“They can’t give any money and they can’t vote,” said former RNC Chairman Jim Nicholson of the ambassadors. “I don’t know why you’d take time to do it.”…

An RNC official, who confirmed the authenticity of the message, said Alpert works on tasks other than those related to fundraising and stressed that the intent with the ambassadorial meetings was not to raise money.

“As the email clearly states, the briefing was about an exchange of ideas,” said the official. “There is no finance component whatsoever to any such meetings.”…

But for Steele’s critics, the idea that he would be looking for face-time with foreign ambassadors instead of trying to raise money for the party underscores the view that he’s in the job to promote himself instead of the GOP. What’s particularly galling to Republicans is that Steele’s diplomatic overtures come at a time when the party desperately needs to boost its mediocre fundraising to be competitive in the many House, Senate and gubernatorial contests this fall where Democrats seem vulnerable.