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Civil War Rages at RNC
Old guard tries to force spending regulations on Steele
By Gabriel Winant
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Posted May 1, 09 9:14 AM CDT
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(Newser)
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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.”