Michael Steele to debate challengers for RNC chair today (Live on C-SPAN)

Washington Examiner ^ | 1-3-2010 | Matthew Sheffield

[smoothsailing]

Michael Steele to debate challengers for RNC chair today

Matthew Sheffield

January 3, 2010

Later today at 1pm ET, Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele will be facing off against several challengers at a debate. Under fire for months for spending too much and injecting himself into the public eye, Steele faces an uphill battle. Earlier today, Politico reported that over half of the 168 RNC members it surveyed said they would not vote to re-elect him.

Joining Steele at the debate will be lobbyist and former deputy RNC chairwoman Maria Cino; Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus; Saul Anuzis, an opponent of Steele's from his 2009 victory who is back to challenge him this year; and former Missouri GOP chairman Ann Wagner. C-SPAN will broadcast the event live on its website starting at 1pm Eastern Time.

In the Politico survey, Priebus had the largest share of support, but with only 35 members saying he'd be their first or second choice, he's still well short of the 85 he'd need to win during the first road of voting.

While Steele is likely to be the main focus of the debate, sponsored by Americans for Tax Reform and the Daily Caller, the topic of how to counter the Barack Obama fund-raising juggernaut in 2012 is sure to be another. 

In an interview with Human Events, Steele dismissed the chief criticism lodged against him—that he's not raised as much money as his predecessor raised in 2002—by denouncing the comparison as unfair since during the 2002 campaign, so-called "soft money" was still legal and the RNC could take corporate money which it no longer can either.

During the debate, Steele will "name names" and "make it personal," a source close to the chairman told FoxNews.com analyst Chris Stirewalt. Presumably that is referring to various people that Steele has referred to previously only in the generic that he's said have encouraged large donors not to support the RNC.

He will need a lot of rhetorical firepower to try to answer a report in this morning's Washington Times that the RNC is starting off the 2011-2012 campaign cycle with more than $20 million in debt.

[marron]

Presumably that is referring to various people that Steele has referred to previously only in the generic that he's said have encouraged large donors not to support the RNC.

It would be useful if they talked about "why" people have stopped giving to the RNC.

[Cicero]

Well, I’m not sure that I’ve seen ALL of the candidates, but those candidates I have looked at are all WORSE than Steele. And that guy who quit the RNC and loudly denounced Steele was a leftist who previously worked for McCain and Romney.

Don’t be fooled. Much of this attack on Steele is coming from the RINO left. They used him up, and now they want to put in someone else who will do what the insiders want.

I’ve been as unhappy about Steele as anyone. But we should not assume that the person who replaces him is going to be better. Not without taking a pretty close look.

[traderrob6]

Well I’m not one of them and I think he’s done a terrible job.

[COBOL2Java]

It would be useful if they talked about "why" people have stopped giving to the RNC.

Why, it's because they're all RACISTS! < / sarc off >

[mojitojoe]

Well I can’t stand him and I won’t give them a dime until he’s gone. I think he’s an Obastard supporter, he’s wishy washy, can’t stand him.

[onyx]

I’m with you, thus far. I am watching LIVE o C-SPAN now.

I have read that Maria Cino is pro-abortion.

[Gator113]

Does anyone have any idea/facts/intuition as to whom we should be rooting for.

I have watched this for only 10 minutes, but so far I am very unimpressed.

[napscoordinator]

The first two names are not good after all. The one is a Lobbyist and the other did some unquestionable things. The third guy Saul seems good (I think). Most are all no names.

[Gator113]

“Does anyone” I guess that should have read, “Does any FReeper”.

[Al B.]

I agree with you as well and believe me, I have plenty of problems with Steele.

However, conservatives need to ask themselves why the Beltway GOP establishment wants Steele gone so badly. Every one of these challengers is establishment all the way and at least 3 of the 4 challengers have a particular potential 2012 candidate they support.

We need impartiality in the upcoming presidential cycle.

[GeronL]

I encourage people NOT to donate to the RINO National Committee

[smoothsailing]

Well I’m rooting for Steele, from what I can see, he’s the best of the bunch.

[Cicero]

My reading, FWIW, is that Steele personally is a pretty decent, conservative guy. But when they gave him the job, they gave him his instructions. And everyone working “under” him at the RNC also gave him his instructions.

As a result, almost every time he opened his mouth, he flubbed.

But over the last half year or so, he’s been a lot better. He’s kept his mouth shut. He did NOT join the chorus of Rove and company who worked so hard to undermine the Tea Party candidates, and caused several of them to lose. He has been willing to talk with Sarah. Can anyone imagine Karl Rove talking with her?

But apart from that, there’s the other issue. Several of the other candidates are far WORSE than Steele. They are pro-aborts. They are RINO operatives with connections to Mitt and Juan.

Sure, if we can get somebody better than Steele in there, fine. But let’s not fall for these RINO tricks and sit back while they install somebody much WORSE in the job. Because that’s what they intend to do.

They know that Steele has been used up. But I suspect that they may also know that Steele has decided to revolt against his handlers, and that’s why they are so desperate to get rid of him.

[mas cerveza por favor]

RINO’s did not foresee the rise of the TEA Party and resent Steele for not actively opposing it. They want somebody who can short-circuit and undermine the TPM. That is first priority for the RINO’s. Winning elections is a distant second.

[abigail2]

Are you kidding?

Michael Steele Must Go!. Sign the Petition! HERE

Michael Steele: Afghanistan is "War of Obama's Choosing"

Steele: Abortion an 'individual choice'

Candidates Line Up for RNC Chairmanship

Steele Says Blacks Have 'No Reason' to Vote Republican

Black Conservative Group Launches Petition Drive To Remove RNC Chairman Michael Steele

VIDEO: MICHAEL STEELE SAYS REPUBLICANS "AFRAID" OF HIM (video)

Video: Steele says being black gives him "slimmer margin for error" at RNC (video)

Probe of Steele spending sought

RNC exec Gentry Collins resigns, attacks Michael Steele

Michael Steele: GOP won't win House

Op-Ed: Michael Steele Must Go!

[publana]

“Obastard supporter”

Absolute malarky.

Steel has managed to raise money in spite of many of us no longer donating to the RNC. I believe he is the best of those running, but the justifiably angry masses must be appeased. I grow so tired of the ill informed knee jerks clamoring for heads. Forget the libs. We are our own worst enemies.

[abigail2]

Michael Steele Must Go!. Sign the Petition! HERE

Michael Steele: Afghanistan is "War of Obama's Choosing"

Steele: Abortion an 'individual choice'

Candidates Line Up for RNC Chairmanship

Steele Says Blacks Have 'No Reason' to Vote Republican

Black Conservative Group Launches Petition Drive To Remove RNC Chairman Michael Steele

VIDEO: MICHAEL STEELE SAYS REPUBLICANS "AFRAID" OF HIM (video)

Video: Steele says being black gives him "slimmer margin for error" at RNC (video)

Probe of Steele spending sought

RNC exec Gentry Collins resigns, attacks Michael Steele

Michael Steele: GOP won't win House

Op-Ed: Michael Steele Must Go!

[Lazamataz]

CINO, huh?

Talk about truth-in-advertising!

She could change her first name to RINO, and be RINO CINO.

[smoothsailing]

Who do you have in mind?