How do you plan for the future if you failed in the farming business, made below average grades in school, became a millionaire politician who probably won’t get re-elected, and never really held an honest job? You do everything you can to form a SuperPac! Sal Purpura, Rick Perry’s Presidential Campaign treasurer has asked the Federal Election Commission whether Perry can use some of his $270,000 worth of leftover campaign cash to start a political action committee. Purpura said the campaign has also considered an option that would allow Perry to start a Super PAC, with which the governor could raise and spend unlimited amounts of money on behalf of other candidates.
Rick Perry? Kingmaker? Stranger things have happened… The campaign offered no indication what Perry would do at the helm of such a PAC. Perry spokeswoman Catherine Frazier said the governor “just wants to look at what options there are,” adding, “He’s going to continue, regardless of what happens, to work to promote policies of fiscal and social conservatism, and he’s going to work to support causes and candidates with those same goals in mind.”
Though Perry endorsed Newt Gingrich after dropping out of the presidential race last month, he has yet to campaign with Gingrich publicly and in recent public speeches has avoided mentioning Gingrich by name. The Austin American-Statesman reported this week, though, that Perry has made fundraising calls on Gingrich’s behalf. Newt can certainly teach the failed farmer from Paint Creek how to make real moneyin politics! One challenge for Perry on the PAC front: Many donors to his campaign have begun asking for their money back. Purpura said the campaign has received refund requests for about $100,000 of the funds left in the governor’s coffers.
Purpura also asked the FEC if Perry, in the event that the federal PAC request is rejected, can transfer the money to his state gubernatorial campaign committee. Though the governor recently said he’d “absolutely” consider running again for president in 2016, he also hasn’t ruled out running for governor again in 2014. Perry may run for Governor in 2014 but he is definitely planning for life after the Governor’s Mansion which is beginning to look like a reality.
