Whoever wins the RNC chairmanship tomorrow will inherit a committee deeply in debt. According to Reid Wilson of The Hotline, the party faces more than $21.8 million in outstanding debt as of the end of 2010.
But in an ironic twist, the RNC basically raised its own debt ceiling. The committee was scheduled to make a $5 million payment on its debt by the end of February, but has been granted a significant reprieve.
At its winter meeting in National Harbor, Maryland, a hurried RNC Treasurer Randy Pullen confirmed to me the party had “negotiated an extension from the bank for one year,” on its debt.
Fundraising will still be a big concern for the 168 committee members selecting a new chair. But paying off near-term debts won’t be a huge concern.
“Whoever’s going to be the next chair will raise the money,” said RNC committeewoman Ada Fisher, of North Carolina. Fisher’s backing Maria Cino, who — along with several other candidates — currently trails frontrunner, Wisconsin Republican Party chair Reince Priebus. Cino, however, has earned the endorsement of House Speaker John Boehner.
Fisher says Cino would be the best fundraiser — but she’s talking about the 2012 election, not the RNC’s current shortfall. She thinks Cino can raise $500 million. “Money determines if you win campaigns,” Fisher told me, “whether you like it or not.”
Brian Beutler
Brian Beutler is TPM's senior congressional reporter. Since 2009, he's led coverage of health care reform, Wall Street reform, taxes, the GOP budget, the government shutdown fight, and the debt limit fight. He can be reached at brian@talkingpointsmemo.com.
Facebook Conversations
Questions about commenting with non-Facebook accounts like Yahoo, or other concerns? Click here to read the TPM Commenting FAQ.