2012 elections

RNC Attacks Obama For Going On Vacation Before Jobs Speech (AUDIO)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | September 6, 2011, 9:38AM

The Republican National Committee is up with a new radio ad in eight battleground states that channels two classic political messages: Ronald Reagan's "Morning in America" line and the ageless attack on politicians for going on vacation.

Running ahead of President Obama's jobs speech to a joint session of Congress this week, the ad casts the address as more of the same from a man who desperately needs the economy to get going again.

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Wisconsin Recalls

Priebus Toasts Wis. Recalls: 'We Need To Have A Country Of Makers, And Not A Country Of Takers' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | August 10, 2011, 2:14PM

Republican National Committee chairman and Wisconsin native Reince Priebus is very upbeat about the results of Tuesday's state Senate recalls, in which Republicans were able to retain their majority. And what's more, he says it presents a valuable lesson -- and a pocket-sized John Galt speech -- for the whole nation.

MSNBC host Contessa Brewer asked Priebus what message could be 'extrapolated' from the recalls, which were launched by the Democrats and organized labor in a backlash against Gov. Scott Walker's new law eliminating most collective bargaining rights that public employee unions had previously enjoyed. Democrats picked up two seats, just short of the three that they needed in order to flip control of the chamber.

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Wisconsin Recalls

RNC Chair: Pay No Attention To The Wisconsin Recalls, National Reporters

Evan McMorris-Santoro | August 3, 2011, 1:54PM

Reince Priebus

RNC chair Reince Priebus, a former chair of the Wisconsin Republican Party, says there's no need for national political reporters to try and glean anything about the 2012 elections from the state Senate recall fight underway in his home state, where Democrats seem to have the momentum.

"I don't think its a test run," Preibus said on a conference call with reporters this morning. He added that even though some of the key issues on the ballot in the coming weeks in his home state are "a similar debate to what we're having in the country," the "the localized nature of it doesn't allow it to be analogous to the 2012 election."

If the polls are to be believed, that's good news for the GOP.

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RNC

RNC Ad: Obama Can Drive, Just Not Very Well (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 6, 2011, 9:59AM

RNC ad: "Change direction"

The Republican National Committee has a new TV ad for national cable, likening President Obama's economic record to a roller-coaster, and a speeding car -- and to a fiery car-wreck. And just in case you didn't get the message...another car crash, a train-wreck, and a car speeding off a dock into the water.

"He promised to change direction," the announcer says, as visuals begin of a roller-coaster climbing a big incline, and a car speeding up, all from a passenger's-eye view. "800 billion in stimulus, trillions for government health care. Two million jobs -- gone. Left turn after left turn, America's headed the wrong way fast. Six million foreclosures, 14 trillion in debt, 500 billion in higher taxes, and the worst long-term unemployment in generations.

Then comes the pyrotechnics of the various vehicular disasters listed above: "Don't let Obama drive us to disaster -- change direction."

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Pres '12

RNC Chair Priebus Dismisses Birthers

Eric Kleefeld | April 26, 2011, 1:04PM

Reince Priebus, Chairman of the Republican National Committee

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus is dismissing the birther phenomenon within his party's base -- a further sign that the Republican establishment is trying to put some distance between itself and the conspiracy theories still popular on the Tea Party right.

"Trump and the candidates can talk about it all they want, but my position is that the president was born in the United States," Priebus told reporters at a breakfast hosted by the Christian Science Monitor, CNN reports.

"I don't think it's an issue that moves voters," Priebus added. "It's an issue in my opinion that I don't personally get too excited about, because I think the more important question is what's going on in this country in regards to jobs, to debt, and the deficit and spending. Those are the things that people are worried about. People aren't worried about these other issues."

Racism

Pat Buchanan: Donald Trump Is Not A Racist

Brian Beutler | April 15, 2011, 1:02PM

If you're trying to burnish your racial bona fides you probably want somebody other than Pat Buchanan sanding down your rough edges for you.

