RNC asks Steele to replace Mehlman

The Washington Times ^ | November 10, 2006 | Ralph Z. Hallow

[icwhatudo]

Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman, whose party just lost both chambers of Congress, will leave his position in January, and the post as party chief has been offered to Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele. "It is true," Mr. Mehlman told The Washington Times when asked about reports last night that he would resign. "It's something I decided over the summer. No one told me I needed to. In fact, folks wanted me to stay."

Mr. Mehlman said he "told the White House over the summer it was my decision" to leave the RNC post, "win, lose or draw."

Also last night, Republican officials told The Times that Mr. Steele, who lost his bid for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, has been sought out to succeed Mr. Mehlman as national party chairman. Those Republican officials said Mr. Steele had not made a decision whether to take the post, as of last night.

[StoneWall Brigade]

Big mistake but i respect the RNC's decision

[Steven W.]

Actually I think it's an excellent move!

[right way right]

Washington times.....Guess its true then.

[StoneWall Brigade]

I don't but like i said its there choice not mine

[Anti-Hillary]

I think Newt would be a better fit. We need a guy who already knows how to kick arse and WIN. However, Steele will be a great choice. The guy will be able to articulate our points and not take crap from the MSM.

[conservative in nyc]

Why is this a big mistake? Although he didn't win, Michael Steele ran one of the best campaigns of any Senate candidate in the country. And he has experience chairing the Maryland Republican Party. Note this, also from the article:

But they said that President Bush's political adviser Karl Rove, who is Mr. Mehlman's mentor, would rather see Mr. Steele serve in the president's Cabinet, perhaps as secretary of Housing and Urban Development. These officials said no one has actually offered Mr. Steele either the RNC post or a Cabinet post.

[Sprite518]

I love it.. Good move!

[StoneWall Brigade]

Look i'd rather have Rick or Delay but I respect there choice

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Steele has also had to take more crap than white Republicans, and doesn't take it lying down! The national press can't throw anything at him that he hasn't already batted down!

[perfect_rovian_storm]

If Rove would "rather have" him elsewhere, then I am 1000% for Steele taking this position. Rove has been part of the problem, not part of the solution on a lot of things.

[catholicfreeper]

I read that article. I know its late and maybe I am missing something. But after reading it it still wasnt clear to me that anyone has offered it to him

[perfect_rovian_storm]

It's in the first paragraph. "has been offered..."

[zbigreddogz]

It's not Mehlman's fault at all, he's been good, but it's SOP to replace somebody after a disaster like this just to restore confidence in the underlings.

And besides that, Steele is the best possible replacement for him. He is absolutely the best face for the Republican party in existance. If he were from an even slightly less liberal state, he'd be Senator now.

[dc-zoo]

Awesome choice.

[PhiKapMom]

I want to replace my State Chairman and National Committee man and woman and get some people in our State that know how to run an election in the 21st century not in the 1980's.

This is an excellent choice IMHO!

[Uriah_lost]

I think Steele has his eye on higher elected office and RNC chief is not a step in that direction so I expect him to turn it down. Rove wants him in the Cabinet and that may be a better route for a man with ambitions.

[tcrlaf]

Tacticly, it's a great move...

It puts a black REPUBLICAN in the forefront, threatening the Dems Black vote, which they cannot win without...

That threat means Jesse and Al must step up, destroying Dems cred with "Normal People"...

They can't attack and dismiss him in the usual Democrat way..

It prepares the black community for Vice-President Rice...