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GOP's Strength Frays at Local Level

Broke, scandal-ridden state parties aren't ready to help McCain

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 24, 2008 3:44 PM CDT

(Newser) – Their national candidate needs support, but the Republican Party's state chapters are in no position to lend John McCain a hand, Politico reports. From New York to Alaska, local organizations are rife with dissension, debt, and scandal. "We are clearly rebuilding," says the Michigan GOP chairman.

“We are dying at the box office,” said California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. “We are not filling the seats.” Indeed, the 2006 election season took a massive toll, and state parties have seen voter rolls shrink and treasure chests go empty. One local chairman says Republicans, as “the values party," are especially vulnerable, and might have trouble rebounding with their disaffected base.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (2)]

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, left, listens as President Bush addresses the National Governors Association in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Feb. 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

"After twelve years of being in power, you tend to get fat and lazy, and in some cases arrogant with respect to your positions," said Saul Anuzis, chairman of the Michigan Republican party. (Shutterstock.com)

Washington State Republican Party Chairman, Luke Esser, answers questions about the results from the Republican precinct caucuses on Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, in Tukwila, WA (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

%u201CWe are dying at the box office,%u201D California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said of the state's Republican Party last year. %u201CWe are not filling the seats.%u201D (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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GOP's Strength Frays at Local Level