By the way who IS the RNC? Since you have worked inside politics zerosix, can you tell me who exactly is in charge of the party and how does this work?
Each state elect officers to represent them in the Party (both dims and pubbies), of course the larger the footprint ($$$$) from one state, the seemingly more clout they get.
In some states the "mods" are the ones elected (KS had two of the most liberal male and female reps as our representatives -- we're glad to have ousted them.)
Among the rest of the representatives, you also have the nationally elected officials from that state (that would be your representatives AND senators and depending upon how conservative or liberal they are --- well you get the picture.)
That is why it took so many ballots to get to Michael Steele.
I'd not be feeling so cocky, were I him, as he won based upon so many others in the mix thereby pulling support for the REAL conservative in the pack -- Ken Blackwell, from Ohio, in my opinion.
Another popular candidate was the former chief of Huckabee (probably a good guy but not nearly so conservative as Blackwell) and he drew quite a bit of support, though he was NOT a national name and I'm sure the RINOs demanded that -- ala Michael Steele (thanks in the most part for FOX News.)