RNC Chairman's Race: What's Next?
Republican National Committee members will be wooed with drinks, snacks and small talk tonight during soirees hosted by the chairman candidates in several of the Capital Hilton's hospitality suites. Before voting begins tomorrow, the candidates will make a final pitch to the members as they gather in regional meetings.
The program begins at 10:30. A few rules and notes of interest:
-- There is no threshold vote number a candidate must get in order to stay in the race. It's up to each individual to determine if and how they exit the contest.
-- As the votes are counted, staffers will have time to rally support for their candidates. That's also when the deal making between camps will likely take place, should someone be willing to bail. Once a ballot tally is announced, there's a mandatory 15-minute break before voting commences again.
-- Members will determine tomorrow if they'll use secret ballots.
Bill Nowling, former comm. dir. for Saul Anuzis at the MI GOP, said that by his count, each candidate needs another candidate's slate to reach the 85-vote majority needed for victory.
"No one can win without a deal," Nowling said.
But no one wanted to talk deals today because, of course, right now, their candidates are all still possible winners. But as the field winnows, expect the negotiating to commence.
"It's a lot like electing the pope," Nowling said. "A bunch of people you've never heard of go in, and after a while, a chairman walks out."
And whatever happens, word at the Hilton is that there's a wedding here tomorrow eve and that the whole RNC show will have to vacate by 6 p.m. Stay tuned.
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
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