Stingy Senators Stiff GOP

by Alexander Bolton, The Hill: Republican senators with millions of dollars in their campaign accounts have given little or nothing to the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), despite its desperate pleas for cash funds. Fewer than 10 Senate Republicans met goals . . . GOP senators were asked to contribute $100,000 from their campaign accounts or recruit four major donors for the event. . . . Republican Sens. Arlen Specter (PA), Jim Bunning (KY), Richard Lugar (IN), Pete Domenici (NM), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Olympia Snowe (ME), Tom Coburn (OK), and Larry Craig (ID) have given nothing to the NRSC . . . These lawmakers have kept their wallets shut despite having millions and not facing reelection this year. Specter, for example, reported $4.2 million in his war chest. Lugar has $2.2 million in his account. Domenici has $840,000 and has announced his retirement. . . . Sen. Richard Shelby (AL), who occupies a lucrative fundraising position as ranking Republican on the Banking Committee, has nearly $13 million in his reelection fund. Yet he has given only $15,000 from his leadership PAC to the NRSC. Some lawmakers say there is plenty of time to give money to the committee before Senate races reach full intensity . . . [Read More]