GOP: Too broke to win?
As the Republicans enter a very favorable election year, the RNC is struggling for cash. Is it time for new leadership?
This year should be a good one for Republicans, but it's not clear the GOP will have the cash to capitalize on the growing voter discontent with Democrats. Parties typically fill their coffers before election years, but gaffe-prone Republican National Committee head Michael Steele drained his war chest by $15 million, from $22.8 million to just $8.7 million, by spending heavily on off-year elections. Will Steele's free spending cost the GOP its return from political exile? (Watch Michael Steele discuss the GOP's chances)
Give Steele the boot: Michael Steele's frequent "embarrassing and idiotic statements" are bad enough, says Philip Klein in The American Spectator. But depleting the RNC war chest as we enter "the best political environment for Republicans since at least 2004" is inexcusable. "Given that the primary duties of the RNC chairman are to communicate and fundraise...is there a case to me made for not firing him?"
"Is there a good argument for not firing Michael Steele?"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
I spent a fortune, and all I got was two lousy governorships: Steele's heavy bets on off-year elections "paid some dividends," says Steve Benen in Washington Monthly. The GOP lost all five special House races in 2009, but won two big prizes in the governorships of New Jersey and Virginia. Still, Steele had better hope his coffers benefit from an improving economy and a GOP base betting that a "takeover of at least one chamber is a possibility."
The RNC's broke, but the GOP's fine: Wealthy Republican donors are still giving money to the party, says Ralph Hallow in The Washington Times, they're just "shunning" Michael Steele and the RNC in favor of other GOP committees and individual candidates. It doesn't inspire confidence that Steele's personal accounts are filling up — thanks to paid speaking engagements and his book tour — while the RNC's are draining.
"Steele's side pursuits drive away big donors"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Republicans and Democrats should both be worried: Steele's not helping the GOP cause — he told Sean Hannity the party won't, and isn't ready to, retake the House this year, says Jonathan Capehart in The Washington Post. But the GOP's main problem is that it's "at war with itself," and that isn't Steele's fault. I'd still rather be the GOP this year, though — "the American people are mad as hell," and look set to give Democrats the "customary party-in-power beat-down."
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published