Congressional Republicans can’t seem to keep pace in the race for cash this election cycle. Their inability to get a grasp on earmark spending, their failure to support President Bush’s veto of the multi-billion-dollar agricultural bill, and their utter lack of an agenda for the fall have brought them more angry letters than checks. Recent high-profile losses in special elections in districts once considered safe have led many donors to believe that Republicans don’t have what it takes to regain the majority this November. As a consequence, people are keeping their checkbooks shut and starving the GOP of campaign cash. So far this election cycle, the National Republican Congressional Committee has brought in only $27 million of the $58 million it projected. What’s worse, they have only $6 million on hand, compared to nearly $45 million on hand reported by congressional Democrats. Things have gotten so bad that the GOP is bribing donors with stuffed elephant toys if they donate $35 or more, saying “Sam” will be the “hit of your July Fourth Party.” That might be the case if Sam is stuffed with fireworks and set afire in the driveway.