Steel(e) Yourself: It's Election Day For Republican National Chairman
Today's the big day in the long-awaited and much-discussed contest for chairman of the Republican National Committee. It's the biggest election in national politics since last November's presidential vote (okay, it's also the only one).
The balloting starts at 10:30 this morning and you can find regular updates on this blog.
For weeks, six men have been aggressively pursuing the party job, which pays about $200,000 a year and is good for the next two years. Along with gaining the opportunity to oversee a national political organization that spends hundreds of millions of dollars a year, the winner will instantly becomes a leading Republican spokesman at party events, on television and elsewhere else that prominent heads talk.
Contenders include the incumbent, Mike Duncan of Kentucky; former Maryland Lt. Gov. (and former state party chairman) Michael Steele; former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell; and three current or former RNC members, Michigan Chairman Saul Anuzis and South Carolina Chairman Katon Dawson. The sixth candidate, former Tennessee Chairman Chip Saltsman, withdrew on the eve of the balloting.
The candidates made their final pitches (behind closed doors) to the electorate in the ballroom of the Capital Hilton in downtown Washington last night, followed by several hours of "hospitality" in various suites at the same venue.
Now it's in the hands of the voters, all 168 of them.
Here's how it works: Only members of the Republican National Committee -- three from each state, U.S. territory or the District of Columbia--may vote. It takes a majority of those voting to win.
There is no limit to the number of ballots and no requirement that the low man drop out after each round (as is sometimes done in these events). Unless someone gains a majority on the first round, which is considered unlikely, votes will start to shift from one candidate to another after the first or second round.
Duncan is regarded as the most likely candidate to come out on top in the first round, though probably without a majority. Hand-picked as chairman by then-President George Bush and Karl Rove, the White House political adviser, Duncan has to overcome anti-Bush sentiment on the committee and the feeling of some that the party needs a new face after losing the last two national elections.
If he doesn't win on the first and gain on the second, Duncan is probably done.
Steele and Blackwell, both African-Americans, would be breakthrough choices and the election of either man would send a loud message that the party of Lincoln is changing in the Age of Obama. Steele is regarded as suspiciously moderate by many conservatives, while Blackwell, who is perhaps the most conservative candidate in the field, is also the only one who never served on the RNC.
That matters a lot, since party chairmanship contests, when there's no president in the White House to dictate a choice, more closely resemble student council elections in high school than anything else. In other words, personal connections and concerns (who will get me a prime hotel room at the 2012 Republican National Convention) usually matter more than strategic considerations (who would be the best spokesman for the party).
For such reasons, some Republican veterans think Anuzis, the Michigan state chairman or Dawson, his South Carolina counterpart, may have the best chance if Duncan, the current national chairman, doesn't make it.
Many Republicans are worried about their party being viewed as a regional (read: southern), rather than a national, one. That could open the door for Anuzis, a likeable, if somewhat nerdy, political operator to wind up in the chairman's chair when the music finally stops.
Again, stay glued to this blog for breaking news--or even better, if you haven't done so already,
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Comments
Michael Steele would be a great way to breathe some life into a dying party.
An old party that refuses to change.
Posted by: Larry Stine | January 30, 2009 10:08 AM
I hope they pick the most conservative, right wing christian they can out of the pack. It will help cement their fate for a while.
Spoken as a fiscally conservative, socially liberal ex-Republican who thinks that Obama got it right.
Posted by: craig moore | January 30, 2009 10:26 AM
When Mr Steele ran for office the Dems showed up and pelted him with oreo cookies. Unlike Obama, Mr. Steele has experienced true racism without the media to shield and protect him. His courage is unquestionable and he has the character to lead.
As for the GOP, we have seen tough times before. People said we were dead after Goldwater lost in '64 and after Watergate, but we came back because the party stands for core values even if individual politicians sometimes lapse.
The GOP needs to start work on the roots of its problem: First, we need to educate people regarding the Constitution and the foundations of our REPUBLIC (not a Democracy). Second, we need to create and support conservative media outlets. Attacking NBC, CBS and ABC is not enough, we need to create alternatives.
Posted by: MARKM | January 30, 2009 11:14 AM
What a foolish statement. Blackwell or Steele would be just great for the GOP. We do not need to go the RINO way. We need to return to conservatism because most Americans are conservative and when the principles are articulated we win.
Of court, we do not need to go in the lib appeasing direction....
Reagan won by the biggest landslides in US history BEING A CONSERVATIVE and reiterating the greatness of American and encouraging 'rugged individualism."
Liberalism is the culture of death and victimhood. It does not inspire people.
The return to solid principles is what we need.
And the former remark being made by a liberal dolt...is utterly laughable.
Posted by: Jane | January 30, 2009 11:34 AM
Wait who thinks Michael Steele is a moderate? Because that information is incorrect.
He's about one of the most conservative Republicans out there.
Posted by: Not Jim Moran | January 30, 2009 11:50 AM
McCain was not conservative and you witnessed the results. Go conservative. People will be so sick of the liberals now in congress they will want fiscal discipline and morals.
Posted by: Debbie | January 30, 2009 12:04 PM
Steele is against everything Obama and would be the best choice. He will probably be trashed by Liberals like Condi but I think he can handle it for he has done his share of arguing on tv. Duncan is not bad. I don't think the Republican party is dead. Rather I think the DNC is brainwashing people. Just my opinon. I hope they tear the DNC apart for the DNC is corrupt as proven by Blago and Geithner and Rangle.
Posted by: Alan | January 30, 2009 12:05 PM
Ditch the "religion." It's unconstitutional and impeachable.
Posted by: Anonymous | January 30, 2009 12:22 PM
Michael Steele would be the best spokesperson for the GOP. Throwing money at problems has never proven successful in the long run ( LBJ's War on Poverty is over 40 years old ).
Posted by: Nick Stellhorn | January 30, 2009 1:10 PM
Forget Duncan. You saw what happened when you picked Mc Cain for the last election. People want conservative values. I heard Blackwell is the most conservative. If that's true, he's the one.
Posted by: Bonnie M | January 30, 2009 1:14 PM
Forget Duncan. You saw what happened when you picked Mc Cain for the last election. People want conservative values. I heard Blackwell is the most conservative. If that's true, he's the one.
Posted by: Bonnie M | January 30, 2009 1:16 PM
I personally hope Republicans will develope a 'backbone' and take a strong stand for Conservative values. Elect people that embraces these values. We need to stop this insanity, lead us away from this socialist abyss and take back our Country.
Posted by: Lacera D | January 30, 2009 4:00 PM
Michael Steele
Chairman Republican National Committee
Our Family congratulates you on your new responsibility. We certainly find your views and personable demeanor a comfort, particularly necessary, for our party and the future of our country. We benefit from your right and proper justifications with vigilance toward ethics and the moral high ground.
Thank you for accepting a demanding and most important position.
Thanks Again
Mike & Maryann Allen
And Family
PS Count on our Family backing your opportunity for command
Posted by: You Yours | January 31, 2009 1:15 AM
Sehr gute Seite. Ich habe es zu den Favoriten.
Posted by: mietwagen | March 13, 2009 5:03 AM