the RNC has apparently taken to guilt-tripping former donors into giving:

Dear Ms. Luidhardt,

I don't want to believe that you've abandoned the Republican Party, but I have to ask... Have you given up?

Our records show that we have not yet received your Republican National Committee membership renewal for the critical 2008 presidential election year.

As the Treasurer of the RNC, I know our Party's success depends directly on grassroots leaders like you.

So I am surprised and concerned especially because I know how generously you supported President Bush and the RNC in the past. You helped to advance our vision for America and elect Republicans at all levels of government.

Ms. Luidhardt, I know other things come up, and perhaps you've just been delayed in renewing your membership. If that's the case, I understand.

But we've not heard from you this year - - and I hope you haven't deserted our Party.

nice country you got there. it would be a shame if democrats got elected and ruined it! OMG obama is so scary! donate now!

this letter reeks of desperation. i'm not an expert in fundraising—that's my fiancée's bag—but i suspect that badgering your prospects and insinuating that they're a bunch of traitorous quitters probably isn't the best way to win their loyalty.

(h/t bilerico, where alex was nice enough to type out the email, making it easier to cut-and-paste.) ¶

gee, I wonder if she didn't send in the money because she had to spend it on gas and food. ¶

Thanks for linking to Bilerico Project! Isn't that letter hideous?

The best part is that if you check out her blog, her husband clearly says the letter de-motivated them from giving and then in the comments section says they'll be giving to local candidates instead of McCain and the RNC.

One of the candidates they specifically list? Jon Elro - who ran for Congress recently and is running for his ole Statehouse seat. Jon opposes a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage (the only R to vote against) and co-sponsored either our hate crimes legislation or nondiscrimination legislation. He's very gay friendly.

And, as you said, she's a fundamentalist activist for the Indiana Family Institute. She also works for Rep Dan Burton - a known homophobic Republican Congressman.

And she's flipping the RNC the bird.

I love it. ¶