http://dailycaller.com/2010/03/29/hi...ith-gop-funds/
High flyer: RNC Chairman Steele suggested buying private jet with GOP funds
Posted By Jonathan Strong On Monday, March 29th, 2010 @ 3:40 AM In DC Exclusives, Editors Picks, Homepage:Feature, Politics | 67 Comments
According to two knowledgeable sources, Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele once raised the possibility of using party money to buy a private jet for his travel.
“I know that … regular ongoing use of planes was something that was looked at,” says one person with direct knowledge. “I can’t speak to how serious those inquiries were.” Both sources say Steele considered purchasing a plane outright, or buying fractional ownership in one, through a company such as NetJets.
Steele’s spokesman, Doug Heye, did not deny that such discussions took place, responding that the RNC never had a “plan” to buy a plane. “I don’t know what somebody might have discussed or might not have discussed.”
While Steele has not purchased a plane, he continues to charter them. According to federal disclosure records, the RNC spent $17,514 on private aircraft in the month of February alone (as well as $12,691 on limousines during the same period). There are no readily identifiable private plane expenses for Democratic National Committee chairman Tim Kaine in the DNC’s last three months of filings.
The RNC explains that Steele charters jets only when commercial service is unavailable, or when his tight schedule requires it. “Anytime the chairman has taken any private travel has been a either to a route that doesn’t exist or because of connections and multiple travel to where he just wasn’t able to do so,” Heye said. Yet Steele’s office repeatedly refused to explain in specific terms the cir stances of the February charter flights.
Once on the ground, FEC filings suggest, Steele travels in style. A February RNC trip to California, for example, included a $9,099 stop at the Beverly Hills Hotel, $6,596 dropped at the nearby Four Seasons, and $1,620.71 spent [update: the amount is actually $1,946.25] at Voyeur West Hollywood, a bondage-themed nightclub featuring topless women dancers imitating lesbian sex.
RNC trips to other cities produced bills from a long list of chic and costly hotels such as the Venetian and the M Resort in Las Vegas, and the W (for a total of $19,443) in Washington. A midwinter trip to Hawaii cost the RNC $43,828, not including airfare.
Steele himself declined numerous interview requests, though his defenders point out that luxurious accommodations are sometimes necessary to attract big-time donors, especially since Republicans remain in the minority in Washington.
Still, the nature and size of Steele’s expenses are likely to reignite persistent complaints from high-end donors and key party figures that the RNC is bleeding cash in the months before a pivotal midterm election. Several months into Steele’s term as chairman, his spending spurred Republican committeemen to pass a resolution requiring checks to be signed by at least two RNC officers, and contracts over $100,000 to go out to compe ive bidding.
Complaints, almost always expressed off the record, have been bitter. “This is not somebody who is out recruiting candidates,” said an aide who worked closely with Steele. “He is not meeting with donors. He’s not asking for money. The guy is writing his book or doing his speaking gigs, or whatever the else he fills his days with. Those are his priorities.”
A March 20 FEC filing shows the RNC has $9.5 million cash on hand. Steele began his tenure with $22.8 million, and has since raised $96.2 million. During the same period, however, the RNC has spent $109.6 million, for a deficit of $13.4 million. That spending included aid to the campaigns that elected Gov. Bob McDonnell in Virginia and Gov. Chris Christie in New Jersey.
“The story is less what’s left, and more what’s been spent,” said one longtime Republican operative. “It’s difficult to draw distinctions between various elections because the cir stances are so different. But what is worthy of scrutiny is the March cash on hand versus where it was January or February last year, which is essentially the same picture. And that comes despite having raised more than $90 million dollars.”
According to spokesman Heye, the RNC is right on track with fundraising. “We’re very comfortable with where we are financially and we know that we’ll have the resources on the ground to be compe ive in November as we move forward to try and take back the House and Senate.” He noted the RNC had outraised the DNC in seven out of 12 months in 2009 and was raising gobs of money in the wake of President Obama signing health care reform legislation into law.
While I wouldn't doubt if this story is true, it's sad to see what journalism has become nowadays.
According to two knowledgeable sources,says one person with direct knowledgesaid an aide who worked closely with SteeleNot one person critical of spending is named in the report.said one longtime Republican operative
sounds like Fox News huh?
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that when the DNC chair travels he's not exactly shacking up at the Motel 6.
Relevancy factor: .000001285
Exactly. Unless you're a donor, who cares?
The Myopians care.
If Michael Steele were white, would he be criticized in this way?
I smell racism.
The GOP picked Steele so conservatives could say this over and over again, to Dems.
Why criticize PC when you can join in the fun?
I was being sarcastic. And I disagree with your first statement.
You really think that Steele's selection didn't have anything to do with trying to break the GOP's angry white guy stereotype? Really?
You disagree Steele was cynically chosen as a racial token?.
Lemme guess, he was the best candidate available, and no one's better at GOP fundraising or national strategy. Right.
Sounds like you are the cynic.
Sounds like you can't face reality.
Micheal Steele was a terrible pick for the GOP. There was no compelling reason to pick him other than his race, and he's done a terrible job so far.
I wonder why he hasn't been fired.
Thank-you for being critical of the things I often have been. Now the story could all well be true, but too many people automatically assume it is just because it was in the news.
Come on Darrin.
You now it's just enough that's he's republican.
Funny how they say such information wasn't available for the DNC. With such reliable unnamed sources, I'm sure they could find some unnamed DNC sources if they wanted to.
I left out: unpopular with Republicans.
Really?
it's just fair. The repubs have the right to own a Tiger Woods guy too
i wonder if he ever made it rain?
Silly rabbit. He's got an R at the end of his name. Pffffft
Last edited by Winehole23; 03-29-2010 at 01:38 PM.
Really. Steele is ing lame.
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