Robertson Apparently Will Accept $4.5 Million in Matching Funds

WASHINGTON — Pat Robertson on Thursday withdrew his request to delay payment of $4.5 million in federal matching funds to his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.

The cancellation of the delay request apparently cleared the way for Robertson to receive the money on Monday, the first work day of the new year.

Robertson had said he was opposed to government financing of campaigns and was not certain that he wanted to accept the money and the spending limits attached to it. Earlier this week, he asked for a 30-day delay to make a decision on whether to take the money.

In a letter Thursday to the Federal Election Commission, Robertson campaign attorney Marion Harrison said he had learned that the FEC was going to approve part of the delay request and that such a partial step was not acceptable.

“In view of the informal response indicating that the Federal Election Commission is inclined to approve in part the request of Americans for Robertson Inc. as set forth in our letter of Dec. 29, 1987, we withdraw said letter,” the new letter said. “The proposal is not susceptible to response other than full approval or full disapproval.”

FEC spokeswoman Sharon Snyder said the commission had made no decision on the delay request. The only activity on the matter had been questions raised by FEC staff in talks with Robertson aides, she said.

Presidential candidates become eligible for federal matching funds by raising at least $5,000 in individual contributions of $250 or less in at least 20 states. Thereafter, all individual contributions up to $250 are matched dollar for dollar by money from the Treasury. Those funds come from the voluntary $1 checkoff on personal income tax returns.