I just spoke with Republican political strategist Roger Stone, and he predicted that Michael Steele’s latest foul-up over abortion and gays could cost him dearly.
“Well, it’s just one more nail in the coffin,” said Stone, after I read the relevant quotes to him. “He just doesn’t seem to understand his role as party chairman, which is not to criticize any wing of the party. I mean, three weeks ago he was offending moderates, now he’s offending conservatives. He shouldn’t be offending Rush Limbaugh or Arlen Specter.”
“I’m not sure why the chairman has to opine on abortion at all,” Stone added. “I mean, we have a platform, just refer to it.”
Stone has also told me that the anti-Steele feelings among Republicans would have been there no matter what — but Steele has badly mismanaged it: “The reason he has a problem, and the reason this hasn’t been squelched, is that his maiden voyage hasn’t been successful. He keeps putting his foot in his mouth.”
Stone has heard the name of Saul Anuzis, the former Michigan GOP chairman who also ran in the RNC race, circulating as a possible new chairman. “I’ve monitored this pretty closely. I think Saul is on the move as well,” said Stone. “It wouldn’t be surprising if all the guys who had run had their knives out.”
In an e-mail to TPM, Anuzis strongly denied that he is in any way not supportive of Steele, or that he would be a candidate in any new election. “A few folks are trying to spin some trouble,” said Anuzis. “We’re moving ahead.”
