Embattled RNC chairman Michael Steele is expected to decline to seek a second term at the helm of the Republican party, according to a report from Fox News:
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele is expected to announce he will drop out of the highly contested race to keep his post, multiple RNC sources told FoxNews.com on Sunday.Fox News has confirmed Steele sent an e-mail to committee members Saturday night with the subject line, “conference call.”In the note, he asked members to join him “for a private conference call” Monday evening.
The fact that Steele has not invested in any sort of infrastructure to support a reelection campaign is certainly curious:
A new chairman will be elected next month during the committee’s winter meeting.
Steele, a former Maryland lieutenant governor, has built no known reelection team or structure, making the prospect of a campaign unlikely in the face of competition that grows fiercer by the day. But allies said Steele has not revealed his plans, and the chairman has been nothing if not unpredictable.
Republicans reaped heavy publicity in January 2009 when they chose Steele as the party’s first African-American chairman, but he has proven to be a poor fundraiser and gaffe-prone messenger.
Steele, a former Maryland lieutenant governor, has built no known reelection team or structure, making the prospect of a campaign unlikely in the face of competition that grows fiercer by the day. But allies said Steele has not revealed his plans, and the chairman has been nothing if not unpredictable.
Republicans reaped heavy publicity in January 2009 when they chose Steele as the party’s first African-American chairman, but he has proven to be a poor fundraiser and gaffe-prone messenger.
Things are a bit unclear, however. Chris Cillizza at the Washington Post says a source who had spoken to Steele tells him that the Marylander will indeed run for a second term.
Update: FNC has walked back its earlier report and now says that sources say Steele will run for reelection.
