Washington – Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is engaging in a fundraising tactic that professional money raisers say may be unethical, but money-strapped college students seem to love.
He’s offering to pay a percentage-based commission to students collecting cash for his White House bid.
The practice of paying a percentage commission is listed as unethical in a code of standards by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, who instead say those people raising money should take a set fee for their services.
Students, though, say it’s a way to earn some summer money for college while also supporting a candidate they like.
Romney’s program is called “Students for Mitt,” in which the campaign offers a 10 percent commission to any student with valid college identification who raises more than $1,000 toward Romney’s presidential effort. Raise $5,000, get $500 back.
“It’s legal but considered by professional fundraisers to be unethical,” says Paul Ryan, who heads the Federal Elections Commission program at the Washington-based Campaign Legal Center.
Romney’s campaign launched the program this month and advertised several recruiting meetings for college students. The first two locations: Provo, Utah, and Rexburg, Idaho, home of LDS Church-owned Brigham Young University and BYU-Idaho, respectively.
Romney is a Mormon, though students signing up for the program are told not to use any church-related list to raise funds.
Clayton Ashcraft, second vice-chairman of the BYU-Idaho College Republicans, says he plans to sign up for the program and hold town-hall meetings to spread word about Romney and, if possible, raise some cash for his campaign.
“I’ve never really heard of anything like it,” Ashcraft said. “I’m involved most of the time with societies that you don’t really make any money on.”
Ashcraft, a Mormon, agrees Romney may be trying to tap an LDS network, but argues the program is a good idea because it will involve students who normally would sit out a presidential race.
Romney’s campaign spokesman Kevin Madden says the program is legal and therefore ethical.
“It’s not only legal, it’s smart and innovative,” Madden said.