After setting self-awareness aside this week and telling the world "I've always had a great relationships with the blacks. Some of my best friends are blacks," GOP presidential hopeful Donald Trump found himself in the hot seat with the media.

Today on MSNBC, Pat Buchanan leaped to his defense.

"I don't find any malice in what he said in that statement about the black folks," Buchanan said. "I'm a Catholic, and if he said I have a great relationship with the Catholics, I don't think I'd take great offense."

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RNC

RNC Chair: Obama Puts NCAA Bracket Ahead Of Important Issues

Eric Kleefeld | March 15, 2011, 6:43PM

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus and President Barack Obama

Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus has a message for President Obama: How dare you be a sports fan!

Priebus just posted this on Twitter, linking to a right-wing blog post that attacked Obama for videotaping a brief segment on ESPN:

How can @BarackObama say he is leading when puts his NCAA bracket over the budget & other pressing issues? http://bit.ly/ieSuCI

Maybe Obama would have been better off not talking about sports -- that way, conservatives could stick to attacking him as an out-of-touch elitist.

Michael Steele

Michael Steele Faces Off Against The Daily Show's Puppet Michael Steele (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | February 2, 2011, 10:38AM

Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele appeared on the Daily Show last night -- both of him!

"Wait a minute," Jon Stewart said at the start of the interview. "You're not Michael Steele."

"What?" Steele responded.

"We've had Michael Steele on the show, like, five times," said Stewart. "I don't -- you look -- you're not him."

"Jon, Jon, I can assure you -- I'm Michael Steele."

"I have to tell you," Stewart began -- only to be interrupted by the blue Sesame Street puppet that the Daily Show used during Steele's tenure at the RNC, voiced by a rhyming, jive-talking Wyatt Cenac.

"Yeah sorry I'm late, Watergate," said Puppet Michael Steele. "Who's this extremely handsome gentleman?"

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RNC

Priebus: RNC's True Finances Even Worse Than Our FEC Report Says

Eric Kleefeld | February 1, 2011, 1:06PM

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus

Newly-elected Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus is putting all the bad news right out there. With the RNC releasing a year-end federal report showing over $21 million in debt, he simultaneously put out a statement saying that fully-adjusted numbers would ultimately show that it's even worse -- that is, he has an even bigger hole to dig out of.

"While the year-end FEC report reveals the Republican National Committee is $21 million in debt, I believe it is best to get out all the facts as we know them associated with our financial position," Priebus said in a statement. "To date, the committee has approximately $23 million in debt: $15 million in loans, and $8 million owed to vendors."

Priebus also implicitly put the blame on his predecessor as chairman, Michael Steele, who he defeated this past January. In the statement, Priebus says that prior fundraising operations were very inefficient:

"The RNC transition team is committed to improving the committee's financial situation in two areas: lowering costs of raising small donations and restoring the trust of major donors in the Republican Party. The RNC did raise nearly $105 million in 2010 mainly through low-dollar solicitations online and in the mail, but the costs to raise it were simply too high at approximately 64 cents for every dollar raised. Even more troubling, our major donor programs are at 10-year lows.

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RNC

Priebus Assembling RNC Finance Operation -- And Replacing Steele Aides

Eric Kleefeld | January 21, 2011, 1:33PM

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus

Newly-elected Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus is already busy at work, on such issues as fundraising and party organization -- and turning the page from predecessor Michael Steele, who he defeated for re-election last week.

"I have no goal to become ... some cable TV rock star," Priebus told USA Today. "I'm the guy from Wisconsin. I'm somebody who is willing to work like a dog."

And, it seems, part of working like a dog means getting rid of the people who worked for Michael Steele.

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RNC

Steele: 'From The Very Beginning' There Were Calls For My Resignation (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | January 21, 2011, 10:10AM

Former RNC Chairman Michael Steele

Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele appeared last night on the Rachel Maddow show, offered a vociferous defense of his performance as chairman -- and said how some people had opposed his style of managing the party from the very beginning.

