Sorry, Tea Party Nation: Sarah Palin will not be replacing Michael Steele at the helm of the Republican National Committee. This morning, Tea Party Nation leader Judson Phillips called on Palin to take the reins at the RNC, for fear that it may fall into “establishment” hands after the 168 voting members of the committee convene to choose a chair in January.
This afternoon, Palin gave ABC News her answer to Phillips’ request: not interested.
Palin’s statement to the network:
I respect the desire to have someone in charge of the RNC who understands the wishes of the conservative grassroots and understands that power resides with the people and not the vested interests in DC. However, the primary role of the RNC chair seems be that of fundraiser-in-chief, and there are others who would probably be much more comfortable asking people for money than I would be, and they would definitely enjoy it more.
Palin is now among the few Republicans in the country to say she isn’t running for RNC chair, a race where the field of candidates is growing by the day.
