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Civil War Rages at RNC

Old guard tries to force spending regulations on Steele

By Gabriel Winant, Newser User

Posted May 1, 2009 9:14 AM CDT

(Newser) – Behind closed doors at the Republican National Committee, a battle’s raging over how much decision-making power chairman Michael Steele should have and, by implication, how much the party trusts him. Some RNC members, led by Treasurer Randy Pullen, the Arizona party chairman, are pushing strict oversight on Steele’s spending power, reports Politico. They say such measures have been standard in the past, but a Steele ally calls it an “attempt to usurp the chairman’s authority.”

Insists a reform advocate, “It doesn’t reflect on Steele.” But critics also point out that Steele has spent lavishly on interior decorating and employed his favorite consultants. Steele’s allies shoot back that it’s an attempt to “re-live the (RNC) election through means other than a vote.” One committeeman laments the whole affair. “These are the Jews and the Palestinians here.”

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

At left, Florida party chairman Jim Greer, who calls the reforms an attempt to re-run a legitimate election. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

Republican National Chairman Michael Steele responds to a question during a news conference before the Vanderburgh County Right to Life fundraising dinner in Evansville, Ind., April 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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

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The Republican National Committee is this tiny group of people, some of whom have been there 20 years or more. And they all think they're precious. And they all think they should be taken care of. - Newt Gingrich

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 13 comments

Rob

May 1, 2009 9:05 AM CDT

You rock today, woody!

woodyTX

May 1, 2009 8:33 AM CDT

I'm saying I don't know what the motives were for picking Steele. I do know he was elected (for better or worse) by 100 Republicans representing all 50 state parties, not just the rabid right wingers of the South East. NINY's comment above is a good one. The introduction of race into the discussion without a direct, compelling reason serves no worthy cause.

Robert_Dada

May 1, 2009 8:27 AM CDT

I agree with sache. If our current president wasn't black, neither would the head of the RNC. If there were no viable women democratic presidential candidates for the November election, McCain would have picked a white male. The GOP has resorted to simplistic tactics, thinking that race and gender alone is going to sweep an electorate their way. The least they could do though is choose people who aren't an embarrassment to even their own party. Of course, I don't mind. This just puts them further on the fringe and out of the way of the policies I have been supporting to get enacted.

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Civil War Rages at RNC