In her introduction, Maddow discussed the immediate scheming that occurred against Steele, and how right-wing media outlets such as the Washington Times quickly began agitating for his ouster.

"I think you nailed it pretty well," Steele said, "that, you know, from the very beginning, literally within the first 30 days of my being on the job, there were calls for my resignation. Now, I don't know how one does -- how you screw up so badly in 30 days on a job that they want to get rid of you when you don't even know where the washrooms are.

"But clearly, there was -- there was a distinctive style issue for me. I mean, I'm a very, you know, grassroots guy. I'm very oriented on being in the neighborhoods and communities," Steele said. "My first venture out of Washington was to Harlem. And I remember a member asked me, why are you going to Harlem as RNC chairman? I said, because there are votes there. Let's take our message to the people."

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Michael Steele

Michael Steele Claims His RNC Was 'A Very Lean Machine' (VIDEO)

Ryan J. Reilly | January 20, 2011, 9:30AM

Michael Steele

Recently ousted Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele -- who oversaw the organization's expenditures at bondage-themed restaurants, its plunge into $22 million in debt and a bare bones fundraising effort -- claimed Wednesday his RNC was "a very lean machine."

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RNC

Priebus's New Team Includes Ed Gillespie, Henry Barbour

Eric Kleefeld | January 19, 2011, 2:14PM

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus

Newly elected Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus officially announced today the line-up for his transition team, with a clear message that the RNC wants to put the controversies of the Michael Steele years behind them -- or, in the press release's words, "implementing the plan to restore faith in Republican donors and communicate with the American public."

Notably on the team are Ed Gillespie, a former RNC chairman during President George W. Bush's first term, and Henry Barbour, an RNC member from Mississippi -- and a nephew of Gov. Haley Barbour, who for his part is also a potential presidential candidate and a former RNC chairman.

"When I ran for Chairman of the RNC, I promised to make changes and begin the outreach process with key Republican donors," Priebus said in the press release. "Today, I am honored to announce the team that will help ensure Republicans have a top-notch ground game in the 2012 election cycle. Together, we will build on our success in 2010 and take back the White House and the United States Senate."

Michael Steele

Steele Blasts Priebus For Betrayal: 'I Know Exactly How Caesar Felt'

Eric Kleefeld | January 19, 2011, 10:13AM

Former RNC Chairman Michael Steele

Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele sat down for an interview with Tim Mak of FrumForum, to defend his record after he was defeated for re-election last week. And for Steele, one sore point seems to be the victory of the new RNC Chairman Reince Priebus -- a former seeming ally of his, who then turned on him.

Mak reports:

"I know exactly how Caesar felt," Steele says, without a hint of irony. "It is what it is." He claims that Priebus had been planning to defect for six, seven, eight months before announcing a bid for the chairmanship. Steele was blindsided. "I trust my friends. Well, I guess the adage is right. In Washington, you should get a dog...We put a lot of resources in Wisconsin over the last two years...that's what you do for [the] team."

Steele is referring to the assassination of Julius Caeasr, who was stabbed by group of Roman senators that included his great friend and ally Brutus. According to legend, Caesar said to Brutus, "Et Tu, Brute?" -- "And you, Brutus?"

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Jon Stewart

Daily Show Bids Farewell To Puppet Michael Steele (VIDEO)

David Taintor | January 18, 2011, 10:42AM

Jon Stewart

Just days after Republicans elected Reince Priebus as the Republican National Committee's new chairman, Jon Stewart last night welcomed puppet Michael Steele to The Daily Show, one last time.

Puppet Steele has a rich history with The Daily Show, and the real Steele, of course, has his own record of gaffes.

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Chris Matthews

Steele Stands By Record On Hardball -- Without Gaffes! (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | January 17, 2011, 5:40PM

Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, who was defeated for re-election at the party's meeting just this past Friday, is now popping up again on cable TV. And in an appearance this afternoon on Hardball, the previously gaffe-tastic Steele was...a remarkably level-headed pundit, with the weight of the RNC taken off his shoulders.

