Republicans stick with Benghazi cash grab

Republicans have no intention of listening to Trey Gowdy.

A number of Republican candidates and conservative groups have openly used the Sept. 11, 2012, attacks in Benghazi, Libya, as a cash grab. And thats likely to continue despite a strongly worded rebuke from the new chairman of the Republican select committee assigned to investigate the response to the attacks.

Gowdy, a South Carolina Republican, commented on MSNBC Wednesday that he and fellow Republicans should not fundraise off the backs of four murdered Americans creating a new standard by which the party can be judged and opening the GOP up to charges of past, present and future hypocrisy.

(Also on POLITICO: Behind the Benghazi select committee)

Thats put the party in an awkward spot. Republicans on Capitol Hill are eager to lend the looming committee investigation into the murder of four Americans an air of sobriety, dignity and seriousness. But political strategists are eager to mobilize the GOP base and amp up grassroots fundraising by capitalizing on the bases outrage over how the Obama administration handled the attacks.

The 2012 consulate attack and accusations of a White House cover-up are catnip for grassroots donors and activists. And Benghazi and the select committee assigned to investigate it is a key part of the GOP fundraising and mobilization strategy. This week, the National Republican Congressional Committee rolled out a new fundraising campaign called Benghazi Watchdogs an effort by the aiming to raise money off Gowdys new position. Publicly available domain registration data shows that the site was registered Tuesday.

Other fundraising solicitations about Benghazi include:

Brad Dayspring, a spokesman for the NRSC, said that there hasnt been a coordinated effort from the committee to fundraise off of the issue, even though his committee wrote a blog post with a fundraising solicitation about the hearings.

Part of politics is fundraising. I think fundraising is a separate activity than calling attention to important issues, he said in an interview. Benghazi is going to be a topic of discussion because it deserves answers, and I think its important for both candidates and elected officials to discuss it.

(Also on POLITICO: Nancy Pelosi leaning toward boycotting Benghazi panel)

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Republicans stick with Benghazi cash grab

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