RNC fractures amid spending dust-up

[hyphenate]

I might be really mean, because the more I read these kinds of headlines, the harder I laugh.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-rnc6-2010apr06,0,7241350.story

RNC fractures amid spending dust-up
Steele's future as chairman is put further in doubt as two more staffers resign and an independent GOP group launches its own fundraising drive.
By James Oliphant

April 5, 2010 | 5:24 p.m.

Reporting from Washington - Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, who is already under attack for his handling of party finances and lackluster fundraising, is facing a new threat to his leadership: an independent GOP group spearheaded by some party luminaries that will compete for campaign dollars.

Steele shrugged off calls for his resignation Monday but then, handed his critics perhaps even more ammunition by suggesting that he was being held to a higher standard because he is the first African American to lead the party.

Adding to the committee's woes, RNC Chief of Staff Ken McKay resigned Monday following a controversy over $2,000 the party spent entertaining donors at a West Hollywood sex-themed nightclub, Voyeur. It was uncertain Monday whether McKay was pushed out or decided to leave on his own.

It was also revealed Monday that a prominent donor, Sam Fox, the former ambassador to Belgium and a strong supporter of George W. Bush, had resigned from the committee's fundraising board. The news was first reported by the newspaper and website Politico.

As the committee grappled with the developments Monday, GOP power brokers such as former White House counselors Karl Rove and Ed Gillespie were ramping up a new political effort, American Crossroads, dedicated to electing Republican candidates this fall and beyond. The group hopes to raise more than $50 million this year. Former RNC Chairman Mike Duncan has also signed on.

Unlike the RNC, however, the new group, a 527 organization, can raise unlimited funds from corporations and individuals and spend it to influence elections, meaning that it could serve as a more powerful campaign engine than the beleaguered national committee, which, according to a new Federal Election Commission report, has about $9.4 million in cash on hand.

[hyphenate]

1. kick?

[old mark]

2. Hang in there, Michael! Many of us Democrats support you! You are

doing a great job for us and we want to see you continue at least till 2012.


mark