At one point, Steele defended his fundraising record. "Well we raised enough money. $192 million is a lot money," said Steele. "And a lot of folks want to sneeze at that. That's a lot of money -- at least in my neighborhood, I don't know about anybody else's. (Laughs.)"

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Ann Wagner

Wagner Drops Out Of RNC Chairman's Race, Does Not Endorse

Brian Beutler | January 14, 2011, 4:58PM

Ann Wagner

After slipping into last place in the RNC chairman's race, Missouri Republican Ann Wagner has dropped out, and released her supporters to back...nobody in particular.

"It is time that this committee heal and unify and remember that it is our job to beat Barack Obama in 2012," Wagner said. "I release my supporters, because I respect this process, very, very much, to do what they feel they should do in their heart."

If five of her backers move into Reince Priebus' camp, and he bleeds no support, he'll wrap this thing up.

Michael Steele

RNC Chairman's Race, Round Five Goes To Priebus

Brian Beutler | January 14, 2011, 4:16PM

Reince Priebus and Michael Steele

After ballot five, some real movement.

The overall tally, in descending order:

Priebus: 67
Cino: 40
Wagner: 28
Anuzis: 32
Anonymous, Ineligible Write-In: 1

Steele's bid to throw support to Maria Cino doesn't seem to have worked out exactly as he planned. Instead it appears that under half of his supporters broke for Cino, the rest for Priebus. Now Priebus is really closing in on the magic number, 85. It's a question of whether Wagner and Anuzis supporters accept him as Steele's successor, or decide to play queenmaker for Cino.

Michael Steele

Steele Drops Out, Endorses Cino (VIDEO)

Brian Beutler | January 14, 2011, 3:55PM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

Michael Steele just dropped out of his race for a second term as RNC chairman and threw his support to Maria Cino, who came in second place after the fourth ballot here at the GOP's winter meeting in National Harbor, MD.

"I will step aside because I think the party is ready for something different," Steele said.

Thus ended Steele's at times disastrous, at times hilarious, at times gobsmacking tenure as the face of the Republican party.

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Michael Steele

RNC Chairman's Race, Round Four Goes To Priebus

Brian Beutler | January 14, 2011, 3:41PM

Michael Steele

The fourth ballot has been counted in the RNC Chairman's race, and we're still stuck, with Priebus enjoying a modest, but by no means overwhelming lead.

The overall tally, in descending order:

Priebus: 58
Cino: 29
Steele: 28
Wagner: 28
Anuzis: 24
Anonymous Write-In: 1

Priebus enjoys a small, four vote gain. If somebody doesn't drop out soon and endorse him, we're in for a long night. Speculation is that Steele will throw his support to Wagner, which would put her in a dead heat with Priebus. Stay tuned.

Michael Steele

RNC Chairman's Race, Round Three Goes To Priebus

Brian Beutler | January 14, 2011, 3:05PM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

The third ballot has been cast in the RNC Chairman's race, and the winner, again, is Reince Priebus, with 54 votes.

The overall tally, in descending order:

Priebus: 54
Steele: 33
Wagner: 32
Cino: 28
Anuzis: 21

Strange results. Cino's lost all momentum, and Wagner's slowly climbing, but Priebus isn't building on his lead.

Michael Steele

RNC Chairman's Race, Round Two Goes To Priebus

Brian Beutler | January 14, 2011, 2:26PM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

The second ballot has been cast in the RNC Chairman's race, and the winner, again, is Reince Priebus, with 52 votes.

The overall tally, in descending order:

Priebus: 52
Steele: 37
Cino: 30
Wagner: 27
Anuzis: 22

Maria Cino underperformed compared to round one, which will fuel speculation that Priebus parked some votes with her to set her up as his mano-a-mano opponent. This is just one of many unsourced lines of speculation floating around the convention center, bu it's got plenty of traction. Steele, predictably, is sinking quickly -- he lost seven votes between the first and second rounds.

