Want to take back the Senate? Pay up, GOP

Republican Senate leaders, sensing an opportunity to pick up several seats and possibly win the majority, have a blunt message for their GOP colleagues: Open your wallets.

For years, GOP senators have been stingy with the National Republican Senatorial Committee, refusing to make large transfers of money out of their personal campaign accounts that could help their party compete in neck-and-neck races across the country. For 2012, Democratic senators transferred nearly five times more to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee than Republicans gave to the NRSC.

Continue Reading

And just like last year, an initial look at the Senate map shows a path to the majority. It won?t be easy: Republicans will have to knock off well-financed Democratic incumbents, defend Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and limit the internecine primary warfare that has twice cost them a chance at the majority.

Top GOP senators say that?s exactly the point: Not maximizing the NRSC?s operations could be another unforced error. In short, without more money, you?ll still be in the minority.

?I?ve been constantly explaining to my colleagues, the importance of us coming together,? said NRSC Chairman Jerry Moran of Kansas. ?And dollars matter. And we need your help to put dollars in the bank.?

The Senate and House campaign committees have certainly been marginalized in recent election cycles with the growth of high-spending super PACs that can raise and dump unlimited sums of money to influence races across the country.

But the committees do play key roles in recruiting candidates, making tactical decisions and, of course, launching a barrage of 30-second attack ads in an attempt to shape perceptions of their respective opponents.

The NRSC had about $7 million in cash and raised $14 million through the end of May, compared with $9.6 million in the bank for the DSCC, which has received $22 million in contributions. To help make up the difference, NRSC leaders have scheduled a July 18 fundraising day when senators will be calling up donors directly seeking solicitations, with at least a dozen Republicans planning on attending, according to GOP aides.

?I think we should ask our members to do more, particularly in a year when we really do have an opportunity to gain seats,? said Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, the chief fundraiser for the NRSC.

That?s where senators like Alabama?s Richard Shelby enter the picture.

Shelby hasn?t had to worry about a tough reelection bid in years, but he?s sitting on a war chest of $17.7 million through the end of the first quarter, with no plans of making large transfers to the NRSC. He explained his lack of giving by pointing out that he?s appeared at fundraisers and made contributions to the committee through his leadership PAC.

But asked why he hasn?t transferred big bucks out of his massive war chest, Shelby said his donors wouldn?t be happy.

?I raise money out of my campaign for myself ? not for you or anyone else,? Shelby said. ?I tell my givers who it?s for. If they knew I was going to raise it to give it away, they probably wouldn?t give it away.?

Source: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/want-to-take-back-the-senate-pay-up-gop-93794.html

grenada grenada Sikh Sanya Richards Ross decathlon Honey Boo Boo Child Nathan Adrian