Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele has received more support from RNC members — so much so that he would be guaranteed to hold on to his job at least until his term expires next year, barring any new shocking events.
An additional 27 RNC members have signed on to a letter of support for Steele that was released earlier today, CNN reports, bringing the total number of signatories to 58. Because RNC rules require a two-thirds vote (112 out of 168 RNC members) to remove a chairman in the middle of his two-year term, Steele could not be removed against his will unless he were to lose some of the support he now has, and also see everyone else support an ouster.
Steele’s recent problems have come in the wake of an RNC expenditure of nearly $2,000 at a bondage-themed nightclub in West Hollywood, in an event for young donors. The RNC fired the staffer involved, and their chief of staff quit earlier this week in the wake of the scandal. The RNC has also said it will recover the money. These problems seem to be leading major GOP donors to question the RNC’s credibility.
Two RNC members, North Carolina GOP chair Tom Fetzer and RNC member (and frequent Steele critic) Ada Fisher, have called upon Steele to resign. However, because Steele has the support of more than 57 RNC members, his job is safe for now.
