Psst. Hey you, Republicans. Nice campaign you’ve got there. Be a shame if something happened to it.
That’s pretty much the message South Carolina GOP elected officials and candidates got from the Republican National Committee … er, the Trump campaign … last week.
See, they were all asked to donate at least 5 percent of their campaign contributions to the presidential nominee’s own war chest or the RNC (same difference) if they use or even mention Donald Trump’s name or likeness in any advertising.
Which, of course, they’re all doing.
It was a tribute, just like they did in the old country, but they were doing it here, in America — Henry Hill, “Goodfellas”
Now, don’t be a wiseguy, or further any ugly New York stereotypes, by calling this a shakedown. Judge for yourself:
“Beginning tomorrow, we ask that all candidates and committees who choose to use President Trump’s name, image, and likeness split a minimum of 5% of all fundraising solicitations to Trump National Committee JFC,” the presumptive nominee’s campaign managers wrote in a letter to Republican candidates.
The Trump campaign told Politico the purpose was not to raise money for themselves — aka “wet their beaks” — but to keep “scammers” from using Trump’s brand and hurt his ability to raise cash.
You know, from selling Bibles, golden sneakers (or calves). Whatever.
This letter went out, coincidentally, while the former guy was sitting in a courtroom during jury selection for his hush-money trial.
Now, as you might imagine, no Republican trying to win elective office in this cycle is going to publicly complain about what charitably could be called a “licensing fee” … or cynically, extortion.
Some of them are grumbling about it privately, however. But they know better than to air any dirty laundry, because Trump has what you might call leverage. The last thing they want is for him to a) pull an endorsement or b) endorse their opponent.
That might not work out well for them in the primaries.
You might say this is just bidness. In fact, the letter said failure to comply would “result in the suspension of business relationships.” Whatever that means.
If we wanted something, we just took it. If anyone complained twice they got hit so bad, believe me, they never complained again — Henry Hill, “Goodfellas”
Candidates are even encouraged to send even more than the minimum … with the promise that the Big Guy will hear about it.
“Any split that is higher than 5% will be seen favorably by the RNC and President Trump’s campaign and is routinely reported to the highest levels of leadership within both organizations,” the letter said.
Some South Carolina Republicans say they understand — they’re trading on his name, and times are tough. Certainly, the landscape of campaign financing is rather bleak for the GOP these days: Donations are down, the usual suspects are tapped out and the Democrats are eating their lunch. President Joe Biden has raised nearly $200 million, more than double what the Trump camp has raked in.
Some Republican candidates concede it will hurt their campaigns to give up thousands of dollars that could go into media buys. But in the end, one said, “I’m going to do it.”
Because, well, it’s an offer they can’t refuse.
You know, some people forecasted problems when Trump took over the Republican National Committee in March. The campaign came in and politely dismissed RNC workers and party loyalists — such as South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Drew McKissick — in favor of Trump relatives, campaign workers and sycophants.
In fact, some political analysts predicted much of the RNC’s money would be diverted to the presidential campaign (or Trump’s legal fees) to the detriment of down-ballot races. Now it appears money not only won’t flow downhill, but any candidate running on the GOP ticket — at least in the primaries — will have to kick some of their hard-raised dollars upstairs.
This isn’t pocket change, either. In the 1st District alone, Congresswoman Nancy Mace and challenger Catherine Templeton — who either mention or allude to the former president in public appearances or ads — could be on the hook for $20,000 to $25,000 each … just for the first quarter.
Extrapolate that out to Republican races across the country and it’s clear this deal is potentially worth millions.
But these candidates should look on the bright side. By contributing to the cause, like good soldiers, they’ve become part of a team.
See, it's the highest honor they can give you. It means you belong to a family and crew. … It's like a license to steal. It's a license to do anything — Henry Hill, “Goodfellas"
But as for that cash? Fuhgeddaboudit.
Speaking of the 1st District…
Two very different weeks for the candidates in the 1st Congressional District Republican primary.
Incumbent Congresswoman Nancy Mace got an endorsement from Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, who called her “unafraid.”
As in, unafraid to run off the former speaker. Among other things.
Meanwhile, challenger Catherine Templeton had to deal with reports that her 18-year-old son has been arrested twice in violent incidents recently. In one, he assaulted a high school student at a Mount Pleasant house party where underage drinking was involved. The victim suffered seizures and had to be hospitalized.
In the other incident, from last fall, the younger Templeton allegedly pointed a weapon at a woman in a car, which the police are calling road rage.
Most of the time, candidates’ kids are off-limits in campaigns, and Mace’s camp has said nothing publicly about this. But Templeton’s camp had to respond because her son was actually on the campaign payroll.
After a good quarter of fundraising, it was the last thing Templeton needed.
The Senate strikes back
State senators are quickly learning that Treasurer Curtis Loftis don’t shame, even when he’s taking the blame.
And he may be harder to run off than former Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom.
The Senate issued a blistering, 116-page report last week blaming Loftis for the confusion surrounding $1.8 billion in cash sitting in a state account with no clue to its origin.
And for trying to hide its existence.
You may remember, when it turned out that the state’s finances were overstated by $3.5 billion last year, and lawmakers blamed Eckstrom, he resigned. Now, with another financial scandal at the Statehouse, the General Assembly is again looking hard at its constitutional officers.
But Loftis has made it clear he’ll not pull an Eckstrom here — which is probably why the Senate didn’t request he do it. Why give him the chance to defy them?
In a story from The Post and Courier’s Alexander Thompson, it appears Loftis tried to retaliate against critical senators by posting sensitive state financial information online. He had to be talked down by Gov. Henry McMaster.
The report says Loftis’ conduct is “baffling,” “reckless” and a reflection of “poor judgment,” Thompson reports. You think?
All this seems to make it much more likely that the Legislature — which will ask voters if the comptroller should become an appointed (as opposed to elected) position on November ballots — will add another referenda to this year’s election with the same question about the state treasurer.
Uh, huh huh, huh huh
Controversial Florida Congressman and flamethrower Matt Gaetz will be in South Carolina this week to campaign for House Freedom Caucus member Adam Morgan … and against colleague William Timmons.
Does no one remember Reagan's 11th Commandment anymore?
Morgan is running against the incumbent congressman in the Greenville-based 4th District Republican primary, and caught the eye of Gaetz a few weeks back with some video, where he says something flamethrower-like, from the well of the state House chamber.
Gaetz sent the video semi-viral.
The fundraiser will be 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Greenville Marriott. If you can’t make it, just catch a rerun of the April 13 Saturday Night Live — where some guys who share a striking resemblance to Gaetz showed up in a sketch on AI.
