What was the impact of the end of federal funding, as a result of the Federal Election Campaign Act?

- Candidates became increasingly effective at raising money - In 2000 George W. Bush raised more than the campaign limit (approximately $120 million) without using federal funds - By rejecting these he wasn't constrained by campaign expenditure limits - This made it much harder for Al Fore, who took matching funds, to compete - 2004 - Bush repeated the feat against Kerry, who took matching funds - 2012 - first election when neither candidate accepted matching funds; this was repeated in 2016