Michael Steele Drops out of RNC Chairman Race
- Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:44pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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UPDATE III:
OXON HILL, Md. (The Blaze/AP) — GOP Chairman Michael Steele has dropped his re-election bid after falling behind in balloting for the leadership of the Republican National Committee.
He asked his backers to give their votes to GOP operative Maria Cino.
“At this time I will step aside for others to lead,” he told members. “I think the party is ready for something different.”
Despite sluggish popularity, Steel took time to defend his tenure. “Despite the difficulties, we won,” he added.
“Barack Obama’s agenda is not good for America. We fired Pelosi. Let’s take the Senate, let’s take the White House. Let’s heal America,” he said. “Thank you for the opportunity to serve and to lead and now I exit stage right.”
Steele got a standing ovation after his announcement following a rocky two-year tenure that saw Republicans notch huge victories last fall.
After four rounds of voting, Reince Priebus (Ryns Pree’-bus) was leading, having gained ground on Steele during each of the first three rounds. Cino, Ann Wagner and Saul Anuzis also were competing.
This is a breaking update. The Blaze’s earlier story and updates are below.
UPDATE II:
GOP Chairman Michael Steele is losing even more ground after the third round of balloting for the leadership of the Republican National Committee.
Top challenger, Reince Priebus (Ryns Pree’-bus) lengthened his lead by two; the Wisconsin Republican Party chairman got 54 votes. Steele lost four votes, putting him at 33. Ann Wagner inched up to 32, while Maria Cino and Saul Anuzis trailed.
UPDATE:
Michael Steele trailed a challenger after two rounds of voting Friday as the Republican National Committee chose who should lead the party in the run-up to the 2012 presidential campaign.
Steele, who surprised even his closest aides by seeking re-election, came in second in the committee’s first two rounds of voting and was losing ground to leader Reince Priebus, the Wisconsin Republican Party chairman.
Fox is reporting that Steele is currently meeting with one challenger behind closed doors, possibly in a attempt to get that person to drop out and endorse him.
Original story below.
OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — Embattled GOP Chairman Michael Steele survived the first round of voting Friday as he fought to hang onto his post leading the Republican National Committee.
Four challengers argued that they would be better stewards of the party heading into the 2012 elections, when defeating President Barack Obama will be the GOP’s primary objective.
Steele, who surprised even his closest aides by seeking re-election, came in second in the committee’s first round of voting, getting 44 votes to 45 for Reince Priebus, the Wisconsin Republican Party chairman. Maria Cino, a New York native and a veteran party operative who served in the Bush administration, got 32, followed by Saul Anuzis, a former chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, with 24, and Ann Wagner, a former Missouri state GOP chair who once was an ambassador under George W. Bush, with 23.
No one has dropped out of the race so far.
Ballots are being cast by 168 committee members. Eighty-five votes are needed for victory. Several rounds of votes are expected.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Comments (121)
Juan Gault
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:08pmAs I sent,an update confirmed my post. Steel just removed his name from consideration.
Report Post »Juan Gault
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:06pmThree rounds of votes, suggests it is time for Steel to recuse himself.
It is time to move on.
He had his moment.
Report Post »inexiletill2012
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:01pmThe tea party members won the last election….NOT Michael Steele
And dont forget it Michael !
Report Post »inexiletill2012
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:03pmJust heard he dropped out……….nevermind
Report Post »ThoreauHD
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:00pmReince Priebus sounds like some Roman political assassin. That is a seriously Romanic name. You would think that somebody would have had a clue he existed before today. Does anyone know who this monkey is? If he wasn’t at the Tea Parties, and he wasn’t, he a RINO dbag and he needs to go blow himself like Steele.
These Republicans are seriously screwed up aren’t they. I guess there’s just one this left to do now. Destroy them from the inside. Just like before.
Report Post »338lapua
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 5:03pmHe is our chairman from Wisconsin, he has been our exterminator here (of rino’s) for a while now. With his candidates we now have the governor, the legislature and the senate…..we would really like to keep him. But nationally, if you want to see some serious rino slashing, go with Reince.
Report Post »Tagudinian
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:51pmMichael Steele, it is time to hang up the cleats buddy. Let the others try it. 2012 is a very important year. Obama needs to go down.
Report Post »Rank
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:38pmWhy even have the DNC or the RNC? They create more problems than they solve. They are not concerned about what is best for this nation…. it is all about party. Look how well the tea party did by searching out the right candidate, with the right values, rather than simply focusing on MONEY! I truly believe both the DNC and RNC have outlived their value, kind of like unions!
