Can you have a headwind on your back? There's lots of the usual silliness in this Politico piece, but this section is pretty good:
The National Republican Congressional Committee ended September with just $4.3 million in the bank, less than one-third of the $14.7 million banked by its Democratic counterpart. So far this cycle, NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions hasn’t improved the fundraising fortunes of the committee — he’s raised $10 million less than his predecessor, Rep. Tom Cole, did at this same point in the past election cycle.
And the committee took an additional financial hit in the New York 23rd District special election, spending nearly $1 million on a race in which the GOP nominee, Dede Scozzafava, ended up quitting and then endorsing the Democratic candidate. Worse, the NRCC’s decision to support Scozzafava’s campaign has played a role in alienating conservative donors.
Money isn't everything, of course, but you need cash to expand the playing field, and the NRCC doesn't have it. $4.3 million is barely enough for 1-2 targeted races. And while fundraising always picks up the year of the elections (i.e. 2010), Cole is already running well behind last cycle's pace. That's a tough place to be if you're looking to pick up 41 seats.
It's also hilarious that they blew $1 million on a candidate that endorsed the Democrat in NY-23.