Fundraising without committing

[Simfan34]

Scott Walker and Jeb Bush have raised upwards of $30 million in their SuperPACs before formally declaring. But their intent was clear, and clearer to their donors. But how much could someone have raised, on their time table, if they were truly uncertain about their plans on whether or not to run?

Would it be possible for someone to sit on the sidelines and build up a similarly sized SuperPAC warchest- perhaps to wield it as influence in the nomination horserace- without ever running? Would this be possible if this was say, 2012-popularity Christie?

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The candidates usually decide whether they're going to run long before they start raising money. Generally, when a candidate says he/she is in a "decision-making process" regarding whether or not to run, the real question is just when and how they'll announce.