Defining moment for Maryland GOP

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ANNAPOLIS -- The success tonight of the Maryland Republican Party's largest annual fundraiser will play a key role in the future of the organization, including its leadership.

Party leaders hope to raise $300,000 at the Red, White and Blue Dinner to cover annual operating costs. But ticket sales and corporate sponsorships are expected to fall below the goal, sources told The Washington Times.

Though state party officials and staffers will not reveal how much money is being raised and spent, some Republicans say the state party needs to be leaner.

"Obviously, you have to adjust overhead to mesh with fundraising realities," said Kevin Igoe, who was executive director of the party from 1990 to 1992, when the dinners started. "There's just a huge difference raising money now. You cannot understate that. The days of 800 to 900 people [at the dinner] are over."

The sources also said lawmakers are getting free tickets to the event, which will feature anti-tax crusader Grover Norquist and is being held at Baltimore's Hyatt Regency.

The state party increased its staff while Republican Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. was governor from 2003 until early this year, compared with previous years when it had only a paid, full-time executive director and office assistant.

But since losing the governor's office, the party has maintained four paid staff positions and has paid a retainer fee for an attorney, which has members grousing about fiscal responsibility.

"I do believe that our staffing levels should be proportionate to our income," said one Republican Central Committee member, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "We should be looking at 2000-01 levels."

The state party opened a $100,000 credit line in April to meet daily costs, but has not said how much has been spent.

The success of the fundraiser could help determine the future of state party Executive Director John Flynn, who has lost some support since taking the job in December, the sources said.

Representatives from the state party did not return calls for comment.

Meanwhile, the state's two marquee Republicans -- Mr. Ehrlich and former Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele -- have been used lightly, though Mr. Ehrlich is expected to speak briefly at the dinner.

"I'm really not overly involved in the fundraising," said Richard E. Hug, Mr. Ehrlich's former chief fundraiser.