Posted on 07/25/2007 5:44:45 AM PDT by Valin
Politico's Jeanne Cummings has a story on the dollar gap that is opening between the Dems and Republicans. It is large and growing, and a complete turnaround from the ordinary situation. So, what is going on?
There are three answers.
First, the top tier GOP presidential candidates are equally matched and there's a lot of money on the sidelines waiting for the main event to begin. When a strong frontrunner emerges who begins to take the campaign to the Dems, especially on the war, the contributions will flow. If Romney is that nominee, expect some serious 527 efforts as well funded by his extraordinarily successful colleagues in the world of investment banking. Rudy Giuliani, too, will not lack for cash if he is the nominee.
The disparity in cash on hand between the campaign committees of Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate are much more significant, and harder for the GOP to fix. The Dems are enthusiastic about adding to their majority, and recognize that if they can keep if through this cycle it will be theirs for some time. Though pressed by the anti-war fringe into absurd ploys and defeatist rhetoric, the Dems can count on their foot soldiers in the unions and the groups to keep sending in the small contributions, whether by payroll deduction or on a voluntary basis.
The Republicans have a double disadvantage.
Quick, name one GOP House candidate challenging a Democratic freshman. That's the first problem. The House GOP has done almost nothing to present the face of the comeback, and until it does, don't expect a lot of enthusiasm or contributions from the base. Show me 20 Republican challengers, including a bunch of vets with service in Iraq and Afghanistan who are running on a platform of victory, and the House coffers will start to fill.
The problem in the Senate isn't a lack of candidates, it is that some of the candidates are not merely old and uninpsiring, some, like Orgeon's Gordon Smith, have gone over to the defeatist ranks. Others like Domenici of New Mexico and Warner of Virginia sit on the fence. There is simply no way that even the most committed Republican activists are going to give money to the National Republican Senatorial Committee and see it work for Smith's re-election, or the re-election of other Republicans not committed to victory in Iraq.
When the GOP's senate challengers to defeatist incumbent Democrats emerge in Montana, Louisiana, Iowa, and Arkansas to join Bob Schaeffer in Colorado, there will be some rallying to them if they run on a victory platform, but not until then, and then only into the campaigns of the individuals. I got another e-mail from Senator John Ensign today, a good conservative who chairs the NRSC, asking me to contribute to the Committee to help turn back Hillary Clinton's assault on talk radio. Now, you'd think I would respond to that, right? Not a chance, because I know that my contribution would end up helping Gordon Smith. Keeping the Fairness Doctrine at bay means almost nothing compared to a loss in Iraq that allows al Qaeda to establish a new home base, and trying to appeal to donors in any way that ignores the debate over the war will fail. When the GOP caucus in the Senate serves notice that it won't be sending money to the defeatist rump in its midst, then donations will pick up. Until then, save the stamp, or the e-mail.
I saw a clever idea for a tee-shirt here yesterday. It should simply read in giant letters "No Mas!"
Then again, it could be because..
Other than that, I have no idea.
Log Cabin Republicans campaigned AGAINST Bush in 2004.
I might consider giving if Tom DeLay was head of the RNC.
My ticket Fred Thompson, President, Duncan Hunter, Secretary of Defense, John Bolton, Secretary of State; Mike Steele, Vice President.
Looking that over, I see a lot of concern for what is good for the party and nothing about what’s good for the people or the nation.
In casting blame at the “christian right” they also wildly miss the mark. They miss the boat with people like myself who haven’t been to church since childhood but still want a strong traditional America.
Instead the GOP produces candidates who think the most patriotic thing they can do is outsource jobs, import cheap labor, and generally sell America down the river.
No thank you.
No Mas has come to mean I Give Up. I won’t be wearing one of those.
Why aren’t the Republicans giving?
Mel Martinez
Duncan Hunter POTUS
Condi Rice Veep
Fred Thompson Secretary of State
John Bolton Secretary of Defense
Ron Paul Straitjacket (kidding!)
No mystery here.
What is "Because the Republicans suck," Alex?
Is this guy whistling past the graveyard, or what? I doubt that he’s the only one in the Republican party making excuses. Shame on them and they deserve what is coming to them if they continue to refuse delivery of the message.
Would that be the same Tom DeLay that just insulted a huge number of conservatives during the immigration standoff and spouted threats against talk radio??
Yep, and the Democrats should be very worried about Fred. He is a great communicator and coservative in the mold of Reagan.
I just got a call from the GOP, they played an audio clip then asked two poll questions - one about Hillary - before hitting me up for money. I waited patiently for them to ask for the $, then I told them NOT one dollar for them in Washington because I can still remember the immigration fiasco when so many of the GOP elites thought they would pass that disastrous bill WITH the dems. I told them I would wait for the Rep who vows to oppose any immigration bill, before donating to anyone. Then I just told them to have a nice day and hung up. Felt really good. THAT’s why I am not giving.
Depends on which war we're talking about. If the war in Iraq is the issue, Republicans lose. If the war on terror (war on islammunism) is the issue, we win.
But things are going to have to get serious, rather than seeing body bags coming home from Baghdad, the American public is going to need to see headlines about taking out the so-called tribal areas in western Pakistan.
Right On! We are saving our money for Fred! :-)
The Log Cabin Republicans are the democrats. They have invaded our party. The monies come from the same source. The Republicans that take the endorsements from the LCR have to sign a contract with them. (contract is at this same thread also)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1831372/posts?page=16#16
Political Party Alliance
The National Stonewall Democrats
The National Stonewall Democrats is the nation’s only grassroots Democratic lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender organization. The Stonewall Democrats focus on making change in three ways; educating the LGBT community about the differences in the political parties, mobilizing the LGBT community on election day to get-out to vote for fair-minded Democrats and standing up against the Republicans when they attack our families and civil rights.
Dave Noble, Executive Director www.stonewalldemocrats.org
The Log Cabin Republicans
The mission of the Log Cabin Republicans is to work within the Republican Party to advocate equal rights for all Americans, including gays and lesbians. Log Cabin’s mission derives from our firm belief in the principles of limited government, individual liberty, individual responsibility, free markets and a strong national defense. We emphasize that these principles and the moral values on which they stand are consistent with the pursuit of equal treatment under the law for gay and lesbian Americans.
Patrick Guerriero, Executive Director www.logcabin.org
She kept begging me to give, but I refused.
My money will go directly to candidates, not to committees.
Um......Because we're tired of being s-c-r-e-w-e-d?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.