Republicans Want New Leader - Palin Maybe ?

After the Democrats successfully got an African-American elected president of the United States in 2008, the Republicans decided they needed a token African-American themselves to try and convince Americans they aren't an all-white party (which of course they really are).   They didn't have a lot to choose from, but they finally came up with Michael Steele -- and the choice has been an unmitigated disaster.

Not only was their racist teabagger base unhappy with the choice, but Steele turned out to be pretty incompetent.   He was good at spending the party's money but not very good at raising funds for the party.   In fact, when the last election rolled around they didn't even have the money to mount a proper GOTV effort.   They were just lucky that the recession was still raging and the voters were unhappy with the weak effort of Democrats to control it.

Now they are going into the next election cycle deeply in debt.   This is a new experience for Republicans, who usually start a new election cycle with a few million in the bank.   It had been reported that the party was $15 million in debt, but that was wrong.   They now believe they are somewhere between $20 and $25 million in debt, and one RNC member estimates it'll cost a couple of million more just to keep their headquarters open until January (when they elect a new chairman).

The question now is whether they'll have to borrow even more money just to stay open.   Treasurer Randy Pullen hopes not.   He says,   "I don't think we will borrow more money.   However, that would be up to the Budget and Executive committees.   At some point, key vendors need to be paid."

Steele said a few weeks ago that he will be seeking re-election as the RNC chairman, but that was before everyone knew just how bad their financial situation had become.   I doubt that there is any chance of his re-election now.   Several candidates have stepped forward wanting the job.   They are all far right-wingers and would not change the direction of the party, and it remains to be seen if they can raise money better than Steele has done.   They are all white though, and that could help with the party's base (and major contributors).

But that is not good enough for the teabaggers in the party.   They don't just want a competent fundraiser -- they want a real trash-talker and someone who will steer the party far out to the right-wing fringe.   Some are even calling for the job to be given to the quitter from Alaska -- Sarah Palin.   Judson Phillips, leader of the Tea Party Nation and organizer of the failed teabagger convention in Tennessee, is pleading for Palin to run for the RNC chairmanship.   In an open letter to Palin he said:

"We need you as Chairman of the RNC. You have shown in the past no hesitation to take on the establishment. You did it in Alaska. If we end up with establishment control of the GOP and their support for an establishment candidate in 2012, Obama and the socialists will have won. An establishment candidate will not work to repeal Obamacare and the other programs Obama, Pelosi and Reid have put in place. We need someone who will put conservatives in control of the party apparatus, not RINOs. [...]

Finally, you are a superstar. You have an unbelievable ability to light up a crowd and to raise money. Both of which the Republican Party needs. Something is really wrong with the GOP when the RNC cannot fund a get out the vote campaign for mid-term elections. The GOP needs a conservative who can raise money and energize the troops. You are the only one out there with these unique talents."

I doubt that Palin will try for the job, or accept it if it's offered.   She's making too much money as a celebrity to want a real job, especially one that would require some real work to get the party out of debt.   Besides, she's going to run for president, and being RNC chairman would complicate that.

But I wish they could talk her into it.   If they thought Steele was incompetent (and he was), they'll be unpleasantly surprised to see how much more incompetent Palin would be in the job.   It would be the nicest gift the Republicans could give to Democrats (short of making her their presidential nominee).