“RNC” on The Daily Caller

RNC Chair Michael Steele is claiming credit for the Republican wave in 2010, but he was just along for the ride — literally. Spending the last months of the campaign season driving around the country in a bus on his magical mystery tour, Steele may have been inhaling the spirit of Ken Kesey and his Merry Pranksters, but he sure wasn’t leading the party where it mattered — in fundraising or field operations. The only person who promised more and delivered less in the last two years was Bernie Madoff. (more)

In the lead up to the Nov. 2 midterm elections, Michael Steele took a nationwide bus tour, boosting enthusiasm among Republican voters while conveniently meeting with the RNC members whose votes he would need for reelection. (more)

By now every observer of American politics is familiar with the phrase “Fire Nancy Pelosi,” especially the soon-to-be-former speaker herself. But even the wonkiest of political creatures will be surprised to learn how a software algorithm led to that meme entering the political landscape. What is bound to shock data-driven technology people is that many Republican insiders completely disagreed with the data, and thought that a campaign targeting Speaker Pelosi wouldn’t ignite public ire. This is the inside story of how Speaker Pelosi found herself the target of the brand of politics she has practiced for years, and how this may well be the year that consumer technologies chose a winning political message; it is also a warning tale to people in the public opinion and mobilization businesses. (more)

1.) Romney joins growing chorus of anti-something-something conservatives — The number of conservatives who are opposed to the tax cut deal is growing. On Monday, Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney joined radio host Hugh Hewitt, the Washington Post’s Charles Krauthammer, and Senators Tom Coburn and Jim DeMint in opposing the bill on the grounds that “the temporary nature of the taxrate extension would limit the positive economic impact and correspondingly make the deficit worse,” writes The Daily Caller’s Jon Ward. Romney, like the others mentioned above, has also raised red flags about unfunded spending contained in the bill. Coincidentally, you could say the same thing about Romneycare. (more)

Michael Steele announced publicly Monday, via Fox News’ “On The Record,” his intention to run for a second term as chairman of the Republican National Committee. (more)

Former Iowa Republican Gentry Collins announced today he was seeking the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee. (more)

1.) Michael Steele decides that he has done enough damage to the RNC — It appears that RNC Chairman Michael Steele spent some time reviewing his contributions to the health and wealth of the Republican Party this past weekend. What else could have catalyzed his decision–forthcoming tonight, a little birdie told FOX News–to not run for a second term as RNC failman? According to FOX, Steele “sent an e-mail to committee members Saturday night with the subject line, ‘conference call,’ in which “he asked members to join him ‘for a private conference call’ Monday evening.” Perhaps Steele will review his greatest hits before bowing out? Or maybe he has plans to anoint a successor! All we know is that the field of Steele challengers (Reince Priebus, Ann Wagner, Maria Cino, Saul Anuzis, and Gentry Collins, oh my!) will all need to find new campaign slogans: “I’m NOT Michael Steele” isn’t going to cut it now! (more)

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele is expected to announce he will drop out of the highly contested race to keep his post, sources told FoxNews.com on Sunday. (more)

An ally of Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele has resigned as the committee’s top lawyer, likely to prepare to run for chairman himself. (more)

If a theme song were chosen for the first Republican National Committee chairman debate it would’ve been the O’Jays ditty “For The Love of Money” that goes “Money! Money! Money! Money!” (more)

Another candidate has officially jumped into the race to run for chairman of the Republican National Committee. (more)

Another Republican insider is gunning for RNC Chairman Michael Steele’s job. (more)

Finally, it’s time to vote. But there’s a full day left to wait for results. In the meantime, here are three dominant political themes for the days ahead. (more)

With the GOP poised to win big in November, Vanity Fair has created a photo-shopped, softly-pornographic calendar of some top Republican leaders in scandalous poses and garb — or rather no garb. (more)

Are Sarah Palin and Michael Steele an item? (more)

Saturday Night Live embarked upon its 36th season this weekend by devoting its “cold open” to Delaware GOP Senate nominee Christine O’Donnell. O’Donnell’s unlikely primary victory drew national attention and a surge of focus on her past, which is receiving continued reflection thanks to the reairing of her numerous television appearances on shows like “Politically Incorrect,” “Scarborough Country” and “The O’Reilly Factor.” (more)

RNC Chairman Michael Steele stepped out of his “Fire Pelosi” bus at a shopping plaza in Orlando to wild applause this afternoon, and issued a energetic rallying cry. “Now is the time for us to put it all on the line,” he said. The bus tour started in D.C. on Wednesday and is traveling the country. Tomorrow, it rolls to Tampa, St. Petersburg and the Villages. (more)

Truly, if you think about it for a second, isn’t it ironic, don’t you think? (more)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Republican Party Chairman Ken Mehlman says in a magazine interview that he is gay. (more)

On the surface, the RNC's financial problems aren't that bad. Yes, the party is raising less than it has in previous years, but they don't control the WH or Congress. And with a little more than $8M on hand after debts, the RNC actually has more to spend than the DNC, which has just over $7M after accounting for debts. (more)