Thomas Schultz, 22, Starts Online Petition Against Michael Steele

Brigham Young student Thomas Schultz is on a mission to change the Republican National Committee from the top down. The 22-year-old has started an online petition called Replace Michael Steele in hopes to, well, replace the committee's chair, reports Talking Points Memo.

Schultz told TPM that he was prompted to action by the Nov. 16 resignation of RNC political director Gentry Collins, who cited Steele's poor relationship with donors and mismanagement of funds as his reasons for leaving the Committee.

Schultz hopes that the petition will encourage young Republicans to voice opposition to Steele, and that this popular initiative will influence RNC voters. The petition statement is as follows:

As Republicans, we have lost all confidence in Michael Steele and are committed to stopping his re-election as chairman of the Republican National Committee. In order to elect a Republican President and Senate, and retain control of the House in 2012, we need an effective leader who can guide the party and fix the tarnished reputation of the RNC. For these reasons, we urge all 168 voting members of the RNC to vote against Michael Steele in January.

According to TPM, if Schultz is successful in mobilizing young GOPers he will compromise Steele's self-identification as a grassroots politician -- especially as Steele's support amongst the Republican Governor's Association wanes.

What do you think of Schultz's campaign against the Steele? Tell us in the comments section.

An earlier version of this article misspelled Schultz's name. The error has been corrected.