I am confused about the campaign finance rules.

Last summer, I got the impression that the one could donate up to $2000 to a candidate during the primary and up to $2000 to a candidate during the general election (where the general election is defined as after that candidate's convention.)

Yesterday, I got a letter saying that I must donate to Kerry now, because he will not be able to do any fundraising - no fundraisers, no Internet fundraising, nothing -- after the convention in July when he accepts matching funds for the general.

That makes no sense to me. Are the new rules really such that no one can donate to general election candidates? If so, what do those "matching funds" match?

Anyone here clued in to the new regulations?