Michelle Malkin » Report: Secret NRCC consultants abandoning GOP candidates

Report: Secret NRCC consultants abandoning GOP candidates

By Michelle Malkin • October 27, 2008 12:59 PM

Back in May, you helped give the National Republican Congressional Committee the spanking it deserved.

Looks like it’s time to get out the paddle again.

John Gizzi at Human Events reports that a special unit of the NRCC is making stealth decisions to abandon conservative Republican candidates.

The Stupid Party: Its own worst enemy.

Read:

In just this week, the word has come that this has been the fate of several embattled lawmakers. Twenty-four hours after learning of the pull-out from Bachmann’s district, I also had confirmed from spokeswoman Karen Hanretty that the NRCC deployed an “exit strategy” in the districts of Republican Reps. Marilyn Musgrave (Col.) and Tom Feeney (Fla.). Like Bachmann. both are in the political fights of their life and both are conservative swashbucklers of long-standing: Musgrave is one of the premier cultural conservatives in the House and Feeney, who gained national attention as speaker of the Florida House of Representatives during the contested election of 2000, founded the House Conservative Fund (HCF) in Congress.

What is more startling than the pulling of the ads in the districts of all three is who made the decision and how it was done. In separate conversations, both Chairman Cole and the NRCC’s Hanretty told me that the pullout was decided on not by the chairman himself or House Members on the NRCC board but — are you ready for this — an “IE [for “Independent Expenditure”] Unit” of private consultants who make the decisions outside the NRCC offices.

IE Unit? No oversight by Cole and Company? You got it. In fact, in confirming that the NRCC was out of the districts of Musgrave and Feeney, Hanretty e-mailed me: “The IE Unit [Italics added] pulled reserved time in both districts.”

When Cole explained to me that the decision on Bachmann had nothing to do with her remarks on Matthews’ program and that he himself had given her substantial donations from his political action committee (“We did not cut and run on Michele”), he also explained that the decision on pulling back NRCC-reserved ads came from this “IE Unit.”

Because of the complex campaign finance laws (“and they are stupid!” he added), in part crafted by John McCain and signed into law by George W. Bush, Cole noted, a separate body from the NRCC has to make the decisions on where to invest funding and how much to do it with.

If that leaves you bewildered, get this:

When I asked who they are specifically, the Oklahoman explained: “They are a group of private political consultants, some of them very conservative. And they work out of a building separate from our headquarters.”

Swell. Can you tell me who they are, I asked?

“No, I’m not going to do that,” Cole said with a chuckle, “I’m sure you know a lot of them. Maybe after the election I’ll tell you. But right now, I don’t want to subject them to a lot of harassment.”

The NRCC blog is here.

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#101

On October 27th, 2008 at 6:36 pm, Ron said:

So, any other parties out there we can go to? Libertarian? What else is there? I’d be happy to torpedo this crappy party if I had an alternative.
#102

On October 27th, 2008 at 6:51 pm, WarEagle82 said:

Ron,

I have looked at the Libertarians but think my beliefs are more closely matched by the Constitution Party at http://www.constitutionparty.com. Take a look there for more info.
#103

On October 27th, 2008 at 7:19 pm, cicerokid said:

#48 “Otherwise find a book written by someone other than Marx, Lennin, Che, or Debbs and read it.”

Don’t forget Malcom x and Cone.
#104

On October 27th, 2008 at 7:36 pm, happy2behere said:

My ideal POTUS would be Reagan – without the deficits. Until we have a candidate like that were not takin’ anything back. And dont tell me the next best thing is Palin, she’s cool but her communication style and horse power need lots of work.
#105

On October 27th, 2008 at 8:35 pm, K2 said:

It is sad to see the NRCC abandoned Michelle Bachmann. She voted AGAINST the bail-out (both times). She fought for oil exploration HERE and even traveled to Alaska to see ANWR. She was been a strong voice for energy independence. She is a true conservative.

MN has too many idiots running on the DEM ticket….. Tinkleberry(sp) – Franken – Ellison…..
#106

On October 27th, 2008 at 10:46 pm, Republicanvet said:

an “IE [for “Independent Expenditure”] Unit” of private consultants who make the decisions outside the NRCC offices.

“No, I’m not going to do that,” Cole said with a chuckle, “I’m sure you know a lot of them. Maybe after the election I’ll tell you. But right now, I don’t want to subject them to a lot of harassment.”

Who are these raving azzhats running these organizations?

It’s no wonder the GOP is in such sorry shape at all levels with buffoons such as this running things.

But then I wonder, who really is the buffoon? This guy? or those of us who donated hard earned money only to find out some private group is calling the shots regarding how those donations are spent?

It will be a very long time before I donate again to the GOP if they think my inquiry into how my donation is spent by them constitutes harassment.
#107

On October 27th, 2008 at 10:55 pm, ITookTheRedPill said:

Get the Communists out of the Republican party!
#108

On October 27th, 2008 at 10:56 pm, ITookTheRedPill said:

A week before the election, the Communists ensure that Conservatives get funds cut off, and Democratic Socialists running against them get an infusion of $$$ to run negative TV ads.

The conservatives are left without the funds to respond.
#109

On October 28th, 2008 at 8:48 am, rightwingrocker said:

So, any other parties out there we can go to? Libertarian? What else is there? I’d be happy to torpedo this crappy party if I had an alternative.

After the election, plans are in the works to attempt to bring together the conservative parties (Independent, Libertarian, and Constitution, along with Federalist Republicans) and form a party under a platform that will hopefully resemble something like this.

Send email to federalistparty@verizon.net if you would be interested in helping out.

RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
#110

On October 28th, 2008 at 10:55 am, Weary Citizen said:

On October 28th, 2008 at 8:48 am, rightwingrocker said:

Thank you rwr. This is exactly the way to bring about a viable 3rd party. All the naysayers keep harping about fixing the repub party, but I just can’t see that happening. Leave them to the central and left of center voters. Then work on splitting the Dems into a new party for the Blue DOg dems and leave the dem party to the left wing nutjobs. Then everyone would be better represented and increases the liklihood of reforms to the 2 party dominated gov’t of today.
#111

On October 28th, 2008 at 12:42 pm, fulldroolcup said:

Time to find that bogus dollar bill with Bush’s pic on it to send to the RNC and RNCC.

RINOS seeking $$$ from conservatives — what a marketing concept!!!

NOT!!!
#112

On October 28th, 2008 at 2:11 pm, MtsEdge said:

You’re kidding yourself if you think Palin isn’t McCain lite. She’s no conservative. Have you not been listening to her?

Yes, I have. I just went to a Palin rally yesterday, in fact.

Now please give some examples of why you say Palin is no conservative. I’m waiting.