Michael Steele

The Results Are Anyone's Guess As RNC Chair Election Kicks Off

Brian Beutler | January 14, 2011, 12:38PM

Reince Priebus and Michael Steele

The RNC chairman's election will commence momentarily, and members are expected to pick a replacement for Michael Steele. But the arcane rules of the committee's election process allow Steele to remain in contention as long as he wants.

Here's the intelligence we have so far.

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RNC

Thanks For All The Gaffes! Michael Steele's Two Years At The RNC

Eric Kleefeld | January 14, 2011, 8:44AM

Michael Steele

The end is near, and now he faces the final curtain -- but Michael Steele has sure done it his way.

The Republican National Committee is holding its election for chair today, with the incumbent Chairman Steele widely expected to lose. He may very well put in a strong showing on the first ballot, though just about everyone expects opposition to him to eventually unify around a single opponent -- such as Wisconsin GOP chair Reince Priebus, the frontrunner in terms of publicly committed votes.

So let's have a look back at Steele's tenure at the RNC. If there is one consistent theme to Steele's gaffes, it is this: A desire to please the immediate audience that he is talking to at a given moment, without regard for the wider audience of the whole American political class that is watching. In particular, during Steele's various efforts at party outreach, when a person will criticize the GOP for some flaw, he will agree with the initial criticism before trying to discuss how we can all come together to fix the problem. But int he end, people only notice the agreement -- that is, putting down the party, or contradicting it on some key point -- without the benefit of actually winning over the converts.

So with that in mind, let's take a look at 10 great gaffes from Steele's tenure at the RNC. There have been many, of course -- but these are doozies.

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RNC

Facing Near-Term Shortfall, RNC Raises Its Own Debt Ceiling

Brian Beutler | January 13, 2011, 2:37PM

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele

Whoever wins the RNC chairmanship tomorrow will inherit a committee deeply in debt. According to Reid Wilson of The Hotline, the party faces more than $21.8 million in outstanding debt as of the end of 2010.

But in an ironic twist, the RNC basically raised its own debt ceiling. The committee was scheduled to make a $5 million payment on its debt by the end of February, but has been granted a significant reprieve.

At its winter meeting in National Harbor, Maryland, a hurried RNC Treasurer Randy Pullen confirmed to me the party had "negotiated an extension from the bank for one year," on its debt.

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RNC

Report: John Sununu Supporting Priebus For RNC Chair

Eric Kleefeld | January 13, 2011, 11:21AM

Reince Priebus

Wisconsin GOP chairman Reince Priebus has picked up a big endorsement in the Republican National Committee chairmanship race, CNN reports, winning the endorsement of New Hampshire GOP chairman John Sununu.

Sununu, who is stepping down as state party chair, is definitely a big name in GOP politics. He was governor of the state from 1983-1989, and was then White House Chief of Staff for nearly three years under President George H.W. Bush. His son John E. Sununu was a Congressman and Senator for New Hampshire, losing re-election in the Democratic wave of 2008.

This brings Priebus's vote count to 41, against incumbent RNC chairman Michael Steele's 17, former Missouri GOP chair Ann Wagner's 15, former Michigan GOP chair Saul Anuzis' 14, and former RNC deputy chair Maria Cino's 12. The election is tomorrow, and it could potentially take multiple ballots to reach the winning 85 votes out of 168 in total.

RNC

Will Reince Priebus Surge To The RNC Chairmanship?

Eric Kleefeld | January 13, 2011, 10:38AM

Reince Priebus and Michael Steele

The Republican National Committee is set to meet Friday to elect its chairman -- and from the looks of things, incumbent RNC Chair Michael Steele's history of gaffes, combined with the party's recent financial problems, will doom him at the vote. But can Wisconsin GOP Chair Reince Priebus, the frontrunner headed into the vote, seal things up?

