CRAFT is a 527 committee launched by last year by Schwarzenegger donors Larry Dodge and Paul Folino, and former Gov. Pete Wilson to recruit the "next generation" of statewide Republicans candidates. It is run by former California Republican Party Chairman Duf Sundheim.

Moderate GOP pundit Tony Quinn opined at the time that CRAFT's formation "...shows the money people in the party have no faith in the California Republican party. This group would not exist if not for the fact that Republicans can't win statewide elections."

Judging by CRAFT's financial disclosure, I'm not sure those involved know how to run a political organization.

During the 2008 cycle, CRAFT raised $1.4 million and spent $1,005,383.

Of that $1 million in expenditures, $880,000 was paid to Duf Sundheim.

Maybe the named should be changed to CRAFD: California Republicans Aligned For Duf.

Duf invited me to breakfast year to explain CRAFT's mission, which on its face struck me as beneficial to the GOP: meet with potential GOP candidates for statewide office and give them a reality check about whether their aspirations are realistic. If not, help them discover a more realistic level of ambition and assist them in succeeding. If they are high caliber candidates, CRAFT will train them for success. And no litmus test applied. At least, that's it in a nutshell.

But 70% administrative overhead, nearly all for Duf? Good grief. Makes it hard to wag fingers at the CRP.