RNC Aide Quits, Blasts Michael Steele (WSJ)

RNC Aide Quits, Blasts Michael Steele
By Brody Mullins

The Republican National Committee’s top aide resigned Tuesday after issuing a five-page resignation letter condemning Michael Steele’s tenure as chairman.

Gentry Collins said that when Mr. Steele took over the RNC at the beginning of 2009 it had millions of dollars in the bank. Now it’s in debt.

He said the lack of funds prevented the RNC from running enough television advertisements for candidates in the November election and from properly funding a get-out-the-vote effort. While the GOP took the majority in the House and picked up several Senate seats, Mr. Collins said he was concerned about the RNC’s clout in the 2012 elections.

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Republicans have been meeting privately to find a candidate to run against Mr. Steele. So far, one major candidate, Saul Anuzis, the former Michigan Republican chairman, has announced that he will challenge Mr. Steele. Other candidates are expected to emerge in the coming weeks.

Mr. Collins wrote that one of Mr. Steele’s biggest problems is raising money from wealthy donors. “The RNC has allowed its major donor base to wither,” he said. Only about 10% of the money that the RNC raised in 2009 and 2010 have come from donations of $1,000 or more.