Reply #15: Okay, actual answer

[eyesroll]

Let's, for the sake of argument, say he drops out. (This applies to any candidate, BTW, not just Dean.)

First, he has to pay off bills, debts, etc. He has to pay his staff through whatever their contracts (if there was a contract) or his policy states, and at the very least, he has to pay them for time worked, including wind-down time. Remember, Dean's got a lot of paid staff, and he's burned through a lot of cash in Iowa and New Hampshire. I'd be interested to see what his cash-on-hand totals look like.

If there is money left over, he can transfer certain amounts to other Democratic candidates for federal office, the DNC and other related committees. He can also contribute some to charity. There are a couple of other things he can do with the money, but I don't remember what.

He can also keep his account active for a House or Senate run, or a future presidential run (I'm not sure exactly what the rules are, but candidates can use funds solicited for one federal election or office to run for another).