WASHINGTON — House rank-and-file Republicans are tens of millions of dollars short of meeting fundraising targets set by their own campaign committee in advance of this fall's elections, according to figures circulating among the leadership, heightening concerns inside the party about major losses in November.
Most recent figures show that GOP lawmakers have brought $27 million into the coffers of the National Republican Congressional Committee in the past 17 months, far short of the goal of about $58 million. Compounding the challenge, they will soon be asked to raise another $20 million or more to help candidates in selected battleground districts.
Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, chairman of the NRCC, provided the information recently to the leadership and to members of a newly formed committee charged with re- invigorating the campaign effort in the wake of the loss of three seats to Democrats in special elections. The Associated Press obtained a copy of some of the documents involved in the presentations.
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The disclosure comes in addition to other unsettling news for Republicans, who trail Democrats badly in cash on hand and are grappling with the alleged theft of more than $700,000 by a former employee.
The NRCC would not comment. Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, the party's leader in the House, is encouraging his colleagues to do more to help, a spokesman said.
"Mr. Boehner's focus right now is doing everything possible to help House Republicans be successful this fall, and that includes pushing all our members to do more to help our team," said his spokesman, Kevin Smith.
Republicans controlled the House for 12 years until they lost the majority in 2006. In the months since, their political position has eroded significantly, judging from polls, campaign fundraising and other factors. The result has been a private acknowledgment among lawmakers and aides that the GOP is highly unlikely to regain the majority this year and will be fortunate to hold its losses to a minimum.
