Hi, everyone.

I'm sure that Obama has quite a bit of money left over from his political campaign. Do any of you know what he is doing with that leftover money?

Also, what is the law with regard to left over money in political campaigns?

It used to be that a retiring politician could keep the remaining money for his personal use, but that has changed. Now, I believe, it has to be used in an upcoming campaign, returned, or given to the candidate's national committee. There may be a few other options as well.

Thanks, DG. Does anyone know what Obama is doing with his excess money?

Candidates with leftover funds may do any or all of the following:

· return the money back to the contributors;

· donate an unlimited amount to charity;

· donate an unlimited amount to a national, state, or local political party committee;

· contribute money to other candidates, subject to allowable federal contribution limits;

· convert their campaign committee into a political action committee;

· transfer the money to a future federal campaign account.

Therefore, if President-elect Barack Obama finds himself with a surplus of cash from his 2008 presidential campaign account, he could essentially use that money for a future federal campaign, say, a 2012 re-election bid.

The rules are slightly different for Republican nominee John McCain because he acceped public funding during the general election. McCain may exercise any of the above options when it comes to leftover funds from his primary or pre-convention campaign account. But any surplus funds from the taxpayer-financed $84.1 million he received after accepting the GOP nomination must be returned to the U.S. Treasury. - CNN, November 5, 2008

The McCain campaign set aside $9.4 million to pay for a mandatory FEC audit for having accepted the public money.

The McCain campaign is also going to donate all of Sarah Palin's pretty clothes, right?