In the latest count from National Journal, Priebus has 40 committed votes, Steele 17 -- a truly awful place for an incumbent to be -- former Missouri GOP chair Ann Wagner 15, former Michigan GOP chair Saul Anuzis 14, and former Deputy RNC chair Maria Cino 12.

This is not to say that Priebus has it locked up -- far from it, when one takes into account that the single largest group are the 70 committee members who have not publicly declared a choice. As a percentage, then, Priebus is at 24%, Steele at only 10%, Wagner 9%, Anuzis 8%, and Cino 7%, with "uncommitted" in the lead at 42%.

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John Boehner

Boehner Backing Maria Cino In Race For RNC Chair

Jillian Rayfield | January 12, 2011, 5:23PM

House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH)

Speaker of the House John Boehner is reportedly backing Maria Cino for RNC Chair, and has already made several calls on her behalf.

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Stephen Colbert

Colbert: What's A Reince Priebus? (VIDEO)

David Taintor | January 6, 2011, 11:40AM

Stephen Colbert

Stephen Colbert last night took on Monday's Republican National Committee chair debate, deeming Wisconsin GOP chair Reince Priebus as the candidate to beat.

"Folks, this could be the perfect name for the chairman of the RNC, which I believe is pronounced "'Reince,'" Colbert said.

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Jon Stewart

Jon Stewart Lampoons The RNC Chair Debate (VIDEO)

David Taintor | January 5, 2011, 11:26AM

Jon Stewart

Jon Stewart last night lampooned Monday's Republican National Committee chair debate, highlighting some of the candidates' better gaffes.

Stewart began by critiquing Ann Wagner's wardrobe. "Wagner, what are you doing?" Stewart asked. "The lady Dole train left the station in 2008. These are Palin days!" He then performed an impromptu makeover, adding some bangs, a flag lapel pin and a leather jacket, among other things.

"You just got grizzlied!" he added.

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RNC

Reports: Boehner Backing Maria Cino In RNC Chair Fight

Evan McMorris-Santoro | January 4, 2011, 6:17PM

Maria Cino

Incoming House Speaker John Boehner is backing Dick Cheney's choice for the next chair of the Republican National Commitee, according to multiple reports this afternoon.

Boehner "has made at least one call to advocate" for ex-Republican National Convention chief Maria Cino, Roll Call reports. CNN's Peter Hamby first reported Boehner's lobbying effort, reporting that Bohener has made "calls" on Cino's behalf. In the past, Boehner had promised to stay out of the RNC fight.

Staff for Boehner didn't offer a response to Roll Call, but as the paper points out, Boehner giving Cino his support wouldn't be too surprising. Boehner's known Cino for years and his chief of staff served with Cino when she was part of the George W. Bush administration. Cino is among the more experienced political operatives in the race to be the next chair of the RNC, though she is generally seen as running near the back of the pack.

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RNC

As Nation Shifts Toward Gay Rights, RNC Candidates Promise To Stay Put

Evan McMorris-Santoro | January 4, 2011, 8:07AM

Reince Priebus and Michael Steele

The past year saw great strides forward for supporters of gay rights, culminating in the repeal in December of the military's ban on openly gay and lesbian service members. Polls continue to show the American public is warming to gay rights, from overwhelmingly supporting the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell to rising support for legalized gay marriage at the federal level.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: It's Over: Senate Repeals Don't Ask, Don't Tell]

It seems increasingly clear that embracing some changes in the way gays and lesbians interact with society will be necessary for political viability in the future. That is, unless you're running to be the next chair of the Republican National Committee. At their debate yesterday, the major candidates running to lead the RNC through the 2012 presidential race pledged to hold the line on gay rights, expressing concern over the repeal of DADT and vowing to keep the Republican Party in the sanctity of marriage business.

Though Republicans may be less willing overall to embrace gay rights than other groups, the party by no means speaks with one voice on the topic. The DADT repeal vote in the Congress carried a few Republican votes with it, and a handful of well-known Republicans have expressed their support for gay marriage as well.

But that's not how the candidates for RNC chair see it. At the debate yesterday, they spoke with basically one voice and said support for gay marriage does not have a place in the modern GOP.

