You want to know how grim things are for the National Republican Congressional Committee? Consider this excerpt from a Patrick Murphy fundraising letter I received in the mail today (emphasis in original).
Last year the NRCC spent $3.6 Million in an attempt to deceive the folks in our district. In 2006 we were able to beat them back for two reasons: we have the facts on our side and your critical support helped us tell the truth and share Patrick’s story throughout our campaign and in our television ads. In 2008 we’ll have the facts on our side, but once again we need to defend against the NRCC.
We have just learned that the NRCC has $1.6 million in the bank. We know they won’t hesitate to use these funds to drag Patrick’s name through the mud. Patrick’s decorated service in Iraq won’t stop them. His untiring opposition to the failed policies of this administration won’t stop them. And his role as a leader in the fight to end the war in Iraq won’t stop them. Those things will only encourage the NRCC to fight harder and dirtier.
The only way to stop the NRCC is to take a stand now. Right now our campaign has less than $1.1 million on hand. That puts us more than $500,000 behind the NRCC. We need your support now to close the gap before the holidays.
It’s hilarious. Murphy is asking for $500,000 so that he can match the amount of money that the entire NRCC has on hand. The NRCC has the responsibility for all 435 congressional races. Realistically, they should be funding 40-60 races. In 2006, they poured $3.6 million into the race in Murphy’s district…now they only have $1.1. million on hand for all districts.
And Kudos to the Murphy team for their chutzpah. Yeah, help him match the RNCC.
