I don't understand how this show will pass muster with the FEC:
The online social networking site MySpace and reality TV producer Mark Burnett are teaming to launch the search for an independent presidential candidate.
The political reality show "Independent" comes with a $1 million cash prize and a catch: the winner can't keep the money.
The prize can be used to finance a run for the White House or can be given to a political action committee or political cause.
Contestants in the show, set to launch in early 2008, will meet the public and interact with supporters, protesters and others. An interactive "town hall" will give MySpace users and TV viewers a chance to rate their performance.
The show does not yet have a commitment from a TV network.
The only way someone can spend $1 million legally in so-called "hard money" is if they donate it to their own campaign. But if the show gives the winner money and legally requires them to spend it in certain ways, does that count as an illegal donation from the network? And the article is just wrong to say the winner could give $1 million to a PAC - the maximum individual donation is $5,000 per year. So I guess the winner would need to start a 527 or a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
If this isn't illegal, couldn't a funder just launder his $1 million for, say, a spoiler candidate by naming them as the winner of a "contest"?
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