Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus and his predecessor, former RNC Chair Michael Steele, leveled jabs at each other on Monday, aiming for each other's records on spending and electoral success.
Priebus punched first Monday morning during a press conference where he unveiled the RNC's Growth and Opportunity Project, an "autopsy" designed to chart a path forward for the party. During his appearance, Priebus took a moment to complain of the debt he'd inherited when he took over from Steele in 2011.
"Both credit cards of the RNC were suspended. This was before I walked in," Priebus claimed.
When asked if Steele had ruined the party's chances at success, Priebus did not answer directly, but insisted that "the numbers speak for themselves."
Watch Priebus' remarks:
Steele's time at the top of the RNC was marked by an embarrassing scandal, uncovered in 2010, surrounding RNC money being used on lavish hotel amenities and even a posh, bondage-themed night club.
But a fired up Steele appeared on MSNBC Monday afternoon, on the heels of Priebus' press conference to defend his record and accuse Priebus of failing to help Republicans win in 2012.
"I won and he didn't," Steele stated simply, referring to GOP victories that came under Steele's watch in gubernatorial elections in 2009 and during the 2010 midterm elections.
"Reince is just being silly, and I understand that," Steele prodded. He then went on to say that while the RNC might have had their fiscal house in order after 2012, they "had nothing to show for" it considering the GOP's significant losses in November.
Watch Steele's remarks above.
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