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RNC

Michael Steele Tells TPM: GOP 'Purists' Could Help Obama In 2012

Evan McMorris-Santoro | January 3, 2011, 5:00PM

Michael Steele

Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele says a growing call by conservatives to purify the GOP from views that differ from their own could make life a lot easier for President Obama in 2012.

Steele was the star attraction at today's RNC chair debate sponsored by Grover Norquist's Americans For Tax Reform group, the Daily Caller and the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List. For about 90 minutes, Steele joined a panel of four others intent on taking his job when the RNC's 168 voting members convene later this month for their annual winter meeting. As expected, much of the talk was about fundraising, with each candidate in turn promising to rake in the gobs of cash the party will need to take on Obama (and try to flip the Senate while they're at it) in two years. But there was a surprising amount of philosophizing mixed in with the money talk. Candidates weighed in on what a Republican is, who counts as a Republican and what role the RNC should take in enforcing Republicanism.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Michael Steele's Summer Vacation: Elect Republicans, Then Reelect Me!]

All the candidates were willing to say that being a Republican is more than just saying "I'm Republican." But while the challengers seemed to agree that some kind of litmus test was not only possible but probably necessary to keep the GOP from wasting money on candidates who weren't with the program, Steele implored his party to keep the tent doors flung open to all comers. Steele, who was one of the establishment figures on the inside taking fire from conservatives as Washington leaders attempted to select candidates in primaries last year, called talk of a litmus test "very dangerous" and suggested that closing the tent doors at the GOP was the first step toward political oblivion for Republicans.

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RNC

Ann Wagner Owns Way More Guns Than Other RNC Chair Candidates (VIDEO)

David Taintor | January 3, 2011, 4:41PM

Ann Wagner

Republican National Committee chair candidate Ann Wagner blew away the competition when Grover Norquist asked each candidate at today's debate how many guns they own.

"About 16," replied Wagner, whose family actually just got a new gun case for Christmas.

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RNC

Ann Wagner Names Favorite Bar -- Not Book -- At RNC Chair Debate (VIDEO)

David Taintor | January 3, 2011, 3:37PM

Ann Wagner

The candidates for chairman of the Republican National Committee are a literate bunch. And when asked to name their favorite book, their answers were revealing, to say the least.

Maria Cino's favorite is the classic To Kill a Mockingbird. Reince Priebus named The Reagan Diaries as his first choice. And current RNC Chairman Michael Steele's favorite is War and Peace.

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RNC

RNC Candidates: We Heart Fighting Voter Fraud

Eric Kleefeld | January 3, 2011, 3:15PM

This afternoon's RNC chairmanship debate saw the candidates being asked what they would do about a perennial issue that is near and dear to GOP hearts: The threat of alleged Democratic voter fraud.

As you probably know, voter fraud is a frequent complaint among Republicans, motivating their efforts to enact laws such as voter-identification, and to dispatch poll-watchers to precincts in (heavily Democratic) urban areas. At the other end of the spectrum, Democrats are quick to point out that very few voter-fraud prosecutions ever actually take place, and that the GOP's efforts would have a great impact of making it harder for lower-class and minority demographics to vote.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Michael Steele's Summer Vacation: Elect Republicans, Then Reelect Me!]

Reince Priebus was first. "Well that's a good question for me, because I was chairman when we sued our Government Accountability Board in the state of Wisconsin over our non-compliance with an eight-year-old HAVA [Help America Vote Act] law," said Priebus, who then criticized the very open voting system in his state. "We are one of the few states in the entire country, in Wisconsin, where you can actually vote on Election Day without registering. And you can also vote without any picture identification at all. So our challenges in Wisconsin are astronomical."

He also added: "I think we need to win more races in the legislature so we can pass photo ID in all states, and make sure that we either have photo ID or real ID, or some method of protecting our constitutional right to vote in this country. And I think it has to be a top priority of the next chairman."

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