GOP to Steele: We Set Policy, Not You

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 5, 2009 11:14 AM CDT

(Newser) – Congressional GOP leaders met with RNC chairman Michael Steele late last month to assert their authority when it comes to policymaking, and while those involved said the get-together in House Minority Leader John Boehner’s office was routine, Politico's sources described it as heated. Of particular concern was Steele’s “health care bill of rights,” an attack on Democratic health care reform apparently issued without consultation.

Steele backers, of course, say Republican legislators were in on the RNC offensive, and that it was a good idea: “I would defy anyone that it wasn’t politically smart,” one says. But others say the acrimonious meeting was evidence of the GOP’s continued uneasiness with Steele and his flamboyant ways. They'd like him to stick to fundraising and helping Republicans get elected. “He’s on a short leash here,” an aide says.

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Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele. (AP Photo)

Republic National Committee chairman Michael Steele. (AP Photo)

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., center, flanked by Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn, right, and Sen. Jim Thune, R-S.D. All were present at the meeting. (AP Photo)

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We wanted to make sure that the policy that he was talking about—that the policy was developed by the Congress. And I had a good conversation with Michael after our meeting, and I’m perfectly satisfied. - Sen. Lamar Alexander

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