April 9, 2010 – Embattled Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele may find his leadership role in the party on thin ice if criticism continues and poor fundraising becomes a crisis.
Steele has downplayed his troubles with GOP party faithfuls, and few Republicans have said publicly they want him to step aside – until now. in addition to the call for him to step-aside, the call came from an African-American member of the GOP.
Dr. Ada M. Fisher, a member of the North Carolina Republican National Committee told the on-line publication Newsmax.com, it’s time for Steele to go.
“I resent Mr. Steele saying that some of the criticism he’s getting is racial,” Fisher said. “I’m Black and I’m not critical of him because of race. I’m critical because of the lack of accountability and transparency. That’s our job. He needs to do that job — and I don’t perceive that he has.”
Fisher is comfortable saying what some of her White counter parts are not.
I suspect the GOP elected Steele as chairman hoping he would be the secret weapon when it came to being critical of the first African-American president’s policies. But it appears to strategy has fallen short.
Republicans weren’t able to stop health care reform, they’re struggling to appeal outside of their conservative base, and the creation of another GOP spearheaded fundraising group is cutting into Steele’s ability to raise money.
Fisher told Newsmax.com she’s not alone in her dissatisfaction; “Be assured, Black Republicans who have been in the trenches a long time are not real pleased with what is going on. Nor are White and other ethnic members of our party.”
In recent weeks the RNC has had a couple PR missteps that haven’t made it easy for Steele. The first was a dinner charge at a Los Angles adult bondage club billed to the RNC and just as that was resolved; a phone number for a sex hotline was mistakenly published on a fundraising flyer mailed to prospective donors.
Steele announced the firing of chief of staff Ken McKay and another adviser Curt Anderson has also left the RNC following the recent incidents. Steele could be sending a message he’s holding folks accountable.
Let’s hope it’s enough to keep him in the top spot.
Do you think the criticism of Michael Steele is because of his race?
