Desperate for Dollars, the RNC Hangs State Parties Out to Dry

First it was the NRSC sending out a fundraiser last year that had the potential to scam those easily intimidated. Now the RNC appears to be throwing the NCGOP and other local GOP organizations under the bus.

The latest fundraiser? It's the mass distribution of "limited edition" photographs of Dubya and the wife. Yes, I'm a proud owner of one of these unique "limited edition" photographs of George and Laura Bush.

I'm sure it is quite valuable. It's a limited edition.....and it's signed.

I know, I know. You're all thinking what a lucky girl I am to have such a valuable photograph. Admittedly, I wouldn't have it without the help of my Republican husband. You see, he knew how important the photograph would be to me, so he wasted no time bringing it to my office. Unframed. This facilitates the application of a cork backing.



You might be wondering how selling a magnificent picture of George and Laura hangs state and local parties out to dry. Well, that part comes out in the four page letter that accompanies said exclusive, limited-edition photograph.

They are really pleased as punch with this photograph.

I hope you are as proud to receive the enclosed personalized photograph of President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush as I am to send it to you today.

For more than six years, the liberals have peppered President Bush with personal insults, brazenly blocked critical legislation for partisan political purposes, and even issued bullying threats of impeachment....

Trust me. I'm freakin' thrilled to own this new dart board photograph. I can think of no better way to combat those scaaaaaaary libruls than to sell photos of Dubya to stoopid Republicans. Puh-leeze!

The letter goes on to make other completely false claims like:

I have no doubt that our nation is safer, freer, and more prosperous today because George W. Bush is our President.

Now isn't that a load of happy horse manure?

But, here's the part where the RNC proves just how greedy they really are. Instead of joining with their state parties to strengthen them, the RNC chooses to differentiate themselves as the "official" Republican organization.

I am writing to you today on behalf of our President and the entire leadership of the Republican Party to invite you to join our cause as the newest member of the Republican National Committee (RNC) from North Carolina.

The RNC is THE national Party organization. We serve as the umbrella group for state and local Party committees, leading the effort to elect Republican candidates to office at all levels, all across the country.

The President has given the RNC a broad, yet clear, mandate -- Build the Party's grassroots base of support and lay the groundwork for Republicans to regain control of both Chambers of Congress and hold onto the White House in the 2008 elections.

Get that? They are THE national organization. The "have no imitations", "we're the big boys with the presidential mandate" language has got to have some state party leaders feeling just a bit emasculated. Quick! Somebody ask Linda Daves how it feels to have the RNC pull the rug out from under her just when she's getting to sit in the big boy chair.

If you've read this far thinking I'm going to provide a link to a scan of my valuable, personalized, signed, limited-edition photograph, you can keep on wishing. If I violated the RNC's copyright and shared an image of the photograph, I would immediately devalue the millions limited number of photographs currently on the market.

As thrilled as I am with my new prized piccie, I wonder how many Republicans will be equally thrilled. The RNC decided to take no chances that the photograph alone would entice their loyal base into sending money. They resorted to a favorite Republican tactic.

Fear.

Most Americans are still decidedly more conservative than Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senate Democrat (sic) Leader Harry Reid, and other leading Democrats such as Howard Dean and Hillary Clinton.

Now is clearly not the time to walk away from your Party and your President. Now is the time to rally behind all we believe in, to move our Party forward, for the good of country and future generations.

Boy, do they sound scared. They should be. Bush's approval ratings among Republicans is still between 72% and 76% according to most recent polls. However, that's down about 20 points over this time four years ago. That can put a pinch on fundraising. Even worse for Republicans, Bush has only about 24% approval among Independents. At a time when Republicans are struggling to maintain their voter base, it's going to be next to impossible for them to expand their donor base.

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!