In The Weeds
Barack Obama, who abandoned a promise to accept public financing, raised $750M over the course of the 2008 campaign. Coupled with the Democratic National Committee's fundraising, the Democrat raised $1B.
The scope of Obama's fundraising prowess must be of great consideration to members of the Republican National Committee as they weigh who will lead the party into the next election cycle. The RNC meets next month in Washington to vote for a new chairman. Several people have expressed interest: MI GOP chairman Saul Anuzis, SC GOP chairman Katon Dawson, former MD lt. gov. and FOX News contributor Michael Steele, Newt Gingrigh, former Mike Huckabee campaign mgr. Chip Saltsman and current RNC chairman Mike Duncan.
Surely, the committee's 168 members will assess which of these men can best build an email list and online operation to rival Obama's. Grassroots organizing experience must be paramount for the next chairman. Today's Democratic money news confirms that for the RNC, a chief cheerleader or figurehead type is not the order of the day.
Here are some of the more practical rules governing the group's selection process:
-- To win the chairmanship, a member must secure a majority of the 168 members -- or 85 votes.
-- Voting can be conducted by a variety of methods, including secret ballot, if approved by the RNC by a majority vote.
-- And to be placed into nomination, a candidate must receive the support of a majority of RNC members from at least three states, meaning at least two RNC members from three states.
To date, party members have been stunningly mum about their preferences. But note that while the field is crowded, the rules don't require much to get in the mix. Are their other GOPers who might match the party's organizational needs?
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
You missed the most exciting (and promising) candidate or the Chair: Ken Blackwell. Blackwell is a true blood Republican who can pump new life into the sagging body of the RNC. After Duncan's lousy performance in November, the RNC needs a fundraiser who can match the Obama money machine. Blackwell is someone who understands the shift in fundraising to electronic medium and the power the internet holds for fundraising and connecting with voters.
Blackwell is also a fiscal conservative who understands money is a precious resources that should be wisely used. His fiscal beliefs earned him the respect and endorsement of Steve Forbes. Blackwell is also a staunch supporter of family and faith initiatives.
Blackwell is the only person in the race who can rightly challenge Obama in 2010 and 2012 and Blackwell is precisely the person who should head the RNC right now.