLiberal]

Neither Romney or Bachmann have said they'll run. Neither have a presidential exploratory committee either.

Legally that means they can't raise money for a presidential campaign. Obama hasn't even said he's going to run yet, so he's also forbidden from raising money for 2012 (though I've heard rumors Obama will officially announce he's running mid april, which will let him raise money).

This money is just their PACs that legally can't spend that money on their own presidential campaign, though part of Bachmann's sum was on her congressional reelection campaign that can transfer it to a presidential run, but it's just 1/4 of the amount she raised.