Report Post »starboard
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:34pmWhen this man was Lt. Governor of Maryland he disappeared, did nothing, nada, zilch, I maybe remember him opening an old-folks home once. And as head of the GOP he didn’t do much more. This man was to be our shinning star, our difference maker, an answer to raciest label placed on conservatives. A do nothing cover your own a$$ POL, seems to be a lot of that going around these days.
SgtHenick
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:31pmjezus… never underestimate the power of Republicans to make the most idiotic decisions when the stakes are most in their favor…. COME ONE PEOPLE!!!……be prepared and buy silver!
Report Post »SheriS
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:22pmEach year I used to send money to the RNC but after watching how little the RNC was doing to support the “right kind” of candidates, I said never again–McCain was a terrible candidate and we got stuck with Obama because of that! Heck, I‘ve read a lot of the RHINO’s voted for Obama instead of McCain! Change was a must as Steele is a very personable man, he did little to help the party when we needed it most! I’ve also read that most of the money raised in the most recent election came from the candidates own work and not the Repub party–good for them!
Report Post »DeVain
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:16pmI haven’t heard of any of them, but Michael Steele. I guess that is a good thing because he is the only one with a name I can pronounce!!
Report Post »When will the GOP realize we are tired of RINO’s and want true, honest, 110% conservatives who are willing to stand up for their beliefs?
Rank
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:13pmWhoever is elected had best take a vary hard stance against RINOs. Otherwise, the Republicans might just as well fold their tents. I was once an active member of the RNC, and after several requests that they stop funding RINOs… and not one RINO’s funding was cut, I quit! I now support the candidates, I would like elected, directly.
Report Post »BacktotheFounders
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:12pmWho cares? He served the RINOs. Are his opponents any better? Never, never send money to the RNC.
Report Post »RickWS
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:10pmSteele loses 77 to 67 head to head…
Report Post »Enuff Zenuff
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:09pmWhen-o-when will the Republican leadership differentiate themselves from the Progressives by actually reducing the overall size of government? Anything else is indistinguishable from tyranny.
Report Post »SilentReader
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:09pmInteresting. I don’t know this guy. I’m looking at his website right now!
http://reinceforrnc.com/
Report Post »Lantern
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:38pmStrange name, but he sounds ok on his website. Fiscal conservative.
Report Post »john bonham
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:30pm@SILENTREADER.. I hear he’s good with money since it runs in the family.. His uncle is E. pluribus unum…. I couldn’t help it….. :)
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:47pmThanks for the link…it is interesting, will look up more later.
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:05pmIs this light at the end of the tunnel or is it an oncoming train? Let’s hope the conservatives reclaim the GOP.
Report Post »ltb
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:04pmYou can tell Steele is a RINO by the fact he has no class. If he were a true Conservative, he wouldn’t be so self-serving and would step down to do what is in the Republican Party’s best interests. It wouldn’t surprise me if he goes over to the Democrats after he loses.
Report Post »ozzie03
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:09pmI agree it wouldn`t shock me one bit
Report Post »v.o.t.e.
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:03pmwe won in spite of this knuklehead
Report Post »P C BE DAMNED
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:01pmHe is one of the old generation good ole boys. He needs to go as we need good men not Communists sympatheisers.
Report Post »How do you tell a communist? Well, it’s someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It’s someone who understands Marx and Lenin.
RONALD REAGAN
DashRipRock
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:09pmSorry but,
A Communist is an economics expert
Report Post »who has never studied economics.
Elrik68
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:00pmOMG… Who are these committe members?
Report Post »ozzie03
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:03pmwimps and idiots , these days it seems to be the republican way
Report Post »ozzie03
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:58pmHe got the job because of his skin color , same as obama , he was never qualified and personaly I think he was nothing but wimp anyway
Report Post »ME
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:15pmYou are right, seems color of skin and not Character are the only reason ether one got the job. And you must love the sense of entitlement they bring to the field.
Report Post »Wdawg
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:32pmaffirmative action strikes in the gop
Report Post »Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:57pmI like Michael Steele. If he does not retain his position here, i look forward to him in another capacity in DC… “harry will love it — Steele is a “well spoken black man (something of an anomaly in Harry’s World apparently)”
Report Post »CYCLONE
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:07pmwho cares if he is black… he’s a goddamned RINO… kick his a$$ OUT ON THE STREET…
…and SCREW Ghandi too !!!!
Report Post »ozzie03
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:11pmbut can he switch over to the ghetto jive if needed?
Report Post »ozzie03
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:14pmcyclone ………..your awesome
Report Post »Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:19pmI don’t know, but he can fist bump better than the obowma..
