It's Judgment Day for Michael Steele at RNC

Reince Priebus considered front-runner to take over
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 14, 2011 9:40 AM CST
It's Judgment Day for Michael Steele at RNC
Michael Steele talks with supporters during a rally in Stockton, Calif., during the RNC's national "Fire Pelosi" bus tour, Oct. 6, 2010.   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

The Republican National Committee will meet tonight to select its chairman—and pretty much no one is betting on the incumbent. Michael Steele is actually sitting in second place in public tallies right now, behind perceived front-runner Reince Priebus, according to Politico. But as the incumbent, Steele is unlikely to draw new votes throughout the many rounds of balloting. One journalist tells NPR there’s an “overwhelming likelihood” that Steele will be ousted.

Priebus—head of the Wisconsin GOP and a former Steele adviser—would likely then remain the favorite, but he’ll have to show momentum throughout the balloting. There’s also an X-factor: Committee rules state that the chair and co-chair must be different genders. There’s only one male co-chair candidate, but if he wins, Missouri GOP chair Ann Wagner and Pfizer lobbyist Maria Cino will suddenly be the only possible chairman choices. (More Michael Steele stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X