Tuesday's Starting Lineup
Good Tuesday morning. We're so close to getting out of here for Thanksgiving! But don't worry -- tune in to Hotline OnCall all weekend for the latest news. If it breaks, we'll have it.
Here's OnCall's Starting Lineup -- the people on the hot seat today -- for Tuesday, 11/24:
RNC CHAIR MICHAEL STEELE: The abrupt departure of RNC communications director Trevor Francis has once again opened wounds among those most closely tied to the committee -- and reminded many of Steele's troubled tenure. The latest bump in the road: Steele had sought credit for GOP wins in VA and NJ, but top officials at the RGA and other party committees, and even in Congress, are prepared to box him out.
Steele has now brought on well-respected GOP strategist Alex Castellanos in a senior advisor role as they search for a new communications chief. Sources tell Hotline OnCall that the list is short -- maybe 3 or 4 names, mostly people with a history of working with the chairman -- but the eventual hire will have to pass muster with Steele advisor Curt Anderson, the strategist who guided his campaign.
The real challenge for Steele will be to stop the bleeding now. But we hear more resignations may happen in the coming weeks as staffers follow Francis out the door.
PRES. OBAMA: After a late-night strategy session with key Af-Pak decisionmakers, Obama is said to be ready to make public his plans for turning the war around. Obama is likely to address the nation 12/1, a week from today, making what may prove the longest-lasting decision of his presidency. It will be the economy that wins or loses re-election for Obama, but the war in Afghanistan will play a key role in establishing his legacy, for better or worse.
And while the GOP stands ready to pounce, they will get a big chance to make headlines and score time on national news nets: Gen. Stanley McChrystal and Amb. Karl Eikenberry have been told to prepare to testify before Congress as early as next week. House Armed Services Cmte chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) has called for testimony, and it appears he will get his wish.
(REID WILSON)
FL GOV. CHARLIE CRIST: Crist's first months as a candidate have brought incredible fundraising success, and brought out more anger from the GOP professional class than most thought existed. Simply put, even many who work for a paycheck rather than out of ideology would much rather see ex-FL House Speaker Marco Rubio (R) win the SEN primary, and a surprising number are quietly working toward that goal.
Crist aides told Hotline OnCall the campaign will more directly engage Rubio, who has attacked the Gov from the right. Now, Crist himself is echoing the line, in an interview with the St. Pete Times' Adam Smith. Make no mistake, Crist remains the overwhelming front-runner in the GOP primary, but how he gets to the general election will depend on how he prosecutes his case against Rubio.
Oh, and he's got this handy dandy rumor to deal with too: In the interview with Smith, Crist said there is "zero" chance he will drop out and run for re-election instead. That isn't a story the Crist folks want getting around political circles.