Column

(SitNews) - Yes, you read that headline correctly. There where complaints during Obama’s first term that instead of focusing on his main job as President, he optically ran a never ending presidential campaign for his second term. Optics aside, President Obama officially filed for his 2012 re-election in April of 2011. This is not the case for Trump.

Click here or on the graphic for a larger image.
Public Domain FEC (FEC Form 99)

To put in this in context:

47 months—Donald Trump filed on Jan. 20, 2017 for the 2020 election.
19 months—Barack Obama filed on April 4, 2011 for his 2012 re-election.
18 months—George W. Bush filed on May 16, 2003 to run in 2004.
19 months—Bill Clinton filed on April 14, 1995 for his 1996 re-election campaign.
12 months—George H.W. Bush filling on Oct. 11, 1991 for the 1992 election.
12 months—Ronald Reagan filed on October 17, 1983 for the 1984 campaign.

What does this mean?

Effectively, this neutralizes 501c3s, NGOs, and Super PACs from politically attacking him and engaging in “political speech” these next four years without losing their tax-exempt status. You see if non-profit organizations want to attack Trump politically, they have to abide by certain rules and financial transparency laws, since they would technically be “campaigning” against a “Candidate” Trump---which they aren’t legally allowed to do (Source: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/the-restriction-of-political-campaign-intervention-by-section-501-c-3-tax-exempt-organizations ).

This type of move is “House of Cards” 5-d political chess material, since filing this early (as far as I know) has never been done before. Groups on the Internet are already talking about organizing and taking screen-shots of non-profits who may have politically attacked “Candidate Trump” so that they can report them to the IRS.

In related news, rumor is that President Trump’s 2020 campaign slogan will be “Keep America Great.” Question is, can President Trump accomplish his first campaign promise and “Make America Great Again” in just four years?

The weekly protests and opposition since his inauguration seem to put the question in doubt.

Until next time, cheers.

Arthur Martin ©2017

Arthur was originally born in the Soviet Union and immigrated legally to Alaska when he was young. He graduated from Craig, Alaska. Holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and worked for the Alaska State Legislature for three sessions.

Arthur now lives on Prince of Wales Island. He can be contacted at powreport@gmail.com - This column has been edited by the author.

Arthur Martin is the Editor of the P.O.W. AK Report
www.powreport.com

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