RNC Document Admits Fear-Mongering, Selling "Access"

A Republican fundraising presentation uncovered yesterday had some embarrassing revelations about the party's current strategy. As first reported by Ben Smith:

The Republican National Committee plans to raise money this election cycle through an aggressive campaign capitalizing on "fear" of President Barack Obama and a promise to "save the country from trending toward socialism."

The strategy was detailed in a confidential party fundraising presentation, obtained by POLITICO, which also outlines how "ego-driven" wealthy donors can be tapped with offers of access and "tchochkes." [...]

In neat PowerPoint pages, it lifts the curtain on the often-cynical terms of political marketing, displaying an air of disdain for the party's donors that is usually confined to the barroom conversations of political operatives.

The document, which was obtained by Politico after it was accidentally left in a hotel room, confirms what many progressives have long assumed to be the case -- that the Republican Party's strategy depends on stoking fear and "extreme negative feelings" (read: hate) among ordinary Americans and selling "access" to extraordinarily wealthy ones.  The following slide shows how the RNC plans to take advantage of its donors:

This is the latest in a series of controversies that have dominated RNC Chairman Michael Steele's tenure running the party.  Steele is yet to comment on the story, but a spokesman said he "disagrees with the language." The spokesman also tried to downplay the importance of the presentation, saying that "fundraising documents are often controversial." 

View the entire presentation HERE.