Romney Copies Obama's Super PAC Strategy

After President Obama announced this week that he'd allow top aides to speak at super PAC events, Mitt Romney is following suit. "President Obama's decision opens a new chapter in this campaign, and we will not play by different rules," said Romney's campaign manager in an email to staff viewed by the Wall Street Journal. The email says that new campaign finance terms allow staffers to assist Restore Our Future, a super PAC working on the candidate's behalf.

In light of these recent moves, the Journal takes a look at some of the more creative methods campaigns have been using to circumnavigate rules preventing super PACs from coordinating directly with candidates. For example, candidates and their aides can seek donations of up to $2,500 dollars at super PAC events—and as soon as they've left the event, super PAC officials can issue calls for much more cash, according to election lawyers. "As long as the candidate is not doing the 'ask' himself, then all bets are off," says an expert.