One of the three Republican National Committeemen from New Hampshire resigned today, protesting “the arrogance and culture in Washington,” as the crisis at the RNC continues.
Sean Mahoney, the publisher of BusinessNH magazine who is said to be mulling a run for the U.S. House, was angered by the scandal over improper use of party money at the RNC, the Union Leader reports. In a letter to Michael Steele, he calls on conservatives to stand with Tea Partiers, rather than the GOP.
“Not only has the out-of-touch, free-spending culture of Washington come to completely
dominate the United States Congress, but I have watched with growing unease as the
same mentality has seeped into our own national party,” Mahoney writes in his letter, which carries the subject heading, “Re: Protest Resignation.”
In a phone interview with TPM Tuesday afternoon, Mahoney called for the national GOP to be more welcoming to the tea partiers.
“I know up here in New Hampshire we as a state party has opened our doors to tea party activists who want to engage,” Mahoney said. “I think the RNC would be doing itself a disservice if it didn’t reach out to tea party activists and listen to them and understand their concerns.”
Mahoney added: “I’ve talked to a number of tea party groups and activists, and frankly I agree with them on the vast majority of the issues and principled positions they’re taking.”
In his letter, he takes aim at the bondage club spending scandal that has rocked the RNC:
“The recent scandal involving RNC funds being used to entertain a small crowd at a Los Angeles strip club is the straw that broke the camel’s back. The scandal represents a pattern of unaccountable and irresponsible mishaps that ought to unnerve every fiscal conservative. Overspending on private planes, limousines, remodeling, catered parties and high-priced junkets demonstrates a complete lack of respect for RNC donors; a lack of respect that was spelled out all too clearly in a leaked PowerPoint presentation that mocked our Committee’s own donors.
Mr. Chairman, do I need to remind you that the Republican Party is supposed to be the
conservative party?”
He also references the coming “Tax Day Tea Party” protest on April 15, arguing that ralliers will be protesting Republicans as well as the Democratic Administration.
‘[T]hose of us who hold these principles dear must find other ways to move the conservative agenda forward — by standing with the Tea Parties and conservative activists; supporting our State Republican Committees; and most importantly working to help elect candidates who share our conservative beliefs.”
Here, via BigGovernment.com, is Mahoney’s letter of resignation.
(This post has been updated with comments from TPM’s interview with Mahoney.)
