First RNC Member Calls For Steele To Resign
NEW ORLEANS -- For the first time since revelations that the RNC had spent some $1,946 at a risque L.A. nightclub, a member of the national body has called on Steele to step aside.
In a letter to Steele dated today, NC GOP chair Tom Fetzer asks the chairman to step aside for what he says is the good of the party.
"I believe that the best service you can render to your party at this critical juncture is to graciously step aside and allow the party to move on from this current quagmire. It will best move forward under new leadership," Fetzer wrote, according to a copy of the letter posted by the Raleigh News and Observer. "I know that many share this view, but are fearful of repercussions if they speak out, and are worried about making matters worse with public in-fighting. It is my view that failing to make this change is the more dangerous course."
"I can attest that many grassroots leaders I've talked to in the last few weeks are very aware of the recurring drama that is playing out at the RNC - allegations of fiscal irresponsibility, management and questionable activities - and they are disgruntled and concerned that the RNC, under your direction, is setting a poor example of the kind of leadership voters can expect if Republicans are elected," Fetzer added.
Fetzer joins others, like former Steele consultant Alex Castellanos, who have called for the chairman to step aside. But Fetzer's voice matters to others; he is a member of the 168-person national committee, meaning he will have a vote when Steele comes up for re-election next year (Fetzer was not chairman when Steele was elected last Jan.).
So far, RNC members have been hesitant to call on Steele to step aside. Only Dr. Ada Fisher, NC's national committeewoman, had urged Steele to resign, albeit months ago. Fisher has little following on the committee, and Fetzer, as a new member, may not have much. Still, while veteran RNC members have said there is no appetite within the committee to throw Steele out, consensus is that once a few members began to call for his resignation, the chorus could grow.
Already, several other RNC members have reached out to Fetzer, they tell Hotline OnCall. And if any serious move begins, it could gain traction at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference this weekend; a dozen or more RNC members, including many of Steele's most vocal critics, are expected to attend the event.
Can someone please tell us why the other two members of the RNC who we at Voyeur that night are being protected? People have been fired, asked to quit and resigned because of this scandal but these two people are being protected. Why? Is it because they are from California and California is the biggest donor state for the RNC and the RNC doesn't want attention drawn to these people so that we California donors keep giving them our money? Many of us want to know if our California RNC representatives where there. Where they?
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