Illinois Circular Firing Squad Team–Daniels and cash
Rich Miller has the scoop on Lee Daniels’ money problems for the HRCC. The implications are very serious for the Illinois Circular Firing Squad Team. That money is used for a wide variety of functions including GOTV and GOTV is going to be the key to keeping Topinka and Birkett with a chance.
One should remember the Devine campaign a few years ago. He was well behind the incumbent and ended up winning through efforts of the coordinated campaign. On a statewide basis, a repeat for Dart is entirely possible and it would make the difference for Lisa Madigan.
I think at this point the polls for the Illinois race are going to have to be reexamined. This kind of debacle often leads to very low turnout for the Party facing multiple problems. Roesser made the point in his last column as well.
MONEY TROUBLES (excerpt) The House Republican Campaign Committee is meeting Thursday to talk about the budget for this fall’s electoral contests. This will not be a pleasant meeting.
Contributions have slowed to a trickle since the feds started poking around House GOP Leader Lee Daniels’ operation. And for the past few months, some of Daniels’ own members, even a few in hot races, are eschewing all funds from the HRCC and raising their own cash, which is diverting money that would have gone to Daniels’ fund. Some of Daniels’ members are also upset with him for refusing to supplement the HRCC account with money from his Friends of Lee Daniels fund, and that is leading to plenty of back-room sniping.
Rumors started flying this week when Daniels and the HRCC canceled a fundraiser scheduled for next month in Chicago. Insiders insist the fundraising event was never a major priority, but other Republicans believe Daniels couldn’t sell enough tickets to make it worthwhile. As Capitol Fax told you several days ago, Daniels has angrily lashed out at some lobbyists who have refused to contribute money. But since everyone figures he’s a goner after this term, he can’t strike much fear into anyone’s heart these days.
Word is the HRCC fall budget could be slashed in a major way, which would mean Daniels could have to bail out of some races that he might have a legit shot at if he had the dough.