No Runny Eggs

Many conservatives (including me) are encouraged by what appears to be the public’s rejection of the leftism that is being foisted upon us by a left wing president and far left leadership in the House and Senate.  Democrats should be in trouble in November.  And it is easy to infer from this that Republicans are in good shape.  Not necessarily.

The Hill reports that the Republican National Committee (RNC) has little cash on hand, and is very concerned about finances as we head into the 2010 election cycle.  The article raises a number of factors that contribute, most of which make sense and seem legitimate.  But one would think money would be flowing into GOP coffers like never before, given the prospect of a very successful mid-term election.

I think this is, in part, the result of the discontent among the GOP base.  Never before have I lived through a time when grass roots Republicans have had less faith in Republican leadership. The sentiment seems to be that in November we will exchange a bunch of irresponsible, excessive spending, corrupt Democrats for a bunch of irresponsible, excessive spending, corrupt Republicans.  That doesn’t exactly make one excited to start writing big checks to the RNC.

My theory is supported by the fact that while the RNC is struggling, there still seems to be money out there for individual Republican candidates.  In other words, grass roots Republicans will give money to people who will likely uphold the Party values and beliefs. The challenge for the GOP going forward is to get conservatives back on board.  That will not be easy, given the history of ideological betrayal.

And what happens if the GOP doesn’t take this concern seriously?  Well, all you need to know is that in a recent poll, Americans were more likely to be favorably predisposed to people holding “Tea Party” values than Democratic or Republican values.  Maybe that is why RNC Chairman Michael Steele recently came out and stated that Republicans have failed by wavering from core conservative principles.  We’ve heard that all before Mr. Steele.  Sounds good in an election year.  But you better find a few Republican elected officials who walk the talk.