Did the consultants
who helped elect RNC chairman Michael Steele get RNC contracts? Well, some did, some didn't. This is how the
world works. Undoubtedly other consultants who helped other candidates
would have gotten some too. But the issue of contracts irritates many RNC members. And the controversial resolution -- it would significantly increase financial oversight -- being offered by RNC treasurer Randy Pullen at the next party meeting is relevant in part because Pullen and some fellow RNC members believe that Steele is rewarding his friends and punishing his enemies.
From the story by Z. Hallow:
Mr. Pullen gave Mr. Steele the proposed resolution in a private meeting last
week. The sponsors argued that it would help Mr. Pullen and other RNC officers
identify and head off questionable financial actions and, thus, insulate party
officials from any possible federal prosecution for financial misdeeds done
under the aegis of the RNC.
The Pullen resolution would make it a written rule that contracts of $100,000 or more be open to competitive bidding; that all checks be signed by two RNC officers; that party staff be prohibited from signing on behalf of an officer; and that all contracts be reviewed and approved by the members of the RNC executive committee.
Yesterday, Steele's allies on the committee blasted Pullen for wanting to "neuter" the chair. Pullen responded today that like every other company, the chief financial officer ought to be accountable to the executive committee -- and to the board -- with the RNC members herein comprising the board.After the March FEC numbers were posted, a conservative activist claiming to be working on a story for a conservative magazine looked at these numbers and started making phone calls to RNC members. The story never went anywhere, but RNC members started talking about it. Really talking about it.
Shira Toeptliz at Roll Call (a former colleague) listed a number of these in her story after the race:
According to several Republican operatives familiar with Steele's cadre, the following GOP consultants worked for the former Maryland lieutenant governor on his bid:
• Curt Anderson, Wes Anderson and Brad Todd are partners at OnMessage Inc., an advertising firm that produced media for Steele's failed 2006 Senate bid.
• Blaise Hazelwood served as RNC political director in the 2002 and 2004 cycles and as campaign and media director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee in the 2006 cycle. She formerly was a partner at Anderson's consulting firm.
• Anthony Marsh focused on strategy and communications. Marsh is chairman of the firm Marsh Copsey and Associates, where fellow Steele consultant Lance Copsey is the director of international affairs.
• Kevin Igoe is a former executive director of the Maryland Republican Party but now runs Igoe Associates consulting shop.
Here's the relevant FEC data. The consultants got some money. Not a lot... and since Steele is just getting started, it makes sense that he bring his campaign team in to rev up the RNC engines. But RNC members who dislike Steele will be watching to see whether these numbers rise in future FEC filings...
Blaise Hazelwood, President of Grassroots Targeting.
|
GRASSROOTS TARGETING |
20090305 |
15000 |
STAFF CONSULTING |
|
GRASSROOTS TARGETING |
20090319 |
15000 |
STAFF CONSULTING |
Curt Anderson, bro Wes and Brad Todd of On Message.
|
ON MESSAGE, INC. |
20090326 |
29000 |
|
SURVEY COST |
|
ON MESSAGE, INC. |
20090305 |
12000 |
|
SPEECH WRITING |
Tony Marsh is here:
|
MARSH COPSEY & ASSOCIATES,INC. |
20090305 |
7000 |
STAFF CONSULTING |
|
MARSH COPSEY & ASSOCIATES,INC. |
20090326 |
7000 |
STAFF CONSULTING |
Kevin Igoe:
|
IGOE/ASSOCIATES |
20090305 |
5000 |
STAFF CONSULTING |
|
IGOE/ASSOCIATES |
20090326 |
5000 |
STAFF CONSULTING |
It will be interesting to see Where Steele spends the donations of Republican contributors. His performance at GOPAC was a mix of lax business management and lame political acumen. $125,000 was spent on overhead (one vendor, Infocesion, was paid $49,756) while monies for candidates totaled just $50,000. He authorized sending $2M to John McCain (as if that would make a difference in a zillion dollar presidential contest). GOPAC funds were invested in sure bet campaigns such as incumbents as Lynn Westmoreland of Georgia ($5,000) who scored 65% of the vote. Equally sure losing candidates received GOPAC investments too like Steve Greenberg, IL 8: $5000 for an anemic 40% showing. Meanwhile, every political animal knew (except Michael Steele) that CA's Tom McClintock was desperate for donations and would win in a photo finish. Virginia Congressman Virgil Goode lost by 745 votes but GOPAC was broke by the end of the election cycle when Goode's numbers started to slide.