Lantern
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:50pmRound 2, coming up.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:34pmAnd then round three, round four and round five…unto space and beyond!!!
Report Post »dwh320
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:49pmStep up and step down Mr. Steele.
Report Post »ceili
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:37pmI was suprised when he decided to run again, I don’t think anyone thought he could win. Includind him.
Report Post »bbquizzle
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:49pmHow??
Report Post »DashRipRock
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:05pmFirst round?
Report Post »what is this crap?
CYCLONE
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:09pmBeats the **** out of me too…I’m still not donating to these liberal a$$munchers until he is GONE !!!
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:11pmI have to as the same question Colbert did.
What is a Reince Priebus?
Where’s this guy from and is he Conservative enough to lead the RNC? Given his NAACP past, I think I smell a rat.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:13pmhttp://biggovernment.com/driehl/2010/12/21/is-reince-priebus-eminent-domain-liberalism/
Report Post »encinom
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:19pmI wonder if Ronald “He Signed the Original START Treaty” Reagan would be conservative enough for the tea-baggers?
I know Jesus is a socialist, his Sermon on the Mount proved it, his demands that you feed and cloth the less fortunate, pure marxist.
snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:19pmHere we go once more around the merry-go-round…and again..and again…and again…
Keep the pressure up on them for honest change; remind them 2012 is not that far off.
Report Post »happyboy
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:22pmTHE GOP IS NOT GOING TO FIRE A BLACK MAN.
This is why McCain choose Steele. The position of RNC chairmen will have to always be Black.
ceili
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:25pmI wish Sarah Palin would show some interest in the position. She would be great.
Report Post »Untameable Kate
snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:34pm@Ceili – Untamable
Just seen the posting of an imposter going after you and regan.disciple; same thing happened to me a couple of weeks ago, and is happening to others. It sounds like someone could (theory only right now) have hacked the system or such, and is trying to stir up trouble.
Will keep an eye out for anything else on the nutcase; just keep reporting each of the false postings to the Blaze editors, and hopefully something can be done.
godlovinmom
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:36pmdo you mean untameable kate as RNC chair…because I think thats a good idea…seems like a tough lady :0) is there some place WE go to vote for this position as republicans…because I for one would like to get in on that
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:43pmHope steele is going out to retirement shortly.
Report Post »Thumbs Up
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:04pmSteele just dropped out ofter the 3 vote!!!!
Report Post »APatriotFirst
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:11pmSo we have a rino replaced by a liberal. Yepper, gotta love the Repubs.
Report Post »ceili
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:17pmThanks godlovinmom, but no I wasn’t suggesting myself for chair. Someone hacked me and took my screen name and has been making a fool of him/herself on a couple stories. See the story about the permit required to feed homeless people is you want an example.
Report Post »Untameable Kate.
Buck_Ofama
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:18pmHAPPYBOY: Who cares what color he is? Question is can he lead the RNC and help the party gain CONSERVATIVE seats in House and Senate. All else is BS.
In any other year, the way Steele handled various issues, the GOP would have not done well, IMO.
So, bag the guy who okayed a binge at an LA “Bondage-themed Night Club” whatever the hell that is.
Bye, Bye Mike. Don’t let the door hit ya in the a** on the way out.
Report Post »dwh320
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:20pmCino is the “Old Boys” candidate. She will set back the GOP for 10 years if they put her in charge. They will lose the Tea arty member in mass and force the creation of a third major political party.
Report Post »john bonham
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:20pmI always thought that Sarah Palin would be best at that position with all the money raising that she would be magnificent at.. But then again, I would like to see her topple the Messiah..
Report Post »avenger
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:24pmtime to stop with this token black nonsense…this guy was worthless…
Lantern
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:30pmMaria Cino looks like Janet Napolitano’s little sister. She has served on the board of directors for a pro-abortion group Wish List and made personal donations to their pro-abortion PAC,
Report Post »338lapua
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:52pm@leftfighter, He is from Wisconsin, our chairman. He turned around the most fffff’d up Republican party, and now in one election we got the gov, the legislature and the senate….trifecta! We would rather keep him….but the national party needs him so much more. With Reince in there you will see a RNC you will WANT to give money to.
Report Post »CanadianMan
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 5:06pmA cleaning of the house wouldn’t be a bad thing… hope who ever is selected does a good job for party and country.
Report Post »PA PATRIOT
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 5:12pmThe 2005 committee spent $1.35 million on lodging, compared with $1.5 million last year. The locations also improved. There were overnights at Ritz-Carlton hotels in Chicago, Denver, Marina del Rey, Westchester and Boston. The committee dropped $8,000 for two stays at Hotel Vitale, which boasts panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay.
