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State parties look past Republican National Committee for cash
Politico ^ | 9/3/2010 | Jeanne Cummings

Posted on 09/04/2010 3:23:23 PM PDT by Republican Wildcat

Alarmed by the hobbled financial status of the Republican National Committee, state party leaders now are turning to outside groups — or creating their own — to ensure they have a robust voter turnout operation in November that can swamp the competition.

In Ohio, a group of Republican activists in July created a new, tax-exempt entity called Freedom Vote with the express purpose of raising money to help pay for the type of turnout operations traditionally underwritten by the RNC.

“I understood that the lack of resources from the RNC was going to have a severe impact on what the parties were going to be able to do,” said Tom Whatman, a former Ohio state party executive director and an adviser to the new organization.

The anxiety among state leaders has only heightened as the party’s prospects in the fall improved, including a decent shot at retaking control of the House. Party insiders want to make sure no opportunity is lost because of a lack of resources.

Their challenge is compounded by time. The RNC’s financial weakness was apparent in the spring, but the dire nature of it only became evident last month when the committee’s July financial disclosure report showed the longstanding fundraising giant had just $5 million in cash and $2 million in debt.

In the 2008 election cycle, Ohio alone received $5 million from the RNC for its voter turnout operation, according to the Federal Election Commission. In the 2006 midterm elections, it received $4 million. As of early September, the Buckeye State has received less than $500,000 from the RNC, according to FEC and RNC records and officials.

Similar steep reductions in aid are on track for other major swing states, including Pennsylvania, where the party is hoping to capture the governorship, multiple House seats, and control of the state legislature.

“We have so many candidates running in competitive races. We need more funds than even in a normal year. We are hoping that having the wind at our back will help overcome the financial shortfall we will have,” said Mike Barley, a spokesman for the Republican Party of Pennsylvania. “There are so many people with their hands out.”

Doug Heye, an RNC spokesman, said that despite the tighter financing, the committee is opening volunteer “Victory” offices earlier — and in more states — and that the party’s energized volunteers are making up for in work what the party lacks in money.

That’s been the experience of Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady. After years of being largely ignored as a ‘blue state,’ his committee is seeing its first major infusion of RNC cash.

Excerpted - Read full article at http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/41733.html


TOPICS: Front Page News; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: rnc
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To: Lurker

Really? I knew the NRSC was involved there, but never saw anything about the RNC being involved. Do you have a source for this?


21 posted on 09/04/2010 3:55:43 PM PDT by Republican Wildcat
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To: alice_in_bubbaland

There was not a primary there.


22 posted on 09/04/2010 3:56:16 PM PDT by Republican Wildcat
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To: Republican Wildcat

Yes there was, between a Liberal Republican (Suczzafava sp?) and a Tea Party Candidate (Hoffman). The Republican Party gave its blessing and $ to the liberal.


23 posted on 09/04/2010 3:59:31 PM PDT by alice_in_bubbaland (Professional Politicians are a Threat to the Republic! Remove them on 11-2-10!)
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To: Republican Wildcat
I intentionally NEVER give money to the RINO National Committee.

All my donations go directly to Sarah, Michelle, Paul Ryan, etc.

Not gonna get fooled twice.

24 posted on 09/04/2010 4:00:44 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum ("The only stable state is one in which all men are equal before the law." -- Aristotle)
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To: Republican Wildcat

There was NY 23, too.


25 posted on 09/04/2010 4:06:11 PM PDT by Lurker (The avalanche has begun. The pebbles no longer have a vote.)
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To: alice_in_bubbaland

No, there was not a primary in that race. It was a special election not in line with a normal election cycle so the nominee was chosen by the local party precinct committees. Money I’m sure was spent by the RNC on the party nominee in that special electon race. The party committees in that district made a terrible choice in the end, even Pataki (who is no conservative) did not endorse her, then everyone, including the RNC, bailed on her in the end. She then endorsed the Dem out of spite.


26 posted on 09/04/2010 4:07:41 PM PDT by Republican Wildcat
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To: IllumiNaughtyByNature

Same here. We have given hundreds of dollars to individual candidates and organizations, but none to the RNC or NRSC. NFW they’re getting any of my money to hand out the John McCain or Lindsay Graham or the like. NFW.


