New RNC Chairman Priebus Fires 2012 Convention Committee
- Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:43am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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New RNC Chairman Reince Priebus didn’t wast time fulfilling one of his campaign promises this weekend: he fired the 2012 Republican convention planning committee after charges of mismanagement and nepotism surfaced.
On Sunday, Priebus asked for and received the resignation of Belinda Cook, who was working as the top RNC official organizing the convention set to take place in Tampa, FL.
“This is just the first step toward organizing a convention that all of us and our 2012 Republican Presidential nominee can be proud of,” Priebus said in an email to committee members and obtained by National Journal.
“There are some changes that need to be made to ensure a successful convention. Those changes start today,” he said. “I have discontinued the employment of the convention liaison and the employees of the Committee on Arrangements, effective immediately.”
According to the Journal, the convention has already cost the RNC $600,000, and the organizing committeee owes the RNC another $160,000. But it’s where that money was being spent that drew the ire of Priebus. The Tampa Tribune details the extravagant expenses and nepotism:
Cook has been paid a salary equivalent to about $180,000 a year by the Committee on Arrangements, plus a $25,000 consulting fee for July, according to Federal Election Commission records. FEC records also show her son and niece, and a college friend of her son, on the Committee on Arrangements payroll, plus more than $25,000 in payments to a consulting firm belonging to Cook’s sister.
The committee has also been paying $4,500 a month for Cook’s housing: an expansive waterfront home in Treasure Island.
The convention is still scheduled to take place in Tampa. Despite the allegations of mismanagement and spending more money than past conventions, Cook and other committee members have responded by saying that’s only because planning for the 2012 convention started much earlier than in years past.
That excuse apparently fell on deaf ears.
Former RNC head Michael Steele hired Cook after she served as his longtime personal assistant. But as her extravagant spending came to light recently, Priebus’s platform included a promise to fire her.
On Sunday, he fulfilled his promise.
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Comments (106)
GUT_CHECK
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:24amRON PAUL 2012
Report Post »the
TheBMT
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:32pmMaybe the GOP should take some notes from the Rally for the Republic held in 2008. I dare them.
Report Post »TheBMT
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 3:07pmSuch as having the convention funded by donations from the public and not a taxpayer expense.
Report Post »wkw58
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:03amHey, can that gavel get any bigger?
Report Post »Helldogger
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:56amWell, well. Good Start. We’ll be keeping our eye on this guy.
Report Post »treshall
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:53amMight we actually have a real man here?? It’s almost too good to be true- the guy got wise to Cook and broomed her- awesome! The RNC may finally be in good hands, thank God. :-)
Report Post »SlimnRanger
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:41amwell this is good news for a monday morning,glad to see it happening,sounds like this guy was the right choice
Report Post »Rob
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:31amSteele was elected by a scared bunch of RINO’s after a black president was elected…period. MORONS
Report Post »dizzyinthedark
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:43amPrez is ‘malato’ not ‘black’ let’s get this right.
Report Post »dizzyinthedark
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:09amYou are probably right about why the RNC hired Steele, which makes them morons, I agree. One should get the job because of their qualifications/experience not ‘color’, race or religion as most of America believes and because of this way of thinking has gotten us into much trouble.
It is because of this confused way of thinking the rest of America suffers because the majority of Americans had to satisfy their guilt of crimes they had nothing to do with, but were committed when the 1st slave traders came here. Crimes that most blacks can’t let go and continue to beat down our throats as if WE had something to do with.
P.S. The Prez is ‘malato’ not ‘black’. The black South Africans would call Barry ‘colored’.
Report Post »stonetampa
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:31amAm I the only person who thinks this guy looks like Pee Wee Herman? I mean if the name wasn’t enough, I keep waiting for “the laugh” to come out of this guy. What was the RNC thinking?
Report Post »not funny
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:02amHopefully, the day of voting for someone because of “image” is over. Save it for the movies.
