RNC Runner-Up Plots to Unseat Steele: Source

(NEWSER) - Michael Steele emerged from a grueling contest today to become the first African-American chairman of the Republican National Committee, Politico reports. The six-ballot process, the most drawn-out in years, ended in the rare election of a non-member. “This is awesome,” the former Maryland lieutenant governor said, drawing a laugh. He said he accepted the post with “a great deal of humility and a sense of service.” More»

Candidates competing for chairman brag of networking chops

(NEWSER) - With the Republican National Committee voting for a new chairman today, the candidates have been busy competing not on ideological grounds but on who has more Facebook friends, and who's more adept at Twittering, the Wall Street Journal reports. In rebuilding the party, one strategist declared the top priority to be closing the technology gap that helped put Barack Obama in the White House—"winning the technology war with the Democrats." More»

Bauer is a skilled, controversial Democratic veteran

(NEWSER) - Robert Bauer, the new White House counsel, is a longtime Democratic operative known for his hard-nosed style and work ethic. He is a veteran of the Clinton impeachment proceedings and represented House Democrats during the Bush years, where he was known for his aggressive strategy—he went as far as to sue Tom DeLay and his fundraisers for racketeering. More»

RNC chair says he sees it in meetings

(NEWSER) - Rack up another gaffe for Michael Steele. The Republican National Committee chair has been trying to improve his party’s relationship with minority voters, but he may have been a little too honest in a recent interview with NewsOne's Roland Martin. Martin suggested that white Republicans were "scared" of African Americans, to which Steele responded, "You're absolutely right. I mean I've been in the room and they've been scared of me. I'm like, "I'm on your side.'" More»

Alaska gov. needs time to sort out the current 'financial mess'

(NEWSER) - A Sarah Palin presidential run in the next election is “off the table,” Michael Steele tells Fox News. "Not having talked to the governor, I take 2012 off the table right now simply because (of) everything she's going through personally,” said the Republican party chief. Palin's busy “dealing with the financial mess that all these ludicrous investigations have put her in. At the moment, I think she's trying to focus on getting her personal house in order.” More»