Republicans Don't Need to have Minds of "Steele" to Win

While GOP Party leader, Michael Steele, is out defending and/or apologizing for some verbal, spending, or managerial mistake, Republican leaders are working behind the scenes. Many leaders are going around Steele in an attempt to take control of Congress in the midterm elections this November. Republicans are beginning to rely less on Steele's party headquarters for advice and, in some cases, funds. This decision comes after many episodes involving Steele, or his staff, including controversies over party spending and a party-paid trip to a Hollywood strip club. On Saturday, at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans, Steele recognized the mistakes he and his staff have made. "I'm the first here to admit that I've made mistakes and it's been incumbent on me to take responsibility to shoulder that burden, make the necessary changes and move on," Steele said.

Steele's statement came only days after a letter released by GOP headquarters revealed that only half of Republican National Committee members approve of the job Steele is doing. Many believe that the focus on Steele draws negative attention to Republicans and the GOP when a crucial election is fast approaching. Many Republican candidates are reaching out to other sources for their campaigns instead of the GOP headquarters. Senate Minority Leader, Republican Mitch McConnell, and House Minority Leader, Republican John Boehner, have already started efforts to gain funds from the National Republican Senatorial Committee and National Republican Congressional Committee. While Republicans have refrained from attacking Steele in public, they have offered advice to the leader. However, many have stated that Steele will continue on his own path and handle the issue alone. With less than seven months from the midterm elections, Republicans are focusing their attention on Democrats.

Common Sense- I believe the decision to move away from Steele and the RNC at this time is crucial. I am not saying that Republicans should turn their back on Steele and start attacking him publicly. What I am saying is that Republicans need to focus on the issues at hand and continue to attack the Democrats. They need to keep talking about the issues that are important to the American people and keep the "Steele issue" on the back burner until after the election. Some Republican leaders have called for Steele to step down. I believe this to be a BIG mistake. Asking Steele to step down would only damage the GOP right now, not benefit it. My advice, once again, is for Republicans to focus on the issues that are important, keep Steele on the sideline, and worry about him after the election.