Hey, anyone interested in how Michael Steele is doing? If so, I'm glad you asked! Yesterday, Steele sat down with NPR's Michel Martin to talk about what comes next for the seemingly permanently-embattled RNC Chair, and found Steele on a "victory lap" and talking about "vindication."
Coming off last week's highly successful midterm elections for Republicans, Steele clearly feels he has earned some bragging rights and intends to use them.
Speaking to NPR's Michel Martin on Tell Me More Monday, Steele claimed that much of the success seen last week and before can be traced to his RNC stewardship.
Hey, that sounds good, so long as Steele's view of his self-worth doesn't run contrary to much of what's been reported about the prevailing thinking within the Republican Party.
It's a view that runs contrary to much of what's been reported about the prevailing thinking within the Republican Party. Since he became chairman in early 2009, Steele has more often than not been described as more of the party's problem than solution.
Indeed, because of questions about his RNC leadership style, many Republicans, led by Bush political advisor Karl Rove and others created new channels to raise and spend money for their party and candidates.
See also: lesbian-themed bondage club nights, obviously. And, right on time, here's the view from the other side in today's "The Fix" blog:
There is an effort underway among prominent Republican National Committee members to recruit a serious alternative to Chairman Michael Steele if and when he decides to stand for a second term early next year, according to sources familiar with the conversations.
The good news for Steele is that any serious effort to replace him at the RNC's helm is met by a countering wave of bona fide support. Chris Cillizza reports that Steele's "most ardent opponents acknowledge that he is held in higher regard by the 168 RNC members than he is by the general GOP political class," and that regard shows up in some important numbers -- the "general consensus" is that Steele commands between "50 to 60 solid votes" of the 85 he'd need to win a second term.
Steele allies argue that the ["Fire Pelosi"] bus tour coupled with the party's gains at the ballot box have strengthened his hand and the fact that no serious alternative has yet emerged is also working to his advantage.
See also: lesbian-themed bondage club nights, obviously.
RELATED:
RNC's Michael Steele Takes Victory Lap [NPR]
Republicans attempt to recruit alternative to Michael Steele [The Fix @ WaPo]
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