Ensign: GOP Senators Need To Pony Up For '08 Races

Sen. John Ensign knew this was going to be a tough year to run the GOP Senate campaign committee, with nearly twice as many Republicans up for re-election as Democrats.

So he's putting pressure on his Senate colleagues to raise money to protect the most vulnerable Senate Republican seats. So far, only nine of the 49 Republican senators have transferred money from their individual campaign accounts to the national committee, according to statistics provided by Ensign's office. Ensign (R-Nev.) says that's just not going to cut it in a year where a half dozen Republicans are vulnerable and Democrats are far out pacing Republicans in fund raising.

"We need a lot more help from my colleagues," Ensign told Politico during a brief visit to the National Republican Senatorial Committee offices. "They need to making more phone calls. They need to be making more of an effort. It's a constant battle that we have ... to get them to help."

According to NRSC statistics, Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) have transferred the most money from their campaign war chest to the national committee. Both have donated $100,000 to the NRSC. On his way out the Senate doors, former Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.), donated $200,000. Ensign has also transferred $200,000.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has given $50,000 from his personal accounts, and no other GOP senator has topped $30,000.

"We have a few superstars, but too few of them," Ensign said.
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