Steele was selected as chairman of the RNC the year Barack Obama was elected president. Republicans were said to believe having a black man as chairman would shield them from being critical of the first black president. But Steele’s tenure was not without controversy, as he was panned early for oddly trying to infuse hip-hop into the GOP, for questions about his handling of party finances, and for what many in his own party called sophomoric and unfocused direction.
Until yesterday’s announcement, Steele had remained mum about his future plans, prompting some in the party to secretly wish he’d disappear. But if Steele wants a second go at being RNC chair it won’t be easy, as several other candidates have already lined up to replace him. Among his expected challengers are Wisconsin GOP chairman Reince Priebus, Michigan committeeman Saul Anuzis, former Missouri chairwoman Ann Wagner, former Bush administration official Maria Cino , and former RNC Political Director Gentry Collins.
I would really prefer he not seek another term as chairman. He has not been a good leader or representative for our party. Some of his ideas and financial mishandling's have been an absolute embarrassment. If I had my Druthers, I wish Haley Barbour could run the party again.Thank you, for doing this story DJ.
DJ:"Until yesterday's announcement, Steele had remained mum about his future plans, prompting some in the party to secretly wish he'd disappear."Secretly and NOT so secretly I'd say.IMO, the reason he remainded "mum" for so long is because he really hadn't made up his mind what he was going to do UNTIL his last minute announcement yesterday.I'm a registered "Independent" so I don't have dog in this fight. But putting Steel in that position to supposedly be a counter-weight to Pres. Obama was a cynical Repub ploy in the first place and it came back to bite them in the butt. The man has been an absolute disaster as the RNC Chairman! And his decision to seek re-election makes getting rid of him a bit harder for the GOP.Hi Beth 🙂 !