Parker Takes Hammer to Steele

Embattled RNC chairman seeking second term

(NEWSER) - Michael Steele has defied expectations and announced that he plans to seek another term at the helm of the GOP. The embattled Republican National Committee chairman, heavily criticized by his own party over gaffes and alleged financial mismanagement, told the RNC's 168-member governing board that although he has "stumbled along the way," he is going to seek another 2-year term, Politico reports. More»

But most think his job's safe for now

(NEWSER) - CBS is floating a successor for Michael Steele who should make both sides of the aisle equally giddy: One Sarah Palin. Citing "talk in GOP circles," the network's top White House correspondent says, Palin is "the star of the Republican Party. She's the top endorser, top fundraiser—and now could be the party's top dog." More»

Michael Steele is a victim of this narrow-minded atmosphere

(NEWSER) - Joke all you want about Michael Steele's new troubles , but one part of this mess isn't so funny, Ned Resnikoff writes for Salon . It's the depressing—and dangerous—political reality that neither Republicans nor Democrats will tolerate debate of the Afghanistan war. "The leadership of both major parties concludes that the only acceptable position to take is a stalwartly pro-war one," he writes. More»

Texan defends RNC chair's Afghanistan remarks

(NEWSER) - Michael Steele is under fire from politicians and pundits alike for saying the Afghanistan war is unwinnable, but he has at least one Republican on his side: Ron Paul. "Michael Steele has it right and Republicans should stick by him," the Texas congressman said in a statement. He also says Steele shouldn't resign, but few party members are calling for the RNC chairman to step down, notes Fox News . More»

(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. More»