Report Post »SHASTADIANE1
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:24amNever judge a book by it’s cover. Give the man a chance PLEASE! I was happy when Michael Steele was chosen, and prayed that he would be the answer, but I was sorely disappointed. Look at it this way, anyone with a name like that, has had to learn to fight for what he wanted his whole life. I would put it up against “A Boy Named Sue”. How do you do!! lol!
Report Post »WestOfThePecos
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:27amI say, let Sarah run in 2012 to scare the Democrats and inspire more conservative changes in Congress. If she wins Great! If she loses, Obama will finish himself off. Then, Jeb or Chris can run in 2016.
Report Post »Paul G
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:49amJeb? NOOO way. Christie? I know there’s a lot of his fans here…but, he‘s not all he’s cracked up to be. Just sayin’
Report Post »seemsew
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:22amA BIG NO FOR JEB BUSH!! I believe that the Bush family has had their chances and both Dad (No new taxes) and GW and his many programs and attempts to Get Along (No child left behind with Kennedy) and not fighting the Fannie/Freddie debaucle to its death which may have averted the “crisis” at the end of his term. NOOOO!! Another Bush we do not need. GW started out well, but Daddy, or Mommy, still hold the strings. Way too much spending and reaching across the aisle. From the recent comments made by Barb I‘m afraid they’re more RINO than Tea Party for sure.
Report Post »alrunner58
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:27amI never was a Michael Steele fan.
Report Post »zepmobob
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:27amLet the sun shine in!
Report Post »Rob
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:26amIs Cook black or white…?
Report Post »Pocono Countryboy
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:59amWho cares? A crook is a crook.
Report Post »jerry1945
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:40pmI just spent half an hour looking for a picture of belinda cook. Nothing to be found. How could a person this important have no picture anywhere.
Report Post »BehindBlueEyes
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:22amFish rot from the head down.
Report Post »Balladeer
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 3:23pmBeen screaming that for YEARS…ever since Fratboy Bush threw Conservatives and conservatism under the proverbial bus. We need to purge the GOP FIRST otherwise we work hard to defeat Socialism only to replace it with Socialism Lite
Report Post »newspapertaxis
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:10amIt is a start. Lets take our party back, to it’s roots.
Report Post »LibertarianLady
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:07amBout time the RNC did something postively noteworthy
Report Post »drbob1988
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:07amThis may encourage some of us to start donating again. Wait and see.
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 11:03amThey expect to collect a bunch. Maybe this time I can contribute and feel good about it. I’m so tired of my money going to corruption and nepotism and out & out fraud, I have lost the desire to contribute to anyone or anything. If you want my money, take care of the use of it and I can be more generous.
Report Post »cheyenne1028
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:49pmagreed. This past election I donated primarily to the SCF & TPP. This gentleman has gotten my attention.
Report Post »SecretPolice
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:06amYee, yes, and just for good measure Yes !!! Clear house of the rino’s ASAP wherever you find them.
Report Post »ThomasUSA
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:05amIf you’re not throwing out the dirt, you’re not really cleaning the house.
Report Post »emertz8413
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:55amWatch these weasels!!
Report Post »HappyStretchedThin
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:54amOff on the right foot, Priebus. Now let‘s see if you’ll support nominees even IF they are in the Tea Party movement.
Report Post »NikMar
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:53amNow if only we could get an elected official to keep their promises, we’d be in business…
Report Post »Sheepdog911
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:53amGood for him. If it wouldn’t be a distraction, I’d say go after them to refund the questionable expenses.
Report Post »doug68
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:26pmLets keep our focus . Defeat Obama and get 60+ in the senate.
Report Post »Colonial Revolutionary
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:53amI meant RINOs not RHINOs unless someone can come up with a fitting word for for the letter H.
xanthus24
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:02amRepublican Hacks In Name Only
Report Post »Colonial Revolutionary
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:06amI like it
Report Post »doug68
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:24pmHorn!
