To Arizona Republican Leaders ...........
I participated in a teleconference with Chairman Steele friday afternoon ( 3/6/09 ). As your National Committeeman part of my responsibilities are to get information to all of our leadership asap :
1. The first thing the Chairman did was "own up" to the mistake he made on the Rush Limbaugh comments and "took responsibility" for the incident. He asked the "forgiveness" of the members and asked us to communicate his comments to state leaders. He said that Rush Limbaugh knew when they spoke later that Steele had been taken out of context and that their relationship was "stronger than ever." He said "this will never happen again." We all hope not but I think we all know in politics that stuff happens. My view is if your not making mistakes your not trying. He will probably make mistakes in the future. Hopefully this will provide a good lesson.
2. Some of you know this but I wanted to make sure you understand that the first act of Chairman Steele was to fire everyone at the RNC. All of the staff and the consultants. I also want you to know Arizona Chairman Randy Pullen , Committeewoman Sharon Giese and myself are working hard to gain a new regional political director who may be based in Arizona.This cannot help but be beneficial for Arizona. More details to follow.
More than 1400 resumes are being processed at this time to re staff the RNC. Many of those who are working in the building today are either RNC members or NON WASHINGTON people according to Steele.
3. The Chairman announced the RNC will hold their first regional meetings with members this May to air out a new RNC Victory Plan and hear from each of the state leaders on their planning as well as needs going into 2009. We will meet again later in May in Maryland with all members from around the country. We will review the 100 Day Plan which has been compiled by a special task force . All of this is new structure.
4. The Chairman has drastically adjusted the RNC budget to slash expenses while we are re organizing the party. Fundraising has been strong since 1/09. As of 2/28/09 the RNC bank balance was $23,000,000. Last week the RNC sent $2,000,000 a piece to the RNCC and the NRSC respectively to help with expenses. Both of those entities find themselves in debt at this time.
5. The RNC is focusing on 3 races this year. The CD-20 ( NY ) race. We have spent $200,000 so far in support of Jim Tedisco who 3 weeks out does have a 10%+ lead in the polls. I hope if you are contacted you will support him. We are also competitive in the NJ & VA Governor's races. Lots of efforts being spent by the candidates. There is a long time before either of those elections next fall so stay tuned.
6.Technology--The RNC just held a new technology event and attracted 7000 participants both at the RNC and on line. Many new concepts being developed in social networking and integrating county,state and national parties. Saul Anuzis chaired the event and task force.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions, comments ( and complaints ). We clearly do have new leadership at the RNC. It is far from perfect but we are making progress.
This party belongs to all of us. Our detractors refer to us as the Grand OBSOLETE Party. I suggest that all of us working together can make this the Greater OPPORTUNITY Party.
Bruce Ash
National Committeeman
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