In 1997, he created a nonprofit organization, Americans for Hope, Growth and Opportunity and a matching political action committee which became one of the most prolific issues advertisers in the country. The ads have hit the airwaves in 20 states, including the crucial primary and caucus states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Arizona. AHGO has also sent out a flurry of e-mails and faxes to conservative activists and legislators around the country. After Clinton's 1998 State of the Union, it funded a one-minute response ad starring Forbes. Setting up a PAC as a prelude to a run for president is a time-honored tradition.
Many candidates create PACs in order to jump start their presidential runs as early as possible.
But Forbes hasn't just whipped out his wallet every time he wanted to score points with conservatives. He has also toured the country and met with the top leaders of conservative organizations. So far, Forbes has lined up the support of the more notable conservative leaders and solid majority of the rank and file too. But until now, the conservative support shared by Alan Keyes and, to a lesser extent, Gary Bauer , has prevented Forbes from posing a more serious threat to Bush. But because so many conservatives are split for a variety of reasons, it's going to be tough.