There is a lot of talk around DC about who will be the RNC Chairman if John McCain were to lose. I generally hear about four candidates:
- Saul Anuzis, Chairman of the Michigan GOP
- Katon Dawson, Chairman of the South Carolina GOP
- Jim Greer, Chairman of the Florida GOP
- Shawn Steele, incoming National Committeeman of the California GOP
There is also talk that non-RNC-member elected candidates could run. (note that RNC rules require that the Chairman be a member of the Committee, but that can often be fudged with a supportive state party)
If McCain loses, the RNC Chair would likely be the public leader of the party. It is unlikely that Mitch McConnell or John Boehner, the presumed leaders of the Congressional party, would have the time or the umph to be public leaders like that. (although, I have at times thought that Boehner could do it)
The RNC Chairman’s race will also have strong implications for the 2012 Presidential primary. Mitt Romney is widely seen as having a substantial foot up because of the scope of his organization for 2008. It is likely that he would have a preferred candidate in the RNC Chairman’s race to keep tabs on the whole process.
We all very sincerely want McCain to win. But the maneuvering over the Chairman’s race is going on full-speed ahead and we intend to follow that in addition to the Presidential race, Congressional races, party growth, etc.
Consequently, please share information about this with us. We get a bunch as it is, but the more people reach out, the more we can document what is happening and make a difference in the process.