RNC Fallout: 'Ashamed' donor closes checkbook

A prominent Evangelical figure and Republican donor says he will end his contributions to the organized Republican Party in reaction to the leaked fundraising presentation that advised using "fear" to solicit contributions and displayed an image of President Obama as the Joker from Batman.

Mark DeMoss, who heads a major Christian public relations firm in Atlanta and served as a liaison to the Evangelical community for Mitt Romney in 2008, wrote Chairman Michael Steele yesterday that he was "ashamed" of the presentation, calling depictions of Obama, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Majority Leader Harry Reid "shameful, immature and uncivil, at best."

"I’m afraid the presentation is representative of a culture and mindset within the Republican National Committee," DeMoss, a past member of the RNC's "Eagle" program for top donors who gave the party $15,000 in 2008, wrote in the letter to Steele, which he shared with POLITICO. (DeMoss hasn't given this cycle.) "Consequently, I will no longer contribute to any fundraising entity of our Party—but will contribute only to individual candidates I choose to support."

The letter was copied to House and Senate Republican leaders, whose campaign committees DeMoss said he'd also stop supporting.

DeMoss, whose causes include a project devoted to civility and who is the scion of a major Evangelical family, concluded:

"Mr. Chairman, I love giving money to candidates at every level who I believe in and want to see elected. But it is becoming increasingly difficult to consider making a contribution to the Party itself. The sort of behavior displayed in Boca Grande only contributes to the widespread cynicism of politics in general and our Party in particular. It is, in my opinion, indefensible and destructive."

His full letter is after the jump.

March 5, 2010



Chairman Michael Steele

Republican National Committee

310 First Street SE

Washington, DC 20003

Dear Mr. Chairman:

Like many Republicans today, I am ashamed of the fundraising presentation given by RNC Finance Director Rob Bickhart at last month’s GOP gathering in Boca Grande, Florida. The depictions of President Obama, Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Harry Reid were shameful, immature and uncivil, at best. While I realize your office made steps to distance you from this presentation I’m afraid the presentation is representative of a culture and mindset within the Republican National Committee; consequently, I will no longer contribute to any fundraising entity of our Party—but will contribute only to individual candidates I choose to support.

I have been a member of the Republican Eagles on a number of occasions in the past, including the 2008 cycle. I have been constantly solicited by the RNC, the NRSC and the NRCC, among other GOP organizations and efforts. Recently I was visited in my office by Lynn Westmoreland, who shared with me the redistricting efforts he is leading in the House. He was requesting funds for this initiative (without the sort of nonsense presented recently by your Finance Director) and I was considering contributing to the project. I will not consider doing so now, with apologies to Congressman Westmoreland

Mr. Chairman, I love giving money to candidates at every level who I believe in and want to see elected. But it is becoming increasingly difficult to consider making a contribution to the Party itself. The sort of behavior displayed in Boca Grande only contributes to the widespread cynicism of politics in general and our Party in particular. It is, in my opinion, indefensible and destructive.

Sincerely,

Mark DeMoss

President, The DeMoss Group

Founder, CivilityProject.org



cc: Peter Terpeluk, RNC Finance Chairman

Rob Bickhart, RNC Finance Director

Sen. John Cornyn, NRSC

Sen. Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader

Rep. Pete Sessions, NRCC

Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, NRCC

Rep. John Boehner, House Minority Leader

Rep. Eric Cantor, House Minority Whip