http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20061116-115116-8520r.htmRNC denies offering chairmanship to Steele
The Republican National Committee this week said it never offered Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele "a specific role" at the committee after his unsuccessful campaign for the U.S. Senate.
Many conservatives were surprised this week when, after reports that some leading Republicans favored Mr. Steele to succeed Ken Mehlman as chairman of the RNC, the White House leaked word to news agencies that President Bush would back Florida Sen. Mel Martinez for the top post at the committee.
The Washington Times reported Nov. 10 that Mr. Mehlman would not seek a second two-year term as RNC chairman in January and that Mr. Steele had been offered a Cabinet or top RNC post in recognition of his hard-fought Senate campaign that ended in defeat on Nov. 7.
The Times on Wednesday asked the White House, the RNC and Mr. Steele whether, as the paper also had reported, anyone from the administration or RNC had told Mr. Steele or any of his aides that he was not a "team player" because he had talked to The Times about the jobs in question and that those jobs could be withheld in retaliation.