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The Contenders for RNC Chair

In a "very, very, sleepy" race...

By Gabriel Winant, Newser User

Posted Dec 18, 2008 10:03 AM CST

(Newser) – A largely thankless job running a down-and-out party—no wonder these guys are fighting tooth-and-nail. Politico handicaps the candidates for Republican National Committee chair:

Mike Duncan: The current RNC chair’s record is mixed. Despite his prolific fundraising, he presided over both the 2008 disaster and the mini-rebound the party enjoyed in elections after November 4.

Saul Anuzis: Chairman of the Michigan GOP, the colorful Anuzis has been picking up steam. “If I had to assign momentum in what has been a very, very sleepy race, I’d assign it to Anuzis,” says a strategist. But Republicans have gotten stomped in Michigan lately.
Michael Steele: A great communicator and an African American, Steele has a leg up when it comes to outreach. But doubts persist about his commitment to social conservatism.
Katon Dawson: As head of the South Carolina Republicans, Dawson has a pretty good record, and his message of state-level control is appealing. But he used to belong to an all-white country club, and does the party really need to seem more Southern?

To read the full list, click the link below.

[Quotes (1)]

Republican National Committee Chairman Robert "Mike" Duncan gavels a recess at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Monday, Sept. 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

Michael Steele, chairman of GOPAC and former lieutenant governor of Maryland, waves before speaking at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

Saul Anuzis, in Dearborn, Mich., Oct. 8, 2007, announced Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008 that he's running to replace RNC Chairman Mike Duncan, even though Duncan indicated he wants another two-year term. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson announces January 19th 2008 as the date of his state's primary at the Statehouse in Concord, N.H., Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)

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If there was a movement that could push Duncan out, I think it would be identifiable at this point. I just do not get the feeling that there is going to be some great change. - Republican strategist

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The Contenders for RNC Chair

In a "very, very, sleepy" race...