Earlier today, Connecticut GOP chief Chris Healy sent an e-mail to members of the Republican National Committee warning them that Wisconsin GOP head Reince Priebus is unfit to take the helm from current chairman Michael Steele. Priebus, the former general counsel to the RNC, has more declared supporters than any other candidate, but Healy associates him with Steele’s failed leadership. For his part, Healy is supporting Gentry Collins, the former political director of the RNC, who Healy believes made the best of a bad situation — a distinction he does not extend to Priebus. From Healy’s e-mail:
When Steele made several inane comments about Russ Limbaugh, the double-standard he was held to because of his race or the war in Afghanistan, Preibus was put in charge of damage control, often asking members to sign letters of support. I received two calls from Reince asking for such support. There was no doubt about his loyalty to Steele and his eagerness to show other members he was speaking for the chairman.
When the Executive Committee borrowed another $5 million in late fall, without seeking approval from the Budget Committee, Members were informed the matter was “approved by legal.” And when Steele announced the “Fire Pelosi Tour” a self-indulgent waste of time and resources, Peibus was tossing “Fire Pelosi” hats to anyone who would have them. As we know, the tour was a joke and RNC subsidized “Feel the Love Tour” for Chairman Steele and his sycophant followers. Those precious funds could have been the difference in several key races, where victory was painfully elusive.
Preibus enjoyed sharing his access with Steele and published photos on his Facebook page showing him and Chairman Steele in many VIP settings, including private jets. During this period of course, the RNC failed to meet its fundraising goals, failed to reach out and meet with major donors or help state committees raise their own resources. . . .
I am supporting Gentry Collins because he comes to the job with experience, knowledge and credibility. He handled his job under difficult circumstances and saw it through before opting to run for it himself. Some have questioned his loyalty, but if anything, Gentry showed he was true to the Members and the activists by sorting out conflicting information and unmet commitments from Steele and his inner circle.