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More Parsky Watch Parsky Watch - The Magazine Take the Parsky Watch IQ Test Visit the Parsky Watch Store	Back to Parsky Watch archives Killing the year round plug on registration bounty Parsky Watch #33 December 21, 2002 MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY Undeterred by his appalling pattern of failure, Gerry Parsky continues to sabotage the fortunes of the California Political Party. In this case, it is his decision to suspend the voter registration bounty program. The elections are over. There are no nominees to support. The party’s focus should be on fundraising and voter registration in preparation for the next election. Fundraising is Parsky’s alleged strength, and he has made much of his commitment to the bounty program. Why then, has Parsky decided to pull the plug on the bounty program, which this year generated more than 400,000 GOP registrations? Given the mind-boggling budget meltdown created by the Democrats and their accompanying resolve to pass the buck to taxpayers by enacting massive tax increases, this would seem like a very hospitable environment for asking voters to register as Republicans. Parsky & Co. blame the new McCain-Feingold campaign finance law (which went into effect the day after the election), claiming it utterly cripples their ability to fund the program. This is a song we have heard before. Over a year ago, Parsky made generous assurances that he would raise enormous sums of money or the state GOP -- promises that remain unkept. State party program’s have limped along half-funded – or unfounded altogether – under Parsky’s stewardship. In some way, the bounty program’s suspension is surprising, in light of Parsky’s loudly proclaimed support for it throughout the year. However, after examining his proffered reason for suspending it, it falls into a predicable pattern. While McCain-Feingold indeed makes it more difficult to fund the bounty program, it by no means cripples it. Complex funding rules govern how much can be spent on state political activities that effect federal races – as registration bounty programs do. Heretofore, these programs have relied on the unlimited soft-money donations of the type Parsky promised – but failed – to deliver. Under the new rules, the funding will have to come from smaller but nonetheless still hefty contributions in the $10,000 range. The Colossus of TeamCal should have no difficulty raising sufficient funds even under the new rules – it will just take more time and effort on his part. And if he is unwilling to commit that time and effort, one must ask exactly what Parsky’s priorities are, and what business he has being in charge of the California Republican Party? Because of Parsky’s indifference, we are in danger of squandering a golden opportunity to capitalize on dissatisfaction with the Democrats and make registrations gains that could spell the difference in the next election.