Michael Steele Bondage-Gate FALLOUT: RNC Taking Heat After Topless Club Scandal

Almost immediately after the news broke this week about the Republican National Committee's "Bondage-Gate," scandal, the fallout began. And it hasn't been good for either the RNC or its embattled chairman, Michael Steele.

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum said he was "disgusted" by the incident in which the RNC expensed a nearly $2,000 bill for a risque Los Angeles nightclub. Meanwhile, other GOP figures, such as Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) and former Bush adviser Karl Rove seemed similarly troubled by the RNC's apparent reckless spending.

Steele has been no stranger to criticism. A recent National Journal poll of political insiders found that a large majority of GOP politicos considered Michael Steele a "liability."

A look at some of the recent fallout:

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Palin Wants Off Of RNC Invitation

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Sarah Palin asked the RNC for a second time Wednesday to take her name off an invitation to a New Orleans fundraiser, Politico reports. The invitation includes Palin as an "invited speaker" to the event, but the former Alaska Governor has no plans to take part in the RNC fundraiser. From Politico:

The RNC invitation touts Palin along with other SRLC speakers, including Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Fox News host Sean Hannity, Rep. Mike Pence and former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), as “invited speakers” for the event.

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Sarah Palin asked the RNC for a second time Wednesday to take her name off an invitation to a New Orleans fundraiser, Politico reports.

The invitation includes Palin as an "invited speaker" to the event, but the former Alaska Governor has no plans to take part in the RNC fundraiser.

From Politico:

The RNC invitation touts Palin along with other SRLC speakers, including Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Fox News host Sean Hannity, Rep. Mike Pence and former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), as “invited speakers” for the event.

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Comments

[RogHol]

01:47 AM on 04/03/2010

Well, isn't this GOP hypocritical righteousness in full speed?

[jemiltd]

10:25 PM on 04/02/2010

Sarah asked to have her name taken off because of Steele or because they weren't providing a fee and expenses? I thought she didn't play unless they paid?

[desertdweller]

08:21 PM on 04/02/2010

Sarah wanted her name taken off the fundraiser list and put on the VIP list for Voyeur.

[ProudMilVet]

08:19 PM on 04/02/2010

And this is the Party that believes it can Lead America. GOOD GOD !

[amaboss52]

07:23 PM on 04/02/2010

I demand they take Palins name off off all headlines, interviews, nonsense news, any and all pubic media where she can spew her bs.

[MeMyselfI]

08:03 PM on 04/02/2010

PREACH IT BROTHER! (SISTER?) You have a new fan in this girl. I really have to fight the desire to not talk raw evil about this woman. She has touched a place in me that hasn't seen the light of day since the 8th grade and a bully w/the intials CS made my life heck lol.

I desparately dislike Sarah Palin.

[amaboss52]

11:09 AM on 04/03/2010

Sister and i agree, this woman is an empty shell, whos lifes total is how much money and things she can get. Shes a lousy mother, a know nothing politician, whos only accomplishment is fancy pageant walking.

[bettestreep]

07:22 PM on 04/02/2010

No doubt Fox will wish Sarah all the best in her fledgling media career???

[SDindependent]

05:09 PM on 04/02/2010

Of course she is ticked off, Steele should have been on his knees paying homage to the real leather Queen instead of paying money to those Hollywood fakes.

[rgateman]

04:53 PM on 04/02/2010

New Star Trek Movie: Republican Intelligence (the shortest sequel ever)

Opening scene - Mr. Spock is doing a double Vulcan mind meld with Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachman to determine what the Republican leadership is actually all about! Suddenly the screen goes dark as all three are sucked into a vortex and teleported to the vacuum of a distant galaxy far far far far far away.

The End

Voice over closing credits Dr. Leonard McCoy, ’They’re dead Jim’.

[Skiwee]

03:30 PM on 04/02/2010

Here's a thought..........Could Palin be thinking of breaking away from the GOP and starting her own party? You know, get the teabaggers on board (most already are) and then recruit more followers.

She's egotistical enough to believe she can pull it off!

[2876]

03:28 PM on 04/02/2010

And if the RNC offer Palin another $150,000 makeover, she'll be back on the fundraising list

[PopeRatzo]

02:28 PM on 04/02/2010

Look carefully at the photograph of Palin on the front page that links to this story. Look closely at the eyes and around the mouth.

My grandmother used to say you can see everything you need to know about a person's character from their face. There's something seriously bad going on behind those eyes, and a calculated cruelty around the mouth.

How she got a reputation as being attractive is a complete mystery.

[RogHol]

06:32 PM on 04/02/2010

Well, what did she call herself when she was young and not so beautiful: Sara Barracuda

[rosiebond007]

02:14 PM on 04/02/2010

While campaigning for John McC last week - SP said that the RNC and the teabaggers were interwoven - all part of the same group that she supports.

Oh yes .... hard to get out of that one now ....

SP in her leathers - what a wonderful coincidence !!!

[Skiwee]

02:11 PM on 04/02/2010

Are they imploding?

[mapmaker515]

01:18 PM on 04/02/2010

Fox to Palin: "And to think we were going use an eight year old interview with him for Real American Stories. Good luck to Mr Steele and his fledgling chairmanship career".

[PinkOne]

12:06 PM on 04/02/2010

it's offical ... Sarah Palin wants her name off GOP fundraising materials .... Sarah is starting her own Radical Right Wing Teabagger Party ... Bye-bye Sarah .. I think you will look great in ORANGE!

[Alexandra08]

04:58 PM on 04/02/2010

Well you know what they say: When the going get's tough, the rats leave the ship. (OK so that's two different sayings, but you have to admit -- it fits Sarah Palin to a T.)