Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute February 8 in Simi Valley, California. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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MIke Pompeo’s political action committee shelled out $42,000 in books the day his memoir hit bookstores, according to a filing submitted Monday to the Federal Election Commission.
“Never Give An Inch: Fighting for the America I Love” was released on January 24. On the same day, Champion American Values, a PAC chaired by Pompeo, paid $42,000 to Bulkbooks.com for “memories — books,” according to the record.
Pompeo’s memoir debuted at No. 3 on the New York Times bestseller list for hardcover non-fiction. Two weeks later he remains ranked at No. 5. THE Time notes that retailers reported bulk orders of “Never Give An Inch”.
Pompeo isn’t running for federal office, so he’s allowed to personally benefit when his PAC buys his book with donor funds, according to Brett Kappel, campaign finance attorney at Harmon, Curran, Spielberg & Eisenberg.
Spokespersons for Champion American Values did not immediately respond to inquiries.
Pompeo’s Champion American Values PAC bought $42,000 worth of books the day the former secretary of state’s memoir was published.
Federal Election Commission/American Values Champion
In addition to repaying an advance or collecting royalties, politicians may receive other benefits when their political committees purchase their books. Publishers might be more likely to strike deals with politicians in the first place, knowing they have donor funds they can tap into for a group buy. And buying from retailers, even wholesale, can help a book hit the bestseller list, a marketing stunt.
Pompeo’s PAC used the Time‘ ranking to highlight the appeal of his book. “Even the New York Times Admit my new book is a must-read!” Pompeo said in a $400 Facebook ad campaign that kicked off Feb. 14. Time did not review Pompeo’s book, suggesting that Pompeo was referring to his position on the bestseller list.
Other politicians have used their PAC funds to buy their own briefs. In November, the former vice-president Mike Pence’s Great America Committee spent $91,000 on his book at a New York retailer. Unlike Pompeo though, when Pence’s memoir hit the bestseller list, the Time did not indicate any bulk orders.
In advertisements on Fcaebook, Mike Pompeo claims that the New York Times has called his book a “must-read”.
Facebook/PAC American Values Champion