I had initially thought that the RNC sources complaining to the Washington Times about the salaries of new staffers under Michael Steele were engaging in typical carping and office politics, but some of the numbers are pretty eye-opening: “[Belinda] Cook, Mr. Steele’s personal assistant, earned $7,134.66 for the month, after withholding for federal and state taxes, which would amount to $85,615.92 over 12 months. The person who held the same post under Mr. Duncan took home $2,436.74 monthly, or $29,240.88 over 12 months, FEC reports showed.”