Buchanan Awarded Federal Funds

W A S H I N G T O N, Sept. 14 -- Pat Buchanan inched closer to getting a $12.6 million check for his Reform Party presidential campaign today.

The Federal Election Commission rubber-stamped its decision to award Buchanan the federal campaign funds at its meeting today, authorizing the Treasury to issue a check as early as this afternoon.

“I’m feeling rich,” said Buchanan’s sister and campaign chairwoman, Bay Buchanan. “We’re thrilled. It’s been a long time coming, but we’re ready to get this campaign kick-started.”

John Hagelin of Fairfield, Iowa, who also had sought the money,dropped his plans to appeal the FEC decision.

“It got to be too time consuming,” said Bob Roth, Hagelin’s spokesman. “The Reform Party is dead as envisioned by Ross Perot as a mainstream party … and John Hagelin has emerged as the leader of this reform movement, and now with the support of RossPerot, his strength will only grow in American politics.”

Radio Ads Set to Go

The FEC voted to give the money to Buchanan earlier this week ina 5-1 preliminary ruling.

Buchanan’s first radio ads were scheduled to air this afternoon in South Carolina and Michigan, the two states that will lead off his campaign schedule next week. One of the two ads to air is a “pro-life” ad, Bay Buchanan said.

The Reform Party is due the money because of the 1996 electionshowing of party founder Perot, who won 8 percent of the nationalvote.

Buchanan, who is counting on the money to help revive his campaign, has said he plans to use much of the money for advertising.

Judge Bans Hagelin From Party Name

On Wednesday, a California judge declared Buchanan the ReformParty’s true presidential candidate.

Superior Court Judge James L. Wright ordered Hagelin to stop campaigning as the party’s nominee. His supporters must also stop promoting Hagelin as such, collecting and spending donations, and operating its Web site.