[MinnesotaLibertarian]

There's definitely a perception that the GOP has largely become a Southern party. However, just throwing a token Midwesterner in as a RNC chair is not going to do a lot to fix that.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

So lets just get another rino in there.That has worked so well in the past.The republican party is well on its way to whig status if that happens.

[SmokingJoe]

“As the GOP wrestles with criticism that it is in danger of becoming a regional party rooted in the South, rather than one with broad appeal across the nation”

Groan!
More anti-Republican propaganda from the Obamabots at Politico.
Exactly what did these twits at Politico have to say when the Dims got clobbered in both the congress and the presidency in 2000, and lost even more seats in 2004 and 2004?
Did we hear talk about the Democrats “being in danger of being a regional party” stuck in the liberal strongholds of the north east and the loony left bastions of San Francisco, Wash State and Oregon?
Hey, Politico, fortunes of political parties ebb and flow like the tides. Every political party goes up at the polls for some time, then goes down at the polls for some time, and then the process simply repeats itself. Been happening for centuries.
The Dims will overreach as usual, and Republicans will gain seats come 2010, and even more seats in 2012.

Guys, don't put money in Politico's pockets. Don't feed the monster. Don't click on any links to Politico.

[TennTuxedo]

Since the GOP is so successful in the southern states, why shouldn't the rest of the GOP follow the conservative game plan set forth by its southern leaders?

The rest of the nation has been following the "rinos" and getting their butts handed to them, why not follow in the footsteps of those who know the secret to winning and governing along conservative lines?

[sd-joe]

How about finding the best person for the job, and the heck with this other bs?

[discomatic]

The RNC needs someone who can produce results. Period.

[only1percent]

We shouldn’t hesitate to pick the most serious and astute advocate, no matter where he or he is from.

With the possible exception of “personally pro-life” Reid, the Democratic top ranks make no concession whatever to the notion that the leadership has to go beyond the base regionally or otherwise. Whatever else you might say about Obama, Pelosi, Schumer, Emanuel, Dean, they are certainly good candidates for “Exhibits 1-5, Stereotypical Democrat Leader.”

[penowa]

"But some candidates are more pointed than others in discussing the need to escape the party's increasingly Southern image..."

I wouldn't worry about the image of the Republican party being a "Southern" one. In fact, I would check and see if Chaffee is still looking for a job and would be interested, since the image projected by the current Republican party is definitely NE liberal socialism. In the event that Chaffee is gainfully employed or uninterested, there is probably some registered Democrat politician from New England who would be happy to head up the RNC.

[penowa]

How about Howard Dean? I think he’s available...

[Lui]

What is it with the Republican Party? Why am I hearing should we pick a black or Hispanic or a southerner or a northerner? Why can we not just look at the persons skills and talents and accomplishments and choose the best person. I thought that was one of the founding principles of this Party. I tired of the dividing of this country and am waiting to hear a Republican who stands by the principles of the Party and calls for the end of choosing people based on their race or gender.

[bronxboy]

Quite true-what the author does not address is that McCain lost Virginia and North Carolina both southern states.