RNC Resolution Would Boot Key Candidates

CORRECTED: RNC member Jim Bopp emails to tell us that the resolution is not intended to take previous votes into account, presumably giving everyone a clean slate. We've re-written the post to reflect that.

A resolution that may come before RNC members in Jan. could have the effect of eliminating several prominent GOP recruits from receiving party money.

The resolution, offered by IN national committeeman Jim Bopp and nine fellow RNC members, would forbid the national party from spending money on candidates who do not meet at least 8 of 10 criteria set down as party principles.

Those principles include opposing abortion rights, opposing same-sex marriage, opposing the stimulus package and cap and trade bills and supporting surges in Iraq and Afghanistan and gun rights, among others.

But, some GOP strategists pointed out, several of the party's most promising candidates would not qualify for party money if the resolution is adopted.

Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) has been elected statewide 12 times, including a term as LG, 2 terms as GOV and 9 terms in the House. He is running to fill the remainder of VP Joe Biden's term, and he gives GOPers the best -- and perhaps only -- shot at winning the seat.

But Castle voted in favor of cap and trade legislation, has a largely pro-choice voting record and received an "F" rating from the National Rifle Association. That, under Bopp's resolution, would be enough to disqualify Castle from receiving national party support.

"Setting aside that a litmus test resolution would hurt the party's image with independent voters, it could have real-world implications for the Senate race in Delaware next year," said one GOP strategist. "The idea that the RNC would not spend any resources on behalf of Rep. Castle when Republicans have a tremendous opportunity to win the sitting Vice President's Senate seat is absolute insanity."

Bopp said the resolution, if it passes, will take into account Castle's vote on cap and trade, but that the resolution is worded in such a way as to take into account only legislation that has come up recently. The RNC would take future action into account more than past action, he suggested.

"Since many of these items involve specific proposals that will be voted on in Congress in the next year, we want members of Congress to understand that their votes will make a difference in whether they are funded by the RNC," Bopp said in an email. "We hope that this may influence some to vote the Republican position, since substantial RNC funding may be at stake."

But other GOPers who have come under scrutiny for earlier votes have been challenged from the right as well. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL), who would give GOPers a strong chance to contend for Pres. Obama's former SEN seat, also voted for cap and trade. He is lucky Bopp's resolution would not take into account that he led a group of 11 GOP congressmen who opposed the surge in Iraq, has an "F" rating from the NRA and at one time had a 100% pro-choice rating from NARAL.

Kirk has tacked to the right lately, going back on his cap and trade vote, voting in favor of the pro-life Stupak Amendment two weeks ago and vociferously supporting a troop surge in Afghanistan. But the resolution promises to judge politicians by their "voting record, public statements and/or signed questionnaire[s]," which, were it interpreted to include past votes, might put Kirk in jeopardy.

Both FL Gov. Charlie Crist (R) and ex-FL House Speaker Marco Rubio (R) will argue their opponent is out of step on at least two issues. Crist signed a state version of cap and trade and very publicly backed the stimulus bill earlier this year. But Rubio, Crist will argue, did little to advance conservative causes on immigration -- another key point of the platform -- and voted in favor of that cap and trade bill.

The measure would make decisions about funding the discretion of RNC chair Michael Steele, giving him the option to distance the party from those who don't fit conservative norms. Steele came under fire for backing Assemb. Dede Scozzafava (R) in NY-23 earlier this Fall, though he had no practical choice in the matter.

"Under the resolution the chairman makes the determination. I think we can trust Chairman Steele to do so in good faith," said Bopp, who has not always seen eye to eye with Steele.

Bopp may get a vote on the floor of the RNC meeting this Jan. in Hawaii, or RNC chair Michael Steele may succeed in once again blocking a measure that could prove embarrassing. But candidates, and the party's professional class, uniformally call the resolution a bad idea.

(REID WILSON)