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At RNC, Change Means Bashing Bush

Former loyalists lash out at ex-president in race for new chairman

By Gabriel Winant, Newser User

Posted Jan 28, 2009 12:18 PM CST

(Newser) – In deciding on a new chairman, Republican National Committee members are wrestling with ambivalence about George W. Bush, the Washington Post reports. Incumbent Mike Duncan, appointed by the former president, faces something of a backlash. Duncan “never criticized Bush when the president was wrong,” says one member. “He’s the agent of the establishment, and we need a change in personnel.”

To these party faithful, the president’s sins (beside his unpopularity) were his advocacy of an immigration compromise, and last year’s Wall Street bailout. “Most of us strongly supported the Bush administration through the entire two terms, but in the last few months, this bailout and the abandonment of capitalism really kind of sealed it,” says a member.

[Images (7)]

[Quotes (2)]

Former Maryland lieutenant governor Michael Steele is among those challenging Bush appointee Mike Duncan for chairmanship of the Republican National Committee. (AP Photo)

After seeing the party lose the presidency and seats in the House and Senate, Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan is trying to hold his job against five change-minded challengers. (AP Photo)

President Bush, right, is introduced by then-Republican National Committee Chairman Sen. Mel Martinez at the Republican National Committee Gala, May 10, 2007 in Washington. (AP Photo)

In this 2007 file photo, South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson speaks in Concord, NH. Dawson is a candidate for RNC chairman. (AP Photo)

In this 2006 file photo, Ken Blackwell speaks at a rally in Cleveland. Blackwell is a candidate for RNC chairman. (AP Photo)

In this 2007 file photo, John Saltsman attends a news conference in Little Rock, Ark. Saltsman is a candidate for RNC chairman. (AP Photo)

In this 2008 file photo, Michigan Republican Party chairman Saul Anuzis is seen in Livonia, Mich. Anuzis is a candidate for RNC chairman. (AP Photo)

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It seems like we only want to appeal to Southerners. We seem too far to the right, and I think we need to have a better understanding of principles that appeal to people in all 50 states. - John Feehery, adviser to former House Speaker Dennis Hastert

There are things President Bush did very well; there were things we wish he had done differently . . . but it's so easy to play Monday-morning quarterback. - Robin Smith, Tennessee GOP chairman

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At RNC, Change Means Bashing Bush