NPR NEWS-RNC Sex-Club Flap Only Tip Of Fundraising Iceberg

[Ichingcarpenter]

The Republican National Committee is busy this week doing damage control after its monthly financial report was filed with a nugget about a $1,900 tab run up by some donors at a topless nightclub. But beneath that furor lies another question: If the RNC is raising record amounts of money, why does it have so little of it left in the bank?

The RNC says one staffer went on the nightclub jaunt, submitted the bill as a committee expense, and has now been fired. But that was only the raciest bit of a West Coast trip by RNC Chairman Michael Steele and other party officials. Some other items cost considerably more than an evening watching simulated sex.

"You had more than $9,000 that was spent at a Beverly Hills hotel," said David Levinthal, communications director of the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. "There was more than $6,500 that was spent at a Four Seasons hotel."

'A Risky Proposition'

These might seem like garden-variety gotchas on the expense account — except for this: The RNC is spending more money than it's raising. Since January 2009, the RNC has raised $109 million, but spent $115 million.

"It's a risky proposition. If you spend a lot of money and your fundraising operation is not keeping pace, then when it's crunch time — and you're really making your final push — are you going to be able to do it in a major way?" Levinthal said. "That's a question for the RNC right now."


SNIP.........
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125361364

[Dr.Phool]

1. Let's give a hearty round of applause to Michael Steele.

He'll leave the Republicans as bankrupt financially as they are morally.

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. Under the title 'Office Supplies' they bought booze at a liquor store in DC

LOL!

[PuraVidaDreamin]

3. Bumping for that little diddy

60 Grand for booze!

[mucifer]

4. I hope they don't find this going on with our side. You know the repubs are

digging up info.

[Fleshdancer]

5. Bad with money? You don't say. I guess it's time for them to appoint a Democrat as the RNC leader

Maybe then they'll be motivated to balance their budget. :eyes:

[zbdent]

6. it sure as hell would be subject to more scrutiny ...

[Nikki Stone1]

7. NPR really must need ratings.

Sex club stories used to be too sordid for them.

[Ichingcarpenter]

8. Michael Steele studied three years to be a CATHOLIC PRIEST

I thought that bit of historic fact was amusing. Anyway

I mentioned NPR in the title because they normally don't after Repulicans and I thought the title was worth it.
The money was spent and called “off the hook”a outreach campaign targeting young, alternative voters