Steele’s Fate Likely Hinges on NY-20

[ccharles000]

As controversy swirls around Michael Steele’s drama-laden debut as Republican National Committee Chairman, speculation about whether he’ll remain in the post has blossomed among Democrats and Republicans alike. Steele won the chairmanship in January after a six-ballot marathon that saw the previous Chairman, Mike Duncan, drop out after the third ballot and saw Steele best southerner Katon Dawson 91-77 on the final vote.

According to multiple former high-level RNC staffers familiar with the dynamics involved, Steele is unlikely to survive in the post if favored Republican Jim Tedisco loses his open-seat race to Democrat Scott Murphy. The special election, scheduled for March 31, is to fill a vacancy left when Kirsten Gillibrand took Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat.

If Tedisco loses, the ex-staffers said, “Steele is done.”

Completely, definitively?

“Absolutely.”

By contrast, they said, the recent financial allegations against Steele are unlikely to bring about a resignation unless there’s a serious smoking gun that catches Steele in specific awareness or direction of any shady doings. It’s a mens rea standard.

As for NY-20, Republican registration in the district outnumbers Democratic registration, and Jim Tedisco is a longtime New York State legislator who is extremely well known compared to the younger Murphy. Polling has shown Tedisco comfortably ahead.

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/03/steeles-fate-likely-hinges-on-ny-20.html

[Clio the Leo]

1. Please no, we NEED this guy!!!! He's done WONDERS for the party so far! NT

[LiberalFighter]

3. I can't make up my mind whether the Republican or Democrat should win the seat.

Such a hard decision. Either way could be consider a win.

[PBS Poll-435]

2. This saddens me greatly

:cry::cry::cry:




















:evilgrin: