Clark to Accept Public Financing

[dajabr]

WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential hopeful Wesley Clark, who flirted with the idea of skipping public financing despite a late fund-raising start, announced Thursday he will stay within the system.

The decision means Clark will be limited to $45 million in overall primary spending and will face state-by-state spending caps. He will be eligible for up to about $19 million in government funding.

Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean last week became the first Democrat ever to turn away public financing and its spending limits for the primaries. Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry is considering skipping the system, which offers a match of up to $250 for each contribution up to the limit.

Clark, who started his campaign in late September, raised $3.5 million in the first two weeks. He expects to raise at least $6 million in the current fund-raising quarter, which runs from October through December.

More: http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/7256217.htm