E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSOver the weekend, newly installed Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus fired former chairman Michael Steele’s Tampa convention liaison.
"We are committed to holding a world-class 2012 Republican National Convention that will be worthy of the next President of the United States,” Priebus said in a statement. “There are some changes that need to be made to ensure a successful convention. Those changes start today. I have discontinued the employment of the convention liaison and the employees of the Committee on Arrangements, effective immediately. I look forward to bringing on top-notch staff and planning a convention that all Republicans, especially our 2012 Presidential nominee, can be proud of."
The liaison was Belinda Cook, a former Steele assistant. She was making $15,000 a month with a $25K bonus, according to The Washington Post. Calculating that out over 12 months, equates to a yearly salary of $205,000. That’s just $20,000 less than the chairman of the RNC makes.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
The move is likely aimed as a first step to restore the faith of the committee’s major donors. Priebus is going to need them to open up their wallets for the 2012 cycle. He’s facing a debt of $21 million. He has pledged to raise $400 million over the next two years.
Steele’s six-figure deal
Unlike the 2009 RNC election, Friday’s election was mostly without drama, except for one moment: Steele’s bowing out. Most didn’t see it coming just then. Observers knew that Steele was angling for a deal, and he was seen coming out of rooms Friday between votes with other candidates.
But Hotline’s Reid Wilson has a little more on what Steele may have gotten in return for his endorsement:
“That endorsement came at a cost, according to committee insiders. As candidates jockeyed for position, Steele sat down with aides to both Cino and former RNC co-chairman Ann Wagner in search of a deal. Eventually, Cino allies offered Steele a deal that would have been more lucrative than the chairman's salary, the sources said. The RNC chairman makes $224,500 a year. Whether the deal included guarantees of contracts or of future employment was not immediately clear to sources who spoke with The Hotline.”
We’ll see where he winds up.
Leave a Comment:
I sincerely hope that the House finally gets past it’s ‘symbolic’ repeal of Health Care Reform very soon and moves on to those things that are REALLY important to Republicans and Conservatives everywhere:
Job-killing Abortion
Job-killing Same-Sex Marriage
Job-killing Legalization of Pot
Job-killing Prayer in School
Job-killing Mosques at Ground Zero
And many, many more.
Seems like an obscene wage to coordinate a big party. I know that it is an important event for both parties but $205,000 a year?
It may seem that way, Jody, but it really is not.
I have a friend who is an event planner, and trust me, she makes good money. Considering all of the aggravation involved, it is not a job I would ever want.
And she will not do weddings! She did when she first started out, but she hired a wedding planner for her daughter's wedding. She said, "I didn't like brides when I WAS one. Too emotional. Too self obsessed. Too fixated on perfect."
Still, it was a nice wedding. . .
RNC again?
Really.
What is this 12 in a row?
Sorry, Bob. That was the biggest political story Friday and we're following up on Priebus's first moves that came over the weekend. We also have a 2012 Roundup as well as reporting by Pete Williams on the Loughner trial, for your reading pleasure. Enjoy.
2012 Roundup: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/01/17/5859206-2012-roundup-
'Federal authorities' don't want to move Loughner trial: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/01/17/5859240-federal-authorities-dont-want-to-move-loughner-trial
They may not WANT to move it, but they are not going to have a choice, as all Arizona federal judges have,properly, recused themselves.
Don't mind Bob - Domenico!
He made a wrong turn when heading for the Drudge Report and has ended up here...
Hey Bob - you & NJNB got any more Churchill 'quotes' to entertain us with again today?
The ones from Friday kinda fell flat... lol
That's much better Bob!
After your 'sloppy' performance on Friday it's understandable why you slithered away in shame!
Good to see you haven't lost your 'touch'! lol
Yes, i am drunk. In the morning, I will be sober, but you, miss, will still be ugly.
And, yes, it is a paraphrase.
Of course, there is still the conversation with Lady Astor, who told him, " were I married to you, I would put poison in your coffee.". Churchill replied, " were I married to you, I would drink it."
My favorite is still " A liberal is a man with both feet planted firmly in the air."
If he could read this board, he would be disappointed to see how right he was. . .
Or in this case, a conservative woman who goes by the name of Sarah Palin! ;o)
My personal favorite Churchill quote:
"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
Wow, I had forgotten about that. Failed to realize that you and Matthew snuck back 2 days later to sneak a retort in. And I slithered away huh?
Anyway, about that "sloppy" performance....
From Norcal2
Had to almost go out and buy a Slurpee for myself after that compliment.
OK- I'm voting for Dangerfied:
"My wife cut me off to once a month. But hey- I shouldn't feel bad. Some guys I know- she cut off ALTOGETHER!"
Original comment Feisty, really original......
do't you know that the Dude-in-Chief has asked for civility in discourse today? You should try it.
Reince Priebus
Politics aside, try saying his name 5 times real fast. Even if you succeed, don't you find it seems as though you've just eaten oatmeal?
That is the best you have? Making fun of the man's name?
And liberals wonder why nobody takes them seriously any more. . .
Heck, it would be just as funny if he was a dem. Lighten up and laugh. As I've said in the past, the worst thing about being a dem or a repub is you have to pretend to be offended at half the political jokes out there.
no joe, no bo, nj
"That is the best you have? Making fun of the man's name?
And liberals wonder why nobody takes them seriously any more. . ."
Boy, I'LL say. Kind of reminds you of 'Oblabba" or "Obummer" or "Obbie" or "Osamma" or... Well, I think you get the idea.
My favorite is "Obamanation" love that one, used in place of abomination.... just awesome....
I like the Dude-in-Chief identifyer that the funny guy tagged him with on national TV!
Political hacks ! At best ! They fool with this ... while the "Grim Weeper " tries to dismantle a health care system ..with nothing to replace it ..which means all the people go back to using the emergency room billed to the tax payers at 3 thousand dollars a visit rather then the 68.00 ..... This is change how? This is business as usual for the GOP !
NotBuying- that would be, more properly, "job-killing" business-as-usual.
A convention fit for a President? What, are they going to host the Democratic convention?
@Matthew... HA... lol.... :)
Here's something funny---If you take-out all the vowels in Reince Priebus name---It says Rnc-- Pr bs...