1115.org

Well, not actually with Ken Mehlman or any of the people at the RNC who…you know…matter, but one of the benefits of being mistaken for a Republican is the chance to have a conversation like this:

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(phone rings)

Me: Hello?

RNC Drone: Mr. Leder? This is Emily at the Republican National Committee Headquarters. How are you doing today?

Me: Uhm…doing good.

RNC: That’s great! As you know, Democrats are once again proving that they are the party of obstruction by standing in the way of the President’s bold reform agenda. As a loyal RNC member, can I count on you for a $75 donation to help the President push hus agenda forward?

Me: I’m sorry. I’ve decided that I can no longer contribute donations to the Republican party.

RNC: Oh really? May I ask why not?

Me: Well Emily…to be honest, I have become quite discouraged by how the party has handled the controversy surrounding the outing of that CIA agent. Even though I consider myself to be a loyal Republican, I firmly believe that politics should never come at the expense of national security. I think our intelligence agents deserve better, and I don’t see the party taking this issue seriously enough.

RNC: Oh I see. But as you know the 2006 elections are coming up, and we could really use your support to protect Republican candidates from the Democratic smears and distortions. Can I count on you for a donation of, say, $50?

Me: Like I said, I’m not planning on contributing any money while this issue remains. For all my life, I’ve believed that the Republican Party was the party of integrity, the party of doing what’s right, while the Democrats were the party of excuses. Now I’m not so sure, and it saddens me.

RNC: Uhm… (pause) Well, there are some times when you don’t have to agree with the party on every issue…there are a few bad apples that sometimes get in the way of the President’s Agenda and we hope that this matter will be resolved shortly…(pause)…would you be able to do a donation of $25?

Me: As I said, I’m not interested in giving any money right now. But thank you for the call.

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You can’t fault them for trying, though it’s pretty damn funny that the “few bad apples” are, in this case, some of the President’s closest advisors and political operatives. Now, if only I could get CNN to call me so I could complain about Robert Novak….

(note: I have yet to receive a fundraising call from the Dems, even though they are the party I’ve actually given money to in the past. I’m not sure if this is an example of them being courteous or dropping the ball)