It is taxing the politicians - not only does the government get a cut of their "fundraising", but they get any unused funds - and those add up too.
For example, in 2008 presidential candidates raised over $1 billion - and they didn't spend it all - so the $15 million Obama didn't use, the $38 million McCain didn't use, and the $50K McKinney and Baldwin each didn't use........................into the kitty!
My guess would be that it would bring in hundreds of millions each election year, maybe hitting into the billion realm during more intense presidential election years. It certainly wouldn't pay off the debt in one fell swoop, but hundreds of millions here, a billion there and it adds up.
It also helps challengers because the incumbent cannot carry money over from election to election. Was also hoping to also get rid of some of the shady "contribution" maneuvers since they will be getting more attention from the IRS and needing to keep better records with these taxes.
The sheer number of races is actually where it starts to really add up - school board, mosquito, commissioner, sheriff, coroner, judges, comptroller, etc. Florida has 25 congressional districts and each of those races had an average of 1.5 million raised for it in 2008. Heck, the District 3 candidate raised about $560K and the District 17 candidate raised $1.5 million and ran UNOPPOSED!
For example, in 2008 presidential candidates raised over $1 billion - and they didn't spend it all - so the $15 million Obama didn't use, the $38 million McCain didn't use, and the $50K McKinney and Baldwin each didn't use........................into the kitty!
My guess would be that it would bring in hundreds of millions each election year, maybe hitting into the billion realm during more intense presidential election years. It certainly wouldn't pay off the debt in one fell swoop, but hundreds of millions here, a billion there and it adds up.
It also helps challengers because the incumbent cannot carry money over from election to election. Was also hoping to also get rid of some of the shady "contribution" maneuvers since they will be getting more attention from the IRS and needing to keep better records with these taxes.
The sheer number of races is actually where it starts to really add up - school board, mosquito, commissioner, sheriff, coroner, judges, comptroller, etc. Florida has 25 congressional districts and each of those races had an average of 1.5 million raised for it in 2008. Heck, the District 3 candidate raised about $560K and the District 17 candidate raised $1.5 million and ran UNOPPOSED!
The little bitty acorn grows into huge oaktrees. You guys still do not cease to amaze me. 
