Posted on 02/17/2005 2:13:15 PM PST by white trash redneck
House Republican leaders last night notified their 10 most vulnerable lawmakers that they will be the lucky beneficiaries of this year's first ROMP (Retain Our Majority Program) fundraiser.
The list provides an early preview of who GOP leaders think need the most help from their fellow lawmakers. It also lets potential Democratic challengers know that any run will be expensive.
The 10 members are Reps. Bob Beauprez (Colo.), Mike Fitzpatrick (Pa.), Jim Gerlach (Pa.), Marilyn Musgrave (Colo.), Anne Northup (Ky.), Jon Porter (Nev.), Dave Reichert (Wash.), Rick Renzi (Ariz.), Rob Simmons (Conn.) and Mike Sodrel (Ind.). Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.), who narrowly won his 2004 race, is not on the list.
ROMP was designed by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) in 1999 to funnel money from legislators hailing from safe seats to those who represent more marginal districts. Typically, a ROMP beneficiary receives upwards of $100,000 from each event and rarely spends less than $2 million defending his or her seat.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has not yet determined which Democrats will be included in the "Frontline" program, the Democrats' carbon copy of ROMP.
"We're still talking to members with Congressman [Mike] Thompson [D-Calif.]," said Greg Speed, spokesman for the DCCC. Earlier this year, DCCC Chairman Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) tapped Thompson to quarterback the Democrats' Frontline effort.
But Republicans clearly want to boost their vulnerable members' first-quarter campaign-finance reporting numbers before those figures are due March 31. To that end, DeLay will host the cycle's inaugural ROMP fundraiser March 17, St. Patrick's Day. There could be as many as four ROMPs this year, with those later in the cycle focusing more on promising challengers.
This year's first batch has seven repeats from last cycle and includes three newcomers: Fitzpatrick, Reichert and Sodrel. Sodrel defeated Rep. Baron Hill (D-Ind.), the only Frontline Democrat outside of Texas who lost in November.
"If incumbents are seen as safe, it will free up more offensive opportunities later in the election year," said Jim Ellis, director of DeLay's ARMPAC.
Lawmakers selected for the first ROMP round were elated.
"The congressman is extremely happy to be included in the first ROMP event and is greatly appreciative of the assistance he is receiving from his colleagues towards his reelection," said Mike Conallen, Fitzpatrick's chief of staff.
"Being included in that event will help us achieve that goal," he added.
As a result of the campaign-finance legislation passed three years ago, the first quarter of a nonelection year has become increasingly important in the fundraising game. Even though many freshmen are still setting up their offices and reeling from the last campaign, they need to post strong numbers to ward off any potential challengers. The last cycle was the first in which the first FEC reporting deadline was in late March, not late June.
"The March 31 deadline comes up in a hurry," said Josh Mathis, a lobbyist with Bockorny Petrizzo, who managed Reichert's campaign.
Democrats said that their Frontline list would be forthcoming and that their effort last year - their first official foray into member-to-member giving - was a success.
"We reelected everyone, all but one of our incumbents outside of Texas, last year," said Speed.
"Our top goal remains to reelect every single one of incumbents in 2006," he added.
We've gotta get Pomeroy different work...
Not true. Shays barely survived 52-48 against a mediocre challenger in November. His seat is a prime takeover target for the Democrats.
She is a solid favorite, no doubt, but can't take anything for granted in her 'Rat-voting district. Also, she may seek higher office soon.
Renzi ain't at risk.
Excellent idea.
"If you are going to send money to anyone send it to Musgrave."
What's going on with Musgrave? Isn't her district pretty conservative?
Dude, don't lie, you'd rather vote for an 80% Republican than a 100% Republican.
True that. None of ours are really that vulnerable, especially in an off-year. Gerlach hasn't nailed down his district for some reason though, and 2006 COULD be a good Rat year in PA.
My impression is these folks are pretty well-liked in their districts. The only one who's gotten any primary challengers of note in the past is Renzi, I believe.
glad you can read my mind.......you are very talented....saying things like that are usually only for liberal moonbats who use emotion only and not reason and logic
Porter is a good fella and should be ok. I'm glad the national party will help him out, though.
Nah, I've read your posts. You never met a "moderate" you didn't adore.
never made a comment on my thoughts about RINO's and I'll bet you can't find anywhere that I say I support one...but I do look at facts and behavior and voting records....the only moderate you will ever find me supporting myself is Arnold but that is because he is Gov and trying to do some things.....there are too many people here and I'm sure you are one of them that call everyone and anyone a RINO or traitor the minute they disagree......I can only think of 4 true RINO's.....the rest are open to debate.......
..... and Rudy, and McCain, and you have a thing against people who don't support moderates.
go ahead......show me the thread were I said I support either of them.....in fact, I say I don't support McCain. I have a thing for people that are so intolerant and narrow minded that they have to throw invectives and hate speech towards them.....that is my beef....you are just like those that hate anyone who puts out a different thought which is crazy....now.....before you write back......I dare you to go find ANYWHERE that I said I support them or that I think others here should support them.......go ahead, send it to me......again, I have a thing for "haters" who can't find some common ground.....
Sodrell's seat is definately vulnerable, he won by only 1500 votes out of about 300,000 cast in 2004 against Hill (who demanded a recount, then dropped it after the recount from the Bloomington area showed less than a 10 vote swing) and the district was definately drawn to include what the then democrat controlled legislature thought was a democrat slant, by including the college town of Bloomington, IN but leaving the western part of the county which is generally heavily Republican in the 4th.
Well, let's see.
You support the Log Cabiners
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1348822/posts?page=33#27
And "many narrow minded conservatives just want to pick up their toys and go home if they don't get their way........they won't vote for a moderate but moderates helped get Bush elected......just don't get it how some are so unwilling to compromise when it is necessary...."
And here you are SO eager to support voting for Rudy and McCain and their ilk -- of course without stating your position, just saying the abstract that you're pro-life and wouldn't vote for a pro-abort -- except you're not a one-issue voter and wouldn't make that an obstacle to voting for someone who loved abortion?????? http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1348002/posts
I'm sure it's just a coincidence that you always take liberal positions and defend voting for "moderates".
If you can get 3 Repubicans in a room to agree on who's a RINO and who's not, congratulations. I'll need video evidence before I believe it though.
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