But “not coordinated” isn’t clearly defined, and candidates have taken advantage of that. This year almost every presidential candidate in the field has at least one supporting super-PAC that’s ostensibly acting independently of his or her campaign, though staffed in many cases by the candidates’ long-time aides. Arguably, no one has taken advantage of this legal loophole more than Bush. The flow of consultants from the outside groups to the campaign and, in at least one instance, the sharing of staff, has created a series of interlocking relationships that illustrate how the best-funded Republican candidate is aggressively navigating the new world of campaign finance laws.
While there’s no apparent legal violation, and the various pro-Bush entities have insisted they are in compliance with the law, the situation shows how difficult it can be to fence off outside groups, which can collect contributions in unlimited amounts. In the case of Right to Rise Policy Solutions, organized as a “social welfare” non-profit, donors never have to be disclosed.