RNC changes debate rules for 2016

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Lunging for control of the GOP ahead of high-stakes elections, the Republican National Committee on Friday took steps to end free-for-all presidential debates and vowed to punish potential contenders who participate in rogue forums.

At the same time, an independent organization with deep ties to the conservative Koch brothers has elected to spend $125 million on the battle for control of the Senate this fall, giving the 168-member central party meeting a stark reminder that outside groups will have significant sway over Republican political fortunes through the 2016 presidential race.

"At the RNC, we cannot control everything in politics. But we have an important mission, and we're going to get the job done," RNC chairman Reince Priebus said as he opened the meeting on Friday.

As he spoke, reports circulated that Americans for Prosperity plans to escalate its television advertising across the nation, improve voter data collection and strengthen its 31-state ground operation. It was a bracing reality check for the RNC: Despite the committee's efforts, the GOP establishment won't be the only one setting Republican priorities.

A senior official with direct knowledge of Americans for Prosperity's plans confirmed the election blueprint, outlined in a memo distributed to Republican donors this spring. The official confirmed the memo's authenticity but wasn't authorized to publicly discuss its contents.

Industrialist billionaires Charles and David Koch have already funneled millions of dollars to conservative causes. Democrats including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have roundly criticized the billionaires and claim Republican policies are being dictated by an agenda to grow the Kochs' wealth.

In a nod to the Kochs' heft, the RNC passed a resolution condemning Reid for what it called "hyperbolic attacks . . . on private citizens."

The struggle to mend a party split between populist and establishment factions has hung over the meeting in Memphis, with RNC officials looking for ways to make it harder for weak but vocal candidates to prolong nomination fights, roil debates and jeopardize the party's chances - again - of winning the Senate majority and the presidency.

Sen. Rand Paul, the Kentucky Republican and darling of the antiestablishment segment of his party, used his spot at an RNC luncheon to urge members to rethink policies on national security and drug prosecutions - neither of which was likely to win him many votes should he move forward with a presidential bid.

Paul did, however, earn thunderous applause when he criticized potential Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton's tenure as secretary of state, during which attacks on a U.S. post in Benghazi, Libya, left four Americans dead in 2012. House Republicans last week announced a select committee that would again investigate the attacks.

"Hillary Clinton has precluded herself from ever being considered for that position," Paul said. It was a preview of his message in a head-to-head presidential contest with the former first lady should she decide to run.

First, though, someone has to capture the GOP nomination.

On Thursday, the RNC rules panel endorsed the creation of a 13-person committee that would limit how many presidential debates can take place and who can ask the questions. The full committee on Friday went along with that plan to ban candidates who participate in scofflaw debates from future RNC-backed sessions, by a 152-to-7 vote.

Several committee members said they were worried that activists might see their ability to prod candidates reduced under the new rule.

"You're going to squelch the ability of candidates to get to know their voter base, and the voter base to get to know their candidates," said Diana Orrock, a national committeewoman from Nevada. "As a voter . . . I want to see the good, the bad and the ugly."

The RNC measure affects only debates as candidates vie for the GOP nomination; the bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates will still have final say on the elections between the Republican and Democratic nominees during the general election campaign.

But the RNC recommendation did take a step at reining in the haphazard debate style that characterized the 2012 selection progress. The freewheeling system provided a seemingly endless series of debates, from which former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney emerged as the party's nominee, but only after weathering harsh criticism from his rivals.

"Spending too much time fighting with each other distracts the party from its ultimate goal, which is winning the presidency," said Bruce Ash, chairman of the RNC's rules committee.