NRCC Just Can't Raise $

Via Kevin Drum:

A crucial GOP fundraising committee is nearly broke, according to its latest monthly filing with the Federal Election Committee last week.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) reported $1.6 million in cash on hand and $4 million in debts as of Aug. 31. The group helps bankroll House campaigns for GOP candidates.

Its counterpart, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, reported $22.1 million, more than 10 times its Republican counterpart.

Tom Cole may have been given the political equivalent of a suicide mission when he took over for sketchy Tom Reynolds after the 2006 midterms.

MORE: Here's some recent fund-raising figures from the recent past to use for comparison:

A look back shows how sharply the Republican fortunes have declined. On the identical date in 2005, the NRCC had $624,000 more on hand than the DCCC, while on the Senate side Republicans had a $950,000 advantage.

In 2003, the NRCC had a $1.52 million edge over the DCCC as of Aug. 31, while Senate Republicans had an $800,000 margin. In 2001, it was House Republicans with a $1.38 million margin, and Senate Republicans led by $730,000. In 1999, the DCCC managed a $661,000 lead in cash on hand over the NRCC. But Senate Republicans enjoyed a $1 million edge.