I’m not sure whether this is a scoop for Politico or they’re just guessing: “On a 7:30 p.m. conference call, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele is expected to announce he won’t seek reelection when the committee picks a new chairman at its winter meeting next month. Friends warn that you never know with Steele, but confide that he has sent them the clear signal he’s dropping out. That’s based in part on the erosion, in the last week, of votes he had been counting on.”
They continue, “With Steele’s likely departure, NORM COLEMAN – former U.S. senator from Minnesota, and now chairman of American Action Network and Forum, a key outside GOP group – is now “leaning towards running, based on his ability to raise money and act as a national surrogate,” per a close source. Coleman’s big push will be fundraising: “I was the best fundraiser of all the Senate candidates.” However, committee insiders say Coleman was hurt by the leaked news that he had promised Steele he wouldn’t run against him. Many in the GOP are agitating for change, not clubbiness.”
If Steele does decide to not run for another term, his absence from a recent candidate debate makes more sense and doesn’t appear to be a mistake.
UPDATE: There is now word from RNC members that Steele is indeed running for another term.
But how many RNC members will be itching to see another two years of his leadership?