Posted on 11/09/2006 11:31:27 PM PST by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
Steele balls? Balls of Steele? Whatta deal! (LOL)
Newt is damaged good with too much personal baggage, and accordingly will never rise to any prominent position within the Republican Party again other than as a pundit for Sean Hannity.
Offer the job to Jim Robinson.
If anyone can whip the party into shape it is him.
Probably according to plan...
Nancee
Yes I agree, we have a very viable candidate for the Presidency in Steele. Putting him at the head of the RNC just places a big target on his head and brands him a political hack.
Do not waste this good man.
Steele would be an excellent choice.
The GOP lost 22 seats by 5000 votes or less, eighteen of which were in Republican majority districts.
Steele can recruit the next slate of candidates to challenge for those seats, which should be returned in the next cycle with smart recruitment and campaigning.
Newt is no more conservative than Ronald Reagan, who won by a landslide, twice.
Another PC decision. We need a strong leader not just another move to please the neocon newbies.
He would be awesome! Steele is EXTREMELY articulate and likable!
>Position Steele as the permanent representative.<
That's an interesting idea, Ivan. I think wherever Steele ends up, he'll do a great job.
Quote: "pulling the old democrat trick of just trying to scare people. The entire thing was just like the democrats saying " Republicans want to hurt women, children and the elderly". His was "vote Republican or Nancy will be house leader". He would not support most Conservatives. "
You taught him and those Republicans a lesson they will never forget. It gets even better, though, we are all about to learn a lesson, one that we already learned, but that I am being reminded of as I visit my parents in Sarasota (Fla 13). Remember Florida 2000? What was the lesson there? It was that democrats would do anything to hang onto power. Well in Florida's 13th district, its Florida 2000 all over again where the dems are trying to count undervotes (in minority areas only of course) as democract votes. Gee that sounds familiar. Look at the other still too close to call races around the country right now. Look at the democrat shenanigans going on there. No scare tactics, just reality.
The lesson? No opposition will be tolerated and by hook or crook, the dems will hold onto power. We have become the permanent minority party.
Quote: "Offer the job to Jim Robinson.
If anyone can whip the party into shape it is him."
And after the democrats regulate the internet and rid themselves of bloggers and other nuisances (like FR) Jim will have plenty of time on his hands.
This is a brilliant move by the formerly stupid party.
Tell that to Haley Barbor and George H. W. Bush.
Being RNC Chair was a good step up for both.
We need somebody who can articulate conservatism in an engaging and hopeful way -- Steele is that kind of man, which is unfortunately too rare.
If we don't have people like this teaching conservatism over the next two years it makes 2008 harder. I'd rather not see a man with Steele's character abroad in such a post as you mention. He'd be invisible to most US citizens and we'd lose a valuable teacher.
It's not that Newt's too conservative -- it's that he's not likeable enough. (I like him, believe me, but I think he comes across as too intellectual for many).
I am also concerned that we have to do what we can to get him into the Oval Office, for the sake of the Free World. Being RNC chair is a dirty, nasty, streetfighting job - is that the best way to get him there?
With an ambassadorship he gains foreign experience as well, which would be vital for a VP slot.
Regards, Ivan
There's talk last night that if Hillary gets it she might pick someone like Webb.
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