Posted on 04/05/2010 11:00:38 AM PDT by STARWISE
In another serious blow to the Republican National Committee, one of its top fundraisers — and its few remaining connections to the traditional GOP donor base — has resigned a senior, unpaid position.
Former Ambassador Sam Fox, a top supporter of George W. Bush who was one of the co-chairmen of the Republican Regents — the RNC's top-level fundraising board — has left the post, two Republican sources said.
Fox, a Missouri businessman who was Bush's ambassador to Belgium, was one of the RNC's few remaining connections to the deep-pocketed Republican establishment and was viewed as the heaviest hitter among its fundraisers.
Fox didn't return a call seeking comment.
But Fox was "deeply troubled by the pattern of self-inflicted wounds and missteps," another major Republican fundraiser told me today, and had "lost confidence" in Steele.
He was also finding it harder and harder to tap fellow wealthy Republicans for the RNC, the source said.
The GOP source predicted a coming wave of high-level finance resignations amid dissatisfaction over the arrival, under an ethical cloud, of a new fundraising staffer.
Michael Steele said Monday that he has no intention of stepping down as chairman of the Republican National Committee. Steele also said that he had a "slimmer margin" of error as an African-American, comparing himself in that respect to President Barack Obama.
"It just is," he said in response to a viewer question. "Barack Obama has a slimmer margin. A lot of folks do. I mean it’s a different role for you know, for me to play and others to play. And that’s just the reality of it."
After coming under fire all week for nearly $2,000 the RNC spent at a bondage-themed strip club in West Hollywood, Steele defended the committee’s spending under his leadership during an interview with ABC’s “Good Morning America” and said he’s not concerned by Republicans who oppose his chairmanship.
Asked if he will resign, Steele simply responded: “No.”
Then he was asked, via a viewer, whether he felt that "as an African-American you have a slimmer margin for error than another chairman would?"
“The honest answer is yes,“ he responded.
"Why is that?" asked host George Stephanopoulous.
“It just is. Barack Obama has a slimmer margin. A lot of folks do. I mean it’s a different role for you know, for me to play and others to play. And that’s just the reality of it. But you take that as part of the nature of it. It’s more because you’re not someone they know. I’m not a Washington insider. ... My view on politics is much more grass-roots-oriented. It’s not old boy network oriented and so I tend to come at it a little bit stronger, a little more streetwise if you will. That rubs some feathers the wrong way. At the end of the day I’m judged by whether I win elections and I raise the money.”
Of the critics, Steele said, “I understand that, they’ve been saying that since the day I got the job. ... Those unnamed Republicans that don’t like me, I understand that, but I’m going to continue to work hard.”
Steele insisted that spending more than the RNC took in last year was part of a “budget,” and that he actually had more money left over than he anticipated.
“We have managed the money in a way that has allowed us to compete in some races that we otherwise wouldn’t have competed in,” he said. “I had more money. I have a budget.”
Steele also contended that, despite FEC reports indicating otherwise, “I’m not staying in fancy hotels and the Four Seasons and flying around in corporate jets.”
Asked about the RNC funds that paid for a night out at the club, Steele said: “When I first heard about this behavior going on I was angry and we dealt with it.”
~ ~ ~
Please, Mr. Steele, for the good of the conservative mission to take this country back from the socialists: RESIGN! And PLEASE: DON'T resort to claiming 'racism.'
Not a dime to the RNC until Steele is gone.
Resign.
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.
so typical
Mike Steele: The RNC is not about YOU
The fact that you think it is- is why your fundbraisers (and contributors) are bailing
His primary contact with Republicanism was the Bush family.
I thought you guys were fed up with the Bush's and their cronies.
This should be the end of Steele...its one thing to spend money raised foolishly, but its another to lose the raisers of those funds.
Steele plays the race card, again! Whjy can’t this bumbling chairman see that it has nothing to do with race, but what he is doing? The rnc has lost my support!
So, how long are they going to keep the albatross hanging around their collective neck?
He’ll have to resign. Because they can’t fire him.
Well, Fox is obviously a racist, if one believes Steele’s assertions.
What’s the term: popinjay?
Yeah..selling your book and giving paid speeches, while getting paid by the RNC for your time.
“Steele also contended that, despite FEC reports indicating otherwise, “I’m not staying in fancy hotels and the Four Seasons and flying around in corporate jets.”
So....Michael, dude......ummm..you filed false FEC reports?
I can support Republican candidates directly without the RNC.
This is a non-story.
Not that I ever donated a dime to any politician or political party [it only encourages them to ask for more], but this is a damned fine reason not to start. So much for the party of fiscal responsibility.
What? ...based on this incident?
I hope not, State Media is driving this non-story as a distraction for their boss.
“Truth is, Mr. Steele, we’ve probably unconsciously given you more slack because you’re black. “
####
On the nose.
A truism in America for the last 30+ years.
Even among conservatives.
Even here on FR.
“FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.”
For the love of the Republic.
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