Beware of RNC "Census"

Michael Steele

RNC Chairman

For all of my Republican friends (unfortunately there are far too many of you): beware of a fundraising letter in the form of a "survey" which is designed to mislead people into thinking it is the 2010 U.S. Census. It has been sent out by the Republican National Committee and calls itself the "Congressional District Census" and comes with the warning, "DO NOT DESTROY OFFICIAL DOCUMENT" and has a label on the envelope saying it is a "census document."

The letter from Michael Steele, the chairman of the National Republican Chairman, reads: "That is why I have authorized a census to be conducted for every congressional district in the country." He obviously would like us to confuse his assumed "authority" with that of the U.S. Constitution (Art. 1, Sec. 2).

And not only does the party admit the duplicity, they are proud of it. " 'Of course, duping people is the point. ... That's one of the reasons why it works so well,” said one Republican operative familiar with the program, who said it’s among the RNC’s most lucrative fundraising initiatives. “They will likely mail millions this year [with] incredible targeting.”" (Politico,1/25/10)

If I were disposed to contribute to the RNC, which I am not, I would use another avenue than this attempt to confuse their supporters.