PAC Wars

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty joined the PAC club today. That is, he announced he'll form a political action committee, something every other possible 2012 Republican White House candidate has besides Newt Gingrich, Bobby Jindal, and Charlie Crist. PACs raise and give money to other candidates and politicians, and, in so doing, to curry favor, court endorsements, and build up the profile of their leaders. The strength of one's PAC--the money it's able to throw around--reflects on the status of the candidate.

It also lets figures like Pawlenty raise money for a potential run. For instance, Mike Huckabee, who is out of politics at the moment, is conducting all his political activity through Huck PAC. Same goes for Sarah Palin and SarahPAC. And for Mitt Romney and his Free and Strong America PAC.

Pawlenty, who will not seek a third term in 2010, could use one. Hence, his Freedom First PAC will start raking in the cash.
Here's a list of other possible 2012 hopefuls, their PACs, listed by the amount of money raised + given so far this year. (Bobby Jindal is not included in the list; I couldn't get an official answer on whether he has a PAC, but signs of one are non-existent, and a Louisiana political operative I talked to hadn't heard of one.) UPDATE: Jindal's office confirms the governor does not have a PAC.

Mitt Romney, Free and Strong America PAC:
$2,318,789 raised, $1,845,423 given

Eric Cantor:
$1,004,593 raised, $983,451 given

Rick Santorum, America's Foundation:
$494,547 raised, $556,905 given

Sarah Palin, SarahPAC:
$732,867 raised, $276,200 given

Mike Huckabee, Huck PAC:
$304,673 raised, $336,589 given

Mike Pence, Pen PAC:
$115,588 raised, $111,593 given

Haley Barbour, Haley's PAC:
$14,050 raised, $14,560 given

Ron Paul, Liberty PAC:
$1,221 raised, $24,871 given

This article available online at:

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2009/09/pac-wars/27039/