The Spectacle Blog
Via the Examiner's J.P. Freire, it appears the National Republican Congressional Committee (a.k.a., "The Establishment") is perfectly happy with the 60+ House seats they've gained and don't feel the need to assure that Tea Party candidate Renee Ellmers keeps her victory over incumbent Rep. Bob "Who Are You?" Etheridge in North Carolina's 2nd District. She reported yesterday on her blog:
Election night, after the ten counties in my district had reported their votes, I led Bob Etheridge by 2,100 votes. (That number is crucial because under North Carolina law Congressman Etheridge is not entitled to an ‘automatic recount' if he trails by more than 1% - or 1,888 votes.)
Then, yesterday afternoon - unexpectedly - the vote totals changed. The State Board of Elections reported my lead had dropped to 1,600 votes. Two hours later Bob Etheridge announced he intended to call for a recount.
As a result, last night my campaign began hiring attorneys - eleven attorneys in all. One in each county to monitor each recount and an attorney to work with the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
Right now, our best estimate of the minimum cost we face is $50,000. But, of course, my campaign spent every penny we had before the election.
Yesterday, we appealed to the National Republican Congressional Committee for support, asking if they could contribute to help pay the costs of this recount. Their answer, unfortunately, was, No - that we would have to raise the money to pay for the recount ourselves.
I was afraid that would be their answer. Months ago, I went to Washington and asked the National Republican Congressional Committee and many conservative leaders to help my campaign. Many conservative groups - like the Susan B. Anthony List, Concerned Women of America, Freedom Works, and Sarah Palin's Sarah PAC all helped, but the NRCC declined. Later, they did support other campaigns in North Carolina - which, unfortunately, lost - but we never received their support. In fact, their spokesman told the press "that the campaign wasn't ready for prime time" - which actually made it even harder for us to raise money. So, I am doubtful we will get support from the NRCC to help with the expense of the recount.
The NRCC really misread who the vulnerable Democrats were here in North Carolina. They thought Mike McIntyre, Heath Shuler, and Larry Kissell -- all of whom voted against Obamacare and cap-and-trade -- were the right targets, and they were to a degree, but not while ignoring longtime incumbent Etheridge. Those other three won while Ellmers holds a slim lead over Etheridge.
As of Election Day the Center for Responsive Politics reports the NRCC has more than $11 million in cash-on-hand. I know that's not an earth-shattering amount, but can they be serious that they can't spare $50,000 to at least help one of their own assure her victory?
Maybe Ellmers just embarrassed them too much by her showing, so they're willing to throw her overboard.
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Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 11.5.10 @ 10:56AM
The Republican leadership has made a good case for a variation of Murphy's Law, where they appear to do everything possibly wrong, all the while claiming that everyone else is stupid or an extremist.
Tyler| 11.5.10 @ 11:07AM
The Washington Generals are at it again, trying to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. They feel their leadership positions are threatened so they're willing to hang Tea Party candidates out to dry in order to support the narrative that they can't win. This will only lead to more and more stolen elections by the Democrats.
Pat| 11.5.10 @ 4:59PM
You can contribute to Rene Ellmer's fund to monitor the recount at
http://www.reneeforcongress.com/
Sean| 11.5.10 @ 11:04AM
You need to understand they need to keep that money so that they can find some Crists and Castles to run. They don't want limited government. How are they going to get corporate donors if they can't hand out government favors and contracts to this company and that company?
Pat| 11.5.10 @ 4:51PM
Everyone please EMAIL PETE SESSIONS and urge the NRCC to send funds to Rene Ellmers:
website@nrcc.org
Let's overwhelm that site. Sessions's speech on the NRCC website belies his refusal to support Rene. They are as dense at the Dems--they don't get it yet.
Tina Ferrer| 11.5.10 @ 11:39AM
Renee, we just saw this. We knew after we educated the Democrats that the GOP establishment will need to recalibrate their own thoughts and education. For some reason the GOP thinks they won this all by way of their own devices. I'm posting anonymously as our team is tasked with letting the GOP know where that bear actually s**** in the woods. If the old failed guard doesn't get it like Mr. Graham, Mr. Pence, etc., they’re out.
