Steele Quits as RNC Head

Embattled RNC Chief to Step Down; Talk Show Host Named Replacement

Steele leaves to work on Palin presidential run

Moira Feynt
APS News Service
April 1, 2010

WASHINGTON – According to a press release from the Republican National Committee, Michael Steele, current chairman of the RNC, will step down Friday in order to "join the swelling ranks of Republicans" who would like former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to run for president in 2012.

Steele named Fox News talk show host Sean Hannity as his interim replacement, saying in the release, "I feel Mr. Hannity has the dignity, decency and financial smarts to lead our party to victory in the upcoming elections."

The current chairman has recently been enmeshed in controversy after revelations that he had spent party donations on limousines, private jets, lavish hotel rooms and at least one $2,000 trip to "Voyeur," a Los Angeles lesbian bondage club.

However, Steele denies in the press release that he is leaving due to those problems; rather, he says, "I have talked to Gov. Palin and felt it was time to put my full attention toward the task of obtaining the Republican nomination for her. I could not be Mr. Hyde for her while I was Dr. Jekyll for the RNC."

Brad Sneerdrip, a spokesman for Hannity, said, "Mr. Hannity will bring to this position the same professionalism and honesty he shows in his best-selling books and his award-winning television news work."

© 2010 RS Janes. LTSaloon.org.