RNC Candidates Must Measure Up to Dems' Kaine

Saul Anuzis will likely be joined by several others in RNC election

(NEWSER) - Here they come: Less than two weeks after the Republicans' happy day, the first official challenger to RNC chief Michael Steele has announced, reports the Washington Post . It's former Michigan GOP chief Saul Anuzis, who says of the gaffe-prone Steele: His "record speaks for itself." At least a dozen others are considering, says Politico , which reports that Pennsylvania party chief Rob Gleason is actively gauging his own support. Steele hasn't said whether he's running again early next year, but he could just sneak back in if too many line up against him, notes the Post. More»

Michael Steele is a victim of this narrow-minded atmosphere

(NEWSER) - Joke all you want about Michael Steele's new troubles , but one part of this mess isn't so funny, Ned Resnikoff writes for Salon . It's the depressing—and dangerous—political reality that neither Republicans nor Democrats will tolerate debate of the Afghanistan war. "The leadership of both major parties concludes that the only acceptable position to take is a stalwartly pro-war one," he writes. More»

(NEWSER) - The RNC has joined the fracas over health care reform with a proposed “seniors’ bill of rights” that guards against Medicare cuts, ABC News reports. “Our seniors have really come under fire in the last few weeks,” says RNC chair Michael Steele—who backed Medicare cuts as a Senate candidate in 2006. His argument today on Good Morning America: "We should protect the seniors' ability to access health care." More»

Special election turned out not to be litmus test after all; RNC chairman draws Dem fire instead

(NEWSER) - Michael Steele got off to a rocky start in his job as chairman of the Republican National Committee but he promised he’d deliver election victories in places like New York’s 20th district. Now that the GOP has lost that election, Steele is catching flak. But, CQ Politics reports, criticism is surprisingly coming from Democrats, who are mocking his promise to make the race “a focal point.” More»

Dawson said to be organizing no confidence vote for after NY election

(NEWSER) - Controversial Republican National Committee head Michael Steele will likely face a no-confidence vote after the election to replace former New York Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand March 31—whether or not the GOP is able to keep her seat, Republican sources tell Political Wire. Katon Dawson, who placed second in January's vote for RNC chairman, is stealthily organizing the vote with the backing of state party chiefs who want Steele out, according to the sources. More»