New chairman Priebus cleans up RNC after Michael Steele’s tumultuous tenure

Washington Post ^ | 04/16/2011 | Dan Balz

[SeekAndFind]

After two tumultuous years, the Republican National Committee is getting back to business.

The hangover from former RNC chairman Michael Steele’s tenure still hasn’t faded. But the new party chairman, Reince Priebus, has begun to restore order and to replenish the committee’s depleted bank account. Whether he can raise enough money and create the machinery needed to help the party’s 2012 nominee compete against President Obama and his seasoned political operation will be the real test of his chairmanship.

Priebus, the former Wisconsin GOP chairman, is taking things a step at a time: restore connections with the party’s major donors, party leaders on Capitol Hill and K Street; chip away at the debt he inherited from Steele; build up a substantial bank account; ensure that the 2012 nominating process is orderly; and retool the party’s once-vaunted voter mobilization program.

“I fully understand that my top priority here at the RNC is to rebuild trust and credibility, and I would say that everything I do, the entire common denominator, whether it be earning trust on the Hill, earning trust with reporters, earning trust with donors and grass roots and all the states, is trust and credibility,” Priebus said during an interview late Friday in his office.

When Priebus arrived at RNC headquarters after defeating Steele and others for the party’s top job, he found the following financial situation: cash on hand of little more than $350,000, with payroll of $400,000 due six days later. The overall debt stood at $24 million.

By the end of March, the party had $3.2 million cash on hand and debt of $19.8 million. Although the debt is still substantial, it is only a couple of million dollars more than the Democratic National Committee is carrying. Priebus believes that to show progress,

[sheana]

If you give to the RNC

hahaha too funny!

[Peet]

Considering the GOP action in Congress, his job is basically that of polishing a turd.

[Republican Wildcat]

It’s main function is to fund GOTV efforts...which were very much lacking in 2010. Thankfully our base was more self-motivated than usual...but still, there were many close races that might have been won with more boots on the ground.

[irish guard]

Priebus is a good guy. He worked winded here in WiscOnsim, but people here think his job is to set the agenda, when it is more to raise money and find candidates.

sometimes this site is difficult to read. Everyone wants the next Ronald Reagan to appear. There is a lot of carping. Hell, some of these guys would probably be unhappy with Walker as their governor and Ron Johnson as their senator.

[Republican Wildcat]

Of course not. He was thrown out due to complete incompetence and his record speeks for itself. No conspiracy nonsense will change that.

[irish guard]

Why don’t you look at what Priebus did in Wisconsin? Ron Johnson, Scott Walker? Yea terrible rino candidates right? C’mon. Do some homework before ragging on the guy please.

[irish guard]

Apologies to all for typing on an iPhone and not proofing my stuff. Autospell got me a fee times.

[Venturer]

I fully understand that my top priority here at the RNC is to rebuild trust and credibility, and I would say that everything I do, the entire common denominator, whether it be earning trust on the Hill, earning trust with reporters, earning trust with donors and grass roots and all the states, is trust and credibility,” Priebus said during an interview late Friday in his office.
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If he wants a donation from me he had better stop listening to the RINO’s and go Conservative.

Yes I mean Romney, Huckabee , McCain, Grahamnesty,Hatch and the others.

[Roccus]

Better yet, just send the note and keep your $$$$

[jmaroneps37]

Why not have Tokyo Rove send out a letter mocking “birthers” and asking for money? THAT should raise lots of money!