Sad.
But comparing the RNC's 2010 finances with any year since 2002, the problems become clear. In May, CNN noted that the RNC's $12.5 million was less than a third of the amount it had on hand at the same time of either the 2002 ($47 million) or the 2006 ($44.6 million) midterm election cycle. The circumstances have all but ruled out the RNC's chances of substantially helping out the National Republican Congressional Committee, which is itself getting outfundraised by its Democratic counterpart by a ratio of nearly 2 to 1.
In addition to simply having less cash, concerns have also been raised about the RNC's ability to perform its traditional coordinating role: creating "victory centers" to support field operations and to synchronize voter identification and outreach programs for House, Senate and gubernatorial races in each state. "It's always helpful [for the RNC to coordinate]. You don't duplicate an organizational effort, or a fundraising effort, if you're on the same page," observes Republican political consultant Stuart Spencer.
"There are things the national committee does: managing voter lists and managing turnout programs, for instance," says David Norcross, a member of the Executive Committee of the Republican National Committee. He does not think the committee is so strapped for cash that it will neglect these functions. But he allows that the RNC's lack of funds might hurt its ability to provide ample support to state and local party organizations across the country. "Am I disappointed? Yes. Up in arms? No," he says.