Oh there is plenty more…..
URGENT – More Debt Woes for RNC
By: Jake Gibson
(Washington) The Republican National Committee has disclosed through amended filings with the Federal Election Commission yet another $4 million in debt. This is piled on top of the $7 million in debts revealed last summer and brings the committee’s estimated total of debt to more than $20 million.
VERY IRRESPONSIBLE !
Report Post »watchmany2k
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 5:22pmIn looking back over his tenure, I think he did a good job, while not far right, he was a political answer to Obama, his being Black was an advantage not that it should matter at all, but I did diffuse the lefts ability to throw even more racial bombs. Further the man had the dignity to toss his hat in the ring again, and bow out gracefully. I too would like to hear more from him, unencumbered with position.
Report Post »Ha, I am an registered independent, so their candidates STILL need to pass CONSTITUTIONAL muster
happyboy
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 5:44pmSTEELE RESPONSIBLE FOR O‘DONNEL LOOSING IN DELAWARE AND REED’s WIN.
Steele withheld campaign funding from GOP candidates that prevented GOP from gaining control of the US Senate. While the GOP needed help, Steele was on his Stop Pelosi bus somewhere out in the Northwest when the battle was going on in Washington and the Northeast. Watch Steele switch to Deomcrat now that he has been fired. Good riddence Mike and turn in your keys to the men’s room.
Report Post »happyboy
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 5:45pmI will now begin contributing money to the RNC.
Report Post »happyboy
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 5:48pmSTEELE WAS THE BUTT HOLE WHO AFTER THE 2008 McCAIN DEFEAT SAID THAT IT WOULD TAKE THE GOP TEN YEARS TO RECOVER.
He hoped it would but we did no thanks to Steele.
Report Post »happyboy
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 5:49pmHOW MANY BLACKS DID STEELE BRING INTO THE PARTY? ZERO.
Steele must have been a Democrat plant.
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 5:51pmCeili/Kate…eeek…see what you mean…still think you would be great at the job…no nonsense gal…conservative women rock!!!!
Report Post »Untameable-kate
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 6:18pmThanks, I’ve decided to go back to my original name and not let the troll take it. I‘ll just continue to report him and hope the Blaze fixes it so he can’t do it anymore. Just please remember that if you see a post that sounds like a six year old wrote it, it is the troll, not me.
Report Post »Tyr
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 7:16pmEncinom
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:19pm
You athiest, Marxist POS. You know nothing! You maniac!
When Glenn Beck issued his “Challege” this week, I SAID NO THANK-YOU Glenn, I know what evil looks like, and how it behaves and I’ll be damned if I will back down to a bunch of scum!! So I offered this pledge instead!
Report Post »- I denounce destruction of my country, my way of life, the Constitution, common sense and moral values regardless of ideological motivation.
- I denounce anyone, from the Left, the Right or middle, who do not believe that physical violence could be necessary to save my country from those that want to destroy it from within.
- I denounce those who wish to tear down our system and rebuild it. Especially those that want to impose Socialist/Marxist or any un-Constitutional policies upon the United States of America.
- I denounce those from the Left, the Right or middle, who call for riots and violence, but vow to assist the police and military in putting down any riot that extoles an overthrow of our Constitution, Republic, liberty, or way of life.
- I denounce violent threats and calls for the destruction of our system from any Socialist/Marxist or Communist person, group, or puppet organization that wants to destroys my country, take my freedom and disrupt my way of life as a citizen of the United States which is protected by the Constitution and Bill of Rights, regard less of religion, race, color, creed, or immigration status.
- I hold responsible for the violence, and for any counter-violence that may occur, those that have openly admitted to wanting to fundamentally transform my country, through violence if necessary. I denounce those who attempt to appease, negotiate with or endorse any enemies of the Constitution of the United States.
- I denounce those from the Left, the Right or middle that do not understand or recognize tyranny or the intent of the founding fathers when writing the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution or the Bill of Rights.
dontknowanymore
Posted on January 14, 2011 at 7:34pm@godlovinmoma,
You vote for delegates to go to nationals @ your state convention. The delegates vote on this. Our state it’s our Chair and a state commiteeman and commiteewoman. I’m not sure if this is the same everywhere.
Report Post »Jackers
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:29amTalk about hanging on till the very last second… Amazing how these political types will “cling” to their power till the “bitter” end…
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:21pmdontknowanymore..thanks…I googled it because I was interested like I said…kate…your funny!…
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on January 16, 2011 at 5:24pmThe hot tweet: Reince Priebus minus the vowels= RNC PR BS—interesting huh?
Report Post »