Clinton Rents Campaign Mail List to Pay Debt

Renter in chief? Bill, as Hillary races to raise cash before State gig
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 25, 2008 7:20 AM CST
Clinton Rents Campaign Mail List to Pay Debt
Hillary Clinton stands with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, during a campaign rally in Scranton, Pa., Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jimmy May)

Hillary Clinton's campaign has hit on a novel way of repaying its debt, ABC News reports.  The campaign is renting out the vast list of email addresses compiled during the course of Clinton's failed presidential bid. Among the customers for the list, believed to be 5 million names strong, is the foundation of one William J. Clinton, which bought access to send out a fundraising appeal.

Federal law allows campaign email lists to be sold off like any other asset as long as the price is in keeping with "fair market value." In the case of Clinton's list, rich in potential donors, experts estimate the price could easily run into hundreds of thousands of dollars. The campaign still owes $6.3 million to vendors and Clinton won't be allowed to solicit campaign donations after being confirmed secretary of State. (More Hillary Clinton stories.)

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