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
all you gotta do is look at the slacker in charge of the party to understand the issues.
The RNC is a pack of RINO’s. There is a new generation of Republicans being born.
Michael. Steele.
I’ve donated more this year than I ever have, but instead of giving it to the RNC, I am giving it to the candidates that need it, in competitive districts, and not where it will be used to support id1ots like McLame and Co.
With the GOP’s chances looking so good this November, I find it strange the Dems have raised so much more money than the GOP. Something does not add up. Somebody must have really dropped the ball.
Whether or not that’s true, they are in charge of raising the funds and fund our turnout operations. The fact there is little to no funding available for any turnout operations is not a good thing going into the general election.
Mayhaps the RNC should pander to it's base and publicly execute, evicerate, and display the heads of some RINOs. Because the big group of guys with torches, pitchforks, rails, feathers and tar aren't going to roll over anymore.
/johnny
They better.
The RNC has turned against it's own supporters and their supporters have responded in kind with the ONLY thing they understand...NO $$$.
Yes indeed. We’ve been unhappy with some of the RNC leadership in the past, but they at least knew how to do one of the most basic things - raise money to fund these critical turnout operations.
People are p.o.'ed. and it won't be easy to smooth over. Heads will have to roll.
/johnny
johnny...don’t forget our guns and bibles :)
The also fund and help get RINO’s nominated. The are part of the problem that is DC.
/johnny
The=They
They're hunkered in the bunker without a clue.
Really? What examples do you have of the RNC getting involved in a primary?
Crist v Rubio
Are these candidates raising so much more money then to be able to fund their own turnout operations? Not seeing it. Even with the discontent of people like us, that doesn’t explain this incredible level of fundraising drop off. People have been saying that here for a long time year after year - the RNC has never had this poor showing in fundraising. Most people have actually been more upset with past behavior of the NRSC and NRCC, neither of which are having any problems with fundraising. The incompetence of Michael Steele and his team are the main culprits.
Does NY 23 ring any bells.
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