RNC Foresees Big Cuts For Voter Drives

With the party banking on major gains in midterm elections, the Republican National Committee is suddenly being hit with a severe cut in money originally budgeted to help state parties identify and get voters to the polls on Nov. 2, The Washington Times has learned.

The cuts, which RNC officials say still must be approved by the budget committee, would slice by a third the amount of money originally budgeted for targeted political operations, including funds to help state parties hire staff and beef up get-out-the-vote operations.

The $12.2 million downward revision means that state GOP operations will have to trim their Election Day "victory" programs, according to a new budget blueprint prepared for RNC Chairman Michael S. Steele and sent to members of the budget committee for approval.

Mr. Steele also faces fresh controversy within the party over his comments last week questioning the war in Afghanistan and dismissing it as a "war of [President] Obama's choosing." Mr. Steele has tried to soften his remarks, but GOP neoconservatives are saying he should resign.

Republicans are hoping for major gains in November in House, Senate and gubernatorial races.

Other conservative organs, including the Republican Governors Association and the Karl Rove-backed independent American Crossroads group, have reported impressive fundraising numbers in recent days. Mr. Rove was a senior adviser to President George W. Bush.

"We have a great opportunity to take the House and Senate, but now with this kind of financial kick in the pants we may not have the resources to pull it off," a senior member of the Republican Party's national governing body told The Washington Times, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

(There's more details here)