27 posted on 09/04/2010 4:09:26 PM PDT by Trust but Verify
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To: Republican Wildcat
state party leaders now are turning to outside groups — or creating their own

States rights anyone ??? I say this is a good thing, keep it more local and out of the hands of grubby RNC. The real battle for America's soul is on the local streets of America, not in some townhouse on K Street

28 posted on 09/04/2010 4:11:28 PM PDT by Mr_Moonlight
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To: Lurker

There wasn’t a primary in that race. They did waste money on an awful nominee named by the local party precinct committee, however. The establishment being stupid isn’t necessarily always the RNC.


29 posted on 09/04/2010 4:13:02 PM PDT by Republican Wildcat
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To: Republican Wildcat
The establishment being stupid isn’t necessarily always the RNC.

But that is the way to bet.

30 posted on 09/04/2010 4:14:35 PM PDT by Lurker (The avalanche has begun. The pebbles no longer have a vote.)
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To: Lurker

Perhaps...

This is a secondary argument anyhow. This can’t explain the severe drop off alone in the fundraising numbers. People have been far more upset with the NRCC and the NRSC behavior and they are not having these kinds of problems with fundraising, but the RNC is. You have to look directly at the incompetence of the leadership in not being able to do the basics. Michael Steele’s gaffes, scandals (strip club payments), inability to even ask for funds aggressively have contributed to this situation.


31 posted on 09/04/2010 4:22:26 PM PDT by Republican Wildcat
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To: Republican Wildcat

Well, if the RINO National Committee doesn’t go back to its Conservative underpinnings, then it may become near bankrupt and rather useless.

Why on Earth do they not understand what is happening?
We are not contributing, and others, more like minded to a herd of RINOs, are contributing to the real deal Socialists. - The DNC


32 posted on 09/04/2010 4:25:08 PM PDT by bill1952 (Choice is an illusion created between those with power - and those without)
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To: Republican Wildcat

GOOD!

The RNC will NEVER get one thin DIME nor ONE copper PENNY from me.


33 posted on 09/04/2010 4:29:03 PM PDT by patriot preacher
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To: patriot preacher

S-C-O, Z-Z-A, F-L-A-V-A


34 posted on 09/04/2010 4:36:13 PM PDT by BenKenobi (We cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once. -Silent Cal)
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To: Republican Wildcat
Alarmed by the hobbled financial status of the Republican National Committee, state party leaders now are turning to outside groups — or creating their own — to ensure they have a robust voter turnout operation in November that can swamp the competition.

This is why the RNC isn't flush with cash. People and groups are opting to donate directly to the candidates, to other PACs, or to the state GOPs. Why give your money to a bunch of RINOs when you can just give directly to the candidate?
35 posted on 09/04/2010 4:39:59 PM PDT by Terpfen (FR is being Alinskied. Remember, you only take flak when you're over the target.)
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To: AdmSmith; Arthur Wildfire! March; Berosus; bigheadfred; blueyon; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; ...

Thanks Republican Wildcat.


36 posted on 09/04/2010 4:42:59 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Democratic Underground... matters are worse, as their latest fund drive has come up short...)
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To: JRandomFreeper

Well put.


37 posted on 09/04/2010 4:44:03 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Democratic Underground... matters are worse, as their latest fund drive has come up short...)
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To: Republican Wildcat

HEY MIKEY, CAN YOU HEAR US NOW?

Same goes for Cornyn.


38 posted on 09/04/2010 4:45:49 PM PDT by mazda77 (Rubio for US Senate - West FL22nd - Scott for FL Gov. - Miller AK US Senate)
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To: bill1952

Bill, they are already useless.We only need to bankrupt them now.


39 posted on 09/04/2010 4:49:51 PM PDT by HANG THE EXPENSE (Life is tough.It's tougher when you're stupid.)
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To: alice_in_bubbaland

And we’re contributing directly to the conservative Republican.


40 posted on 09/04/2010 5:28:20 PM PDT by FrdmLvr ( VIVA la SB 1070!)
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