Romney offering student fund-raisers a commission

BOSTON — A millionaire thanks to his work as a venture capitalist, Mitt Romney is acutely aware of the motivating power of money. His presidential campaign hopes it will have a similar effect on college students, which is why it's offering them a cut of their fund raising.

Participants in "Students for Mitt" will get 10 percent of the money they raise for the campaign beyond the first $1,000. While candidates often offer professional fund-raisers commissions up to 8 percent, campaign experts believe the Massachusetts Republican is the first to do so with the legion of college students who have historically served as campaign volunteers.

"For the kids that want to get involved in a political campaign and they don't want to spend their summer painting houses, they can help the campaign and themselves at the same time," said Romney spokesman Kevin Madden.

Others take a dimmer view.

"It may very well succeed, but I'd like to think that he'd approach young people and college students based on their commitment to the country, not because they want walking-around money," said Steve Grossman, a prominent Massachusetts fund-raiser and past chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, is engaged in a fundraising battle with rivals for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination, including such better-known candidates as Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Presidential candidates face a first-quarter fund-raising deadline this Saturday, with reports released on April 15. Those totals will strongly contribute to perceptions of political viability.

McCain has played down his expected take, but spokesman Danny Diaz said Tuesday: "We're confident of the organization that has been put in place. I wouldn't trade our position in the race with anyone."

The campaign has tried to bolster its effort by organizing a young professionals group, as well as interactive Web sites that track McCain's travels and include donation links.

Democrats such as Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, Barack Obama of Illinois and Chris Dodd of Connecticut are not organizing student groups but instead relying on more traditional fund-raising networks.

Running third or worse in public opinion polls, Romney is looking to raise at least $15 million to cement his status as a top-tier candidate.

Successful applicants to Students for Mitt get an ID and source code so the campaign can track donations made at their behest.