Steele Already Targeted For Blame Should GOP Stumble In 2010

[DearAbby]

News that the Republican National Committee had just over $5 million cash on hand for the stretch run of the 2010 elections has sparked operatives in the party to start pinning blame for a potentially underwhelming outcome on Chairman Michael Steele.

There was little doubt that the RNC was struggling to recruit donors. For months now, the storyline following Steele is that his occasionally embarrassing histrionics were turning off traditional sources of funds. But Friday evening's filing produced what one operative described as a "sobering" moment. It also intensified the private -- though increasingly public -- blame game aimed at making sure Steele is the one to take the fall should things go wrong. In an election in which the Republican Party stand to make massive gains, the refrain goes, depleted coffers at the RNC could conceivably end up keeping Congress in Democratic hands.

"The bottom line is the chairman of the party has two functions. First and foremost is to raise money and secondly is to drive a message. hasn't done either," said longtime GOP hand Ed Rollins, who ran Ronald Reagan's first presidential campaign. "At the end of the day if we come up short in some of these races, Steele is going to get the blame... obviously as the party chairman he needs to put the money into races and these state parties and he doesn't have it."


More at Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/23/steele-already-being-targ_n_691498.html

[mike r]

1. Steele is the best RNC chairman ever!

Idiots.

[Gman]

2. They're realizing they peaked too soon

and they need a scapegoat. This is good news. Peaking like the summer a year before a General Election is not real good politics. The GOP's gains (there will be some) will not be near as bad as many fear.

[DearAbby]

3. Watched Rachel's piece about the media's

anti incumbent rage story. Like the media is trying to beat a dead horse. I don't see the predicted bloodbath. Looking at the individual races, GOP could pick up a few seats, I doubt congress (Senate or the house) will change hands.