In a development that could significantly impact 2004 campaign ad spending, front-runner Howard Dean last week became the first Democratic presidential candidate ever to reject matching taxpayer funds
in a bid for the presidency. In doing so, Dean, who has proven an especially aggressive user of the Web for fund raising, will not be limited to federally mandated spending limits during the primary
season. Incumbent President George W. Bush has already indicated plans to forgo matching funds, as he did during his successful 2000 bid.
