Posted on 04/22/2010 4:58:43 AM PDT by iowamark
Barely 6 1/2 months before the midterm elections, an internal investigation by the Republican National Committee has revealed that the organization is beset with questionable financial management and oversight and is spending more money courting top-dollar donors than it raises.
The investigation found that the Republican Party's national governing body is losing money on its major-donors' fundraising program -- spending $1.09 for each $1.00 raised, according to RNC members privy to the investigation's findings. It typically costs about 40 cents for every dollar raised from donors who give more than $1,000.
The investigation also found that the RNC has allowed employees to forge Finance Director Rob Bickhart's initials on expense-reimbursement request approvals, according to an RNC member who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. The RNC's top elected and appointed management have united in defense of the committee's practices. RNC Chairman Michael S. Steele can withhold or increase RNC contributions to a state party.
The Washington Times obtained a copy of a report on the investigation -- prepared by RNC Treasurer Randy Pullen -- that he sent to the 28-member RNC Executive Committee before a conference call hastily scheduled for Wednesday afternoon by Mr. Steele's office. It includes some of the findings.
RNC communications director Doug Heye disputed the fundraising figures when reached for comment about the report. He said year-to-date the RNC has received $2,649,586 from major donors at a cost of $1,832,642, netting the organization more than $800,000.
The report says several RNC Finance Department employees have been forging Mr. Bickhart's signature for reimbursement for the purchase of clothing, wine and entertainment expenses, including some that were labeled as office supplies....
Mr. Pullen said he found more instances of the RNC's "good governance" rule being ignored under Mr. Steele's leadership...
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Whomever approved the $2k stripper/bondage outing bill for payment, should have been fired immediately, if not sooner.
That’s ONE reason the RNC is NOT getting any of my money.
Another is the RNC has a habit of Backing RINOS and LIBERALS.
Time for STEELE to go... no matter what color you are...
STUPID KNOWS NO SKINCOLOR
Yet another reason, as if we needed one, not to contribute to the RNC instead of individual candidates. Even if their figures are correct, 70% of major donors’ contributions are spent on admin expenses before anything gets to candidates. They should be evaluated just like a charity. What percentage is spent on the intended purpose? By this criterion, RNC is an epic fail.
Steele is simply a Trojan. The party needs to accept that.
You mean that's not the way it is supposed to work? (/sarcasm)
Wish someone like RUSH would step in!
Exactly. Time to either disband the RNC or put businesspeople in charge.
No more damn rinos and hacks!
You both have it backwards. It's not that Steele and Obama are Trojans; their fathers should have used Trojans.
More evidence that Michael Steele is a walking example of the peter principle
You are correct. You wouldnt put money in a savings account that paid negative interest. Do not give money to RNC. Give direct to candidates you support,
Rush should stay where he is, doing what he does.
Yep! That’s why I wrote, “Wish someone like RUSH would step in”!
These national groups are going the way of the dinosaur. It’s quick and easy to determine competitive races, research individual candidates and give directly.
So you mean the Freeper that told me the other day that it was perfectly acceptable to spend $350,000 on a Hawaii retreat was wrong for staff because they were courting “donors?”
This isn’t surprising. I’ve LONG AGO stopped giving to these folks, and by long ago I mean contributing to Reagan’s Citizens for the Republic and Helm’s Congressional Club. This episode of supporting “Scuzzy” in New York is just another of a thirty year pattern of selecting & supporting half-assers.
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.