GOP Leaders Seek To Distance Themselves From Michael Steele

Republican leaders in Congress have moved to distance themselves from GOP national chairman Michael Steele, but that job will become more difficult as the spotlight on the midterm election intensifies.

A GOP lawmaker who requested anonymity said the Republican National Committee chairman’s relationship with House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is "not good at all."

The legislator added, "Steele lacks a base of support. The donors, the activists will all drop him if they sense he might squander the electoral opportunity of the decade."

The RNC did not comment for this article.

In an interview with The Hill earlier this month, Boehner said he only talks to the RNC chairman "every month or two." Asked if Steele will have a role in Boehner's effort to release another policy document like the Contract with America, Boehner replied, "No."

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) criticized Steele for holding an RNC retreat in Hawaii while also taking issue with the chairman's initial prediction that the GOP would not take back the House in November.

At the time, Cantor said, "Chairman Steele has a role to play in these elections. Obviously, I have said that I disagree with his statement that we can't take back the House. So, do I want voters to think that Republicans do nothing but go to beach resorts in January? No."

Meanwhile, McConnell declined to defend Steele a couple months ago after the RNC chief made some controversial remarks. McConnell said, "Chairman Steele will be judged on the basis of how much money did he raise and how many candidates did he elect."

More here