I would recommend that unless Mike Pence gets these folks under control including himself, they have two years left until their calling Feingold requesting directions to the private sector. Pence should take heed of the constituency that made this happen if he thinks he’s running in 2012 but we’re not counting on it. I just wish I could use my own name but the art of surprise is where the leverage is here. The old guard republicans don’t understand that this midterm was not a vote for them but against Obama. The American People are merely giving them another chance to move this whole political dynamic around without screwing it up and the screwing up part has already begun with the first utterance of GOP flatulence made by Lindsey Graham. If the GOP understands how this historical midterm Mac Truck came to be and they succeed outstanding, if they fail? They are gone by way of that same Mac Truck. This is what they don’t get but will even if that means them waking up to the reality that after years of putrid service they are now without a job. Renee, moving money your way…..
Ivan| 11.5.10 @ 11:42AM
Obviously, she is a very defective candidate. :)
Eric Cartman| 11.5.10 @ 12:01PM
This is why its so important to not trust the GOP yet. Remember, not one thin dime for the NRCC - support the candidates, not the DC weak-knees. May as well let them know - I did:
202-497-7000
http://www.nrcc.org/
around the track| 11.5.10 @ 1:26PM
Eric, you're so right. I didn't give a penney to any of the national Republicans, only individuals and I am about to contribute to Renee--hope others follow.
Pat| 11.5.10 @ 4:53PM
They are as dense at the Dems--they don't get it yet.
EMAIL PETE SESSIONS and urge the NRCC to send funds to Rene Ellmers:
website@nrcc.org
Nothing to NRCC. And send funds to Rene.
ml| 11.5.10 @ 12:23PM
I wouldn't support the NRCC in the first place because they don't want the Tea Party and conservatives to win. They are hurting the Republican Party.
Conservative Bob| 11.5.10 @ 1:33PM
Don't know how hard it is to raise money at this point but I am sending a contribution and contacted my Local Tea Party and Freedom Works to see if they can help.
If you look at the conversations going on and listen to the usual suspects it is clear that the GOP ruling elites are happy for the increase in their numbers but are not so keen on given real power to the folks that got them those numbers.
I have given the last dime I will ever give to the GOP (in 2008) until there is a meaningful change in leadership.
If they fail to understand the message of this election, they may soon have a chance to see how well they compete against a Conservative Party. My guess is that when people go to the polls and have a choice between liberal (Dem) and liberal light/moderate (GOP) and conservative that they will choose the real thing whatever their preference. That does not bode well for the RINO ruling elites.
Michael L. Hauschild| 11.5.10 @ 1:41PM
I just sent her some cash. Mr. Chesser, thanks for letting us know about this.
JimmyT| 11.5.10 @ 2:01PM
Pence, Ryan, Cantor and the rest of the establishment repubs are on notice. If they choose NOT to jump in and save this seat, don't even consider running for the 2012 nomination. They'll just be wasting their time and money. IMHO
John Richardson| 11.5.10 @ 2:11PM
One minor correction on Heath Shuler - he DID vote for cap-and-trade but against ObamaCare. What I think all three of the Dem's that made it had going for them was the NRA endorsement which Etheridge did not have.
As to the NRCC, they can lump it as far as I'm concerned. I sent Renee $100 last night and called the NRCC at 9:30am this morning to let them know what I thought of them.
mypitts2| 11.5.10 @ 3:10PM
Even as a NC supporter of her opponent, Bob Etheridge, I'm scratching my head at this one. This is not the start of the campaign, but the end, and she is leading in the vote count as it stands now. She has proven she is competitive. $50,000 is walk-around money for the NRCC; why wouldn't they give it to her to try and help her hold onto the seat? Hey, I'm not complaining -- but it doesn't make sense to me. It seems almost personal.
a| 11.5.10 @ 10:18PM
I notice that you didn't bother to contact the NRCC to find out what the hell is going on.
Oh, no: you can do your own homework. I shan't spoil the surprise.