Report Post »cheyenne1028
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:46pmI don‘t know about an ’H’ yet, but I like RATS Republicans Against Tea Party Support(ers), or maybe ‘Alienating’ rather ‘Against’. I think either may work.
Report Post »I‘ll get back to you on the ’H’ later :)
Colonial Revolutionary
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:52amUnbelievable. How did she think she could get away with it. Where are the charges for embezzlement? Oh that‘s right the RHINO’s still take care of their own.
Report Post »Strictlybusiness
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:36amYea your right, BUT the Rhino ( Michael Steele ) is now O U T ! ! ! So NO more protection for this winch……
Report Post »V-Forge
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:51amHmmm. Interesting. Gonna be watching this one.
Report Post »Highland
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:55amIt’s encouraging.
Report Post »Creestof
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:13pmI’m wondering if she has relatives in government in Bellflower California?
Report Post »beebacksoon
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:51amThank GOD for Priebus’ actions!
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:54amWhen you find a rat, call an exterminator. I hope this is a wave of things to come.
Report Post »j_man
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:07am“There are those that talk the talk and those who walk the walk. Then there are those who don‘t talk because they’re to busy walken’ “- Anthony Anderson, Hustle and Flo
Report Post »Anarcho Capitalist
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:11amNow how are we going to hold a convention for Ron Paul?
Report Post »Independent Tess
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:19amWell, good for him!
Report Post »Perhaps things are looking up.
tifosa
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:34amHot tweet: Reince Priebus minus the vowels= RNC PR BS :)
48
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:44amGood for him. This is what we’re looking for.
Report Post »MR_ANDERSON
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:23amTIFOSA, that is good…even better if you actually came up with it yourself.
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:37amMrA: At least I credit, as opposed to many who repeat Beck et. al. meme’s WITHOUT crediting the source.
Report Post »912828Buckeye
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:40amThings are looking UP!
Report Post »Marcobob69
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 9:56amNow if we can get the rest of the party to show some “fiscal responsibility”, we just might get the country back to the status we used to enjoy as the No.1 country in the world!!! Go get ‘em, Reince!!!
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:03am@Grandmaof5
When you find a rat, it is easier to kill the rat first, and then call the exterminator to get rid of any and all other rats that may still be in existence. Corruption such as this now-fired committee did, shows why America is so fed up with all the ‘profesional political figures’ across the land.
Hopefully the beginning of changes are taking place. They will still have a hard sell to the voters to show and prove they are changing.
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:16amSee, we knew nothing about this fraud going on in the RNC. This woman took advantage of her position and thank goodness it came to light. Mr. Pribus has earned my respect from the get-go. I’m tired of these people in all walks of life, especially government, using the American people as a bank book for their personal use. Now, let’s get the others out, starting with Pelosi who has taken advantage also.
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:27amMy first instincts when I heard the new RNC chairman was: Who’s he? Well, got my answer. I‘m surprised Michael Steel didn’t see what his longtime personal assistant was doing. Now, I’m wondering if Steel was privy to Mrs. Cook’s tendency to rob the RNC? This goes on in all walks of life, but particularly in government where they have a better chance to skrew the public and get away with it. All you have to do is see how Sharpton and Jackson have been feeding at the trough off the backs of those supporting them all these years. My only answer is: God Knows, Jesus is watching
Report Post »ltb
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:27amI’m liking this guy already. He was responsible for getting one of the Tea Party candidates on the ballot in Wisconsin, so next to Sarah Palin as chair of the RNC, I‘d say we couldn’t do much better.
Report Post »pajamash
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 4:17pmIs this proof that vampires do exist? She sounds like she was sucking the life (money) out of the RNC.
Report Post »LadybugsTX
Posted on January 18, 2011 at 12:14amThis is great. Republicans policing themselves. Too bad we don’t see something simular on the other side. Apparently, you can lie, cheat and steal without reproach as long as there’s a (D) after your name.
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