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GOP's 10 most at-risk
The Hill ^ | 17 feb 05 | Hans Nichols

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.


TOPICS: Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Arizona; US: Colorado; US: Connecticut; US: District of Columbia; US: Indiana; US: Kentucky; US: Nevada; US: Pennsylvania; US: Washington
KEYWORDS: 2006; 2006house; annenorthup; beauprez; congress; electionushouse; fundraising; gerlach; jonporter; marilynmusgrave; mikefitzpatrick; reichert; renzi; robsimmons; romp; sodrel
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To: Galactic Overlord-In-Chief

We've gotta get Pomeroy different work...


41 posted on 02/17/2005 10:02:05 PM PST by ApesForEvolution (I just took a Muhammad and wiped my Jihadist with Mein Koran...come and get me nutbags.)
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To: thoughtomator
[Shays'] seat is as safe as can be - live boy or dead girl safe - because of his rhetorical sabotage of Clinton's impeachment. Democrats simply don't want him to talk, and therefore will not pose any serious challenge to him.

Not true. Shays barely survived 52-48 against a mediocre challenger in November. His seat is a prime takeover target for the Democrats.

42 posted on 02/18/2005 4:59:53 AM PST by BlackRazor
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To: Recon by Fire

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.


43 posted on 02/23/2005 5:39:00 PM PST by Clintonfatigued
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To: white trash redneck

Renzi ain't at risk.


44 posted on 02/23/2005 5:39:44 PM PST by marajade
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To: mombonn

Excellent idea.


45 posted on 02/23/2005 5:40:38 PM PST by Clintonfatigued
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To: Gipper08

"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?


46 posted on 02/23/2005 5:45:59 PM PST by nj26
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To: NorCalRepub
some states my have a moderate Repub on the ballot, but I'd rather vote for an 80% Repub than an 80% Dem.........

Dude, don't lie, you'd rather vote for an 80% Republican than a 100% Republican.

47 posted on 02/23/2005 5:46:27 PM PST by JohnnyZ ("Thought I was having trouble with my adding. It's all right now." - Clint Eastwood)
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To: UM_mac
If these two make the top ten, we're in pretty good shape.

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.

48 posted on 02/23/2005 5:48:38 PM PST by JohnnyZ ("Thought I was having trouble with my adding. It's all right now." - Clint Eastwood)
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To: Purple GOPer
It might be cynical, but I think it has more to do with scaring primary challengers than with scaring the Dems.

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.

49 posted on 02/23/2005 5:56:03 PM PST by JohnnyZ ("Thought I was having trouble with my adding. It's all right now." - Clint Eastwood)
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To: JohnnyZ

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


50 posted on 02/23/2005 6:07:29 PM PST by NorCalRepub
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To: white trash redneck

Porter is a good fella and should be ok. I'm glad the national party will help him out, though.


51 posted on 02/23/2005 6:09:39 PM PST by HitmanLV
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To: NorCalRepub
glad you can read my mind.......

Nah, I've read your posts. You never met a "moderate" you didn't adore.

52 posted on 02/23/2005 6:28:20 PM PST by JohnnyZ ("Thought I was having trouble with my adding. It's all right now." - Clint Eastwood)
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To: JohnnyZ

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.......


53 posted on 02/23/2005 6:35:13 PM PST by NorCalRepub
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To: NorCalRepub
the only moderate you will ever find me supporting myself is Arnold

..... and Rudy, and McCain, and you have a thing against people who don't support moderates.

54 posted on 02/23/2005 6:40:49 PM PST by JohnnyZ ("Thought I was having trouble with my adding. It's all right now." - Clint Eastwood)
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To: JohnnyZ

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.....


55 posted on 02/23/2005 6:45:14 PM PST by NorCalRepub
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To: white trash redneck
I really don't know a whole lot about Sodrell (IN-9) as I actually live in IN-4 represented by Steve Buyer. I do know that he ran against Baron Hill in 2002 and lost a close election, he's operated a small business, that I think grew to employ 500 or so people, and from his statements, seems to be fairly conservative.

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.

56 posted on 02/23/2005 7:09:50 PM PST by DaisyCutter
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To: NorCalRepub
I dare you to go find ANYWHERE that I said I support them or that I think others here should support them

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".

57 posted on 02/23/2005 7:10:29 PM PST by JohnnyZ ("Thought I was having trouble with my adding. It's all right now." - Clint Eastwood)
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To: JohnnyZ
is that the best you can do.....you obviously are just looking for a fight or something....I said we should ally ourselves and find common ground on things we agree upon. You didn't put in there where I said we SHOULD NOT let them promote their Gay agenda....and again....look at my original post.. all things being equal I'd probably vote for the Repub instead of a Dem.....you can't find anywhere where I support liberal viewpoints anywhere....not even the Log Cabin Guys, cause I just said we should agree on fiscal conservatism......and there are many others that feel the same way but don't feel inclined to argue with certain idiots here.....talking about picking up toys, you know I mean that if you had a choice between Hillary or McCain, you would not vote or vote for Hillary......that is just insane......I'll tell you one thing I absolutely know for sure....you feel so insecure that you choose to pick an old post to go after someone you disagree with....again, that is a liberal tactic and lends nothing to the discussion or debate. You have yet to show me where I espouse liberal ideas of where I said I support moderates unless they are up against liberals......you see, you make the ignorant mistake of thinking you know someone from a few posts..that is an intellectually meager proposition.....you don't have any idea who I voted for ever.....
58 posted on 02/23/2005 7:25:04 PM PST by NorCalRepub
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To: white trash redneck

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.


59 posted on 02/23/2005 7:26:22 PM PST by Melas
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Comment #60 Removed by Moderator


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