The other day some blogs and news outlets made a big stink about this silly RNC fundraising presentation that somehow wound up in Democratic hands. Today a big RNC donor has closed his checkbook because of it. He cites his reasons in the letter below:
March 5, 2010
Chairman Michael Steele
Republican National Committee
310 First Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
Dear Mr. Chairman:
Like many Republicans today, I am ashamed of the fundraising presentation given by RNC Finance Director Rob Bickhart at last month’s GOP gathering in Boca Grande, Florida. The depictions of President Obama, Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Harry Reid were shameful, immature and uncivil, at best. While I realize your office made steps to distance you from this presentation I’m afraid the presentation is representative of a culture and mindset within the Republican National Committee; consequently, I will no longer contribute to any fundraising entity of our Party—but will contribute only to individual candidates I choose to support.
I have been a member of the Republican Eagles on a number of occasions in the past, including the 2008 cycle. I have been constantly solicited by the RNC, the NRSC and the NRCC, among other GOP organizations and efforts. Recently I was visited in my office by Lynn Westmoreland, who shared with me the redistricting efforts he is leading in the House. He was requesting funds for this initiative (without the sort of nonsense presented recently by your Finance Director) and I was considering contributing to the project. I will not consider doing so now, with apologies to Congressman Westmoreland
Mr. Chairman, I love giving money to candidates at every level who I believe in and want to see elected. But it is becoming increasingly difficult to consider making a contribution to the Party itself. The sort of behavior displayed in Boca Grande only contributes to the widespread cynicism of politics in general and our Party in particular. It is, in my opinion, indefensible and destructive.
Sincerely,
Mark DeMoss
President, The DeMoss Group
Founder, CivilityProject.org
Ashamed? Mr. DeMoss get a grip. I am not ashamed of the depictions of Pelosi, Reid or Obama. When I think of some of the downright evil stuff the left have created of Bush and Palin, I cannot imagine anyone being ashamed of these silly depictions.
The problem I have with the fundraising presentation is that it shows the RNC is still operating with a pre-2009 mentality. There is a shift taking place in the fundamentals of American politics today. It stems from a growing desire from the electorate for a smaller Federal government. Where is the acknowledgement of that in this fundraising presentation?
If the RNC wants me to crack open my wallet, then I have to see that they understand the desperate need to shrink government. I want them to show me that they are serious about ceding Federal power back to the states.
I don’t need to be warned about the evils of socialism or to see the Democrat leadership mocked. The Democrats prove themselves to be incompetent socialism loving fools each and everyday on they are on the national stage. Instead the RNC needs to show me exactly how they are going to clean up after Obama and the Democrats drunken spending orgy.
Via: Memeorandum
Via: Politico
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6 comments:
Perfect post. I've refrained from posting on the RNC presentation for some of the same reasons you did, particularly the jaw-droppingly out of touch (as you say pre-2009) mentality. It was politics as usual, work the fear & mock the opposition. Frankly, it's not only "old school," but it smacked of Alinsky to me. Anyway, I'm with you, the RNC needs to start talking to and listening to regular people. They are obviously just as clueless as the trio of clowns running the exec and legislative branches.
they're still in the "vote for us because we're not the other party" mode. They are being a bit presumptuous thinking that conservative leaning voters are still all too willing to vote for the lesser of two evils. I think the American public is past that now.
Hey RNC: Show us a GOOD product, and maybe we'll buy it! We don't care that you're NOT Nancy, Harry, or Barack. SHOW US WHO YOU REALLY ARE!
The problem I have with this presentation is that Scooby Doo was included when there are so many more obviously evil children's characters to indict: Barney, Elmo, the Teletubbies, Jay Jay the Jetplane, Gumby and Pokey, Davey and Goliath, et (interminably) cetera . . .
That said, while it is fun to laugh (and so necessary, when my tummy is tied in knots every day) at these clowns, I agree that something more earnest and serious and practical is needed from the RNC at this crucial moment when we teeter on the edge of this precipice of crushing debt and regulation.
Fuzzy Slippers:
I was quite alarmed by the old mentality of the presentation. I certainly was not surprised by the disdain. Elitist are elitist no matter what side of the aisle they lie. However, the Republican Party is being handed a thunderous comeback by both the Tea Party's activism and the Democrats incompetence, it is shocking to see they are clueless about how to capitalize on the two.
hparis:
" they're still in the "vote for us because we're not the other party" mode."
This is what truly scares me about handing Republicans victories in 2010 and 2012. I am not for third parties before 2012, but after that I am more than willing to let the floodgates open!
Justine:
Yes there are far better characters to portray Dingy Harry as. Scooby Doo? I don't get it.
But seriously, you are right. These are serious times and the RNC can do a lot better than mocking the Democrats. Heck the Democrats are doing a fine job be-clowning themselves.
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