GOP Spends Millions In Tough States

Besides giving millions to state parties in Ohio and Michigan, the Republican National Committee also made seven-figure transfers last month to California and Washington state, both of which voted Democratic in recent presidential elections and where close races for seats in Congress are being waged this year.

Republican officials said they're not willing to concede either state to Al Gore, least of all California, the nation's most populous state with one-fifth of the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House in November.

But the spending also came in a month that began with Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush ahead in the polls and GOP officials looking to force Gore to defend Democratic strongholds rather than allowing him to go on the offensive. Polls now show a close race between Bush and Gore.

“When George W. Bush had a big lead in national polls, they deployed a lot of money to states that were must-win states for Gore,” said Bob Benenson, managing editor for politics of Congressional Quarterly, an independent publication that tracks presidential and congressional races. “Now that the momentum has changed in the race, the question is going to be raised as to whether that was money well spent.”

Besides the presidential race, however, there are key congressional races in all the million-dollar states. Republicans hold slim majorities in both houses of Congress.

The RNC transferred $2.3 million to Pennsylvania, $2.2 million to Ohio and $1.7 million to Michigan last month, three key battlegrounds. Republican incumbents are fighting to keep their Senate seats in Pennsylvania and Michigan, while all three states have open House seats targeted by both parties.

But the RNC also gave $1.7 million apiece to the Washington and California GOP. Recent polls give Gore a double-digit lead in the Golden State, and a slight edge in Washington.

The RNC contributed at least $1 million to nine different state parties last month, Federal Election Commission records show.

California, though it went for Bill Clinton in both 1992 and 1996, supported Republican presidential candidates in the six elections before then.

“We're putting money into California because California's competitive,” RNC spokesman Bill Pascoe said. “California has a history of voting Republican.”

In addition, the state has at least four competitive House races, GOP Rep. Jim Rogan's bid for re-election in what is expected to become the most expensive House race ever. Rogan helped managed Clinton's impeachment trial in the Senate.

Washington state has an independent streak Ross Perot polled almost one-quarter of the vote in 1992 and is considered one of consumer advocate Ralph Nader's strongest states, draining votes away from Gore. GOP Sen. Slade Gorton has a tough re-election battle, and Republicans need to gain just one eat in the state House to take control of the chamber and have a say in reapportionment next year.

“It's going to be tempting for the Republicans to play there,” Benenson said.

The RNC also transferred $1.2 million to a state party where Bush is expected to have no trouble winning: Texas. The state also has some competitive House races, but the real battle is over control of the Legislature. The GOP holds a one-seat edge in the Senate; Democrats hold a six-seat margin in the House.

Should Texas Republicans capture the House and keep the Senate, they would have total control of the reapportionment process in the nation's second most-populous state, helping to cancel the Democrats' control over redistricting in California.

“We're putting money into legislative races in Texas, as we are in a number of states,” Pascoe said. “Redistricting will be an important fight next year and we want to make sure that Republicans are fairly represented in the line drawing process around the country.”

Similarly, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in July transferred almost $1 million to the Texas Democratic Party to help in legislative elections.

“We're committed to electing Democrats at every level,” DCCC spokesman John Del Cecato said. “There are some key legislative and congressional races in Texas. We're going to continue to be active.”