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Blackwell Drops RNC Bid, Endorses Steele
Ken Blackwell, who has been in last place in all four ballots that have been held so far in the RNC chair race, has just withdrawn his candidacy -- and he's endorsed Michael Steele.
Blackwell had the support of many movement conservative activists and bloggers, but it just wasn't meant to be.
Blackwell won 15 votes on the fourth ballot, compared to 62 for Katon Dawson, 60 for Steele, and 31 for Saul Anuzis. If Blackwell's supporters were to all go to Steele, that would put the former Maryland Lt. Governor at 75 votes, just ten shy of the 85 needed to win.
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Blackwell held 15 though rounds three and four, so they were pretty staunch in their support. That tells me that they'll move en masse to Steele.
Anuzis will fold after the next round and endorse Steele as well. And the storyline will be "The New Republican Party - GOP chooses African American over whites-only country club member"
January 30, 2009 3:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was going to be my question, where the Azunis votes go. You sure?
January 30, 2009 3:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
From a link on the front page -
January 30, 2009 3:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yup, that should seal the deal.
January 30, 2009 3:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great headline. If Steele takes it, how moderate will the Republican party go? A more moderate Rep would probably be bad for the Dems, but would mean we'll have more progressive candidates (relatively) even in Republican strongholds in my way of thinking.
January 30, 2009 3:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good question. It's pretty clear that a solid chunk of the R party, albeit probably a minority, is flat-out racist. So, one has to ask how effectively can Steele actually lead the R party? How much infighting will take place? How long will he, or they, last? I'm not enough of an insider to make any predictions, other than to say things could get pretty interesting.
January 30, 2009 3:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
They'll probably see Steele as an useful pawn to attack Obama.
January 30, 2009 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
He'll definitely be front and center all over the infotainment programs. And all GOP politicians can now say they have a black friend...
January 30, 2009 3:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Of course that's part of his attraction.
But, in terms of answering the question of how Steele's leadership might actually change the R party, you're saying it's only cosmetic and he won't have real power, right?
But, what if Steele, and the majority that supported him, aren't willing to be puppets for the minority?
January 30, 2009 3:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Steele is NOT moderate. He's less strident and nasty than Blackwell but just as NUTZ.
January 30, 2009 3:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll defer to you because I don't know much on any of these guys, however redstaters call the guy a RINO.
January 30, 2009 3:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
On twitter from the RNC room, it was posted that Steele was conferring with Anuzis for some of that extra ten votes he needs.
January 30, 2009 3:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anuzis dropping out.
January 30, 2009 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wonder if Michael Steele lives by the sea?
January 30, 2009 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
No endorsement from Anuzis -- is he a moderate or hardliner? It could be close. The final round coming up.
January 30, 2009 3:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Depends on your perspective, but based on the report that Azunis was looking to block Duncan, one can assume the majority of his votes will move to Steele. Then again, you never know until the voting is done.
January 30, 2009 3:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Steele needs a mere 6 votes from Anuzis - it's over. He'll probably get all of them for the statement it will make.
January 30, 2009 3:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can feel the love coming from that voting chamber from the comforts of my office.
January 30, 2009 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I dunno, Jonze -- Anuzis could have finished it by endorsing Steele, but he pointedly did not do so. Steele will probably win, but it won't be by more than a couple of votes.
January 30, 2009 3:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, PLEASE let Dawson somehow pull this out...
January 30, 2009 3:37 PM | Reply | Permalink