GOP aides warn RNC: It’s time for Steele to shut up

Dude, he’s gone rogue.

Although RNC Research Director Jeff Berkowitz originally defended the campaign committee and Steele, aides ultimately acknowledged that they have little control over the former Maryland lieutenant governor and that they are not in charge of lining up his media appearances while he is promoting his book.

“Their response was, ‘We’re not booking the book stuff,’” a second GOP Senate aide said. And while RNC staff said they would try to get Steele “back on message,” this Senate aide said the frustration goes well beyond Steele’s latest statement [that the GOP can't take back the House this year], charging that he is using his position at the RNC to line his own pockets rather than raise much-needed campaign cash.

“Republicans at all levels have been working day and night to build a wave, and every time we turn around the guy standing on the surfboard is busy trying to collect admission to watch him ride,” the aide said, arguing that “he has an agenda of his own that isn’t reflected by the goals of the party as a whole.”

Republicans said there’s a growing concern that Steele is catering to conservative activists and others who may not have the party’s best interests at heart. Steele mounted an unsuccessful bid for Senate in 2006, running as a moderate.

“He’s talking like he’s some kind of tea partier … when [in 2006] he was THE most moderate candidate we had in the field. That was his whole thing, and he had no problem trashing [former President George W.] Bush and others for being too conservative,” one GOP aide said.

So wait. The concern on the Hill isn’t with the fact that he’s going around telling his critics to get a life and saying moronic things about how he’s not sure the GOP’s ready to lead? Rather, the concern is over the way he’s … downplaying expectations at a moment of political uncertainty and trying to coopt a political movement that’s now polling better than both major parties? Suddenly it’s painfully clear to me why the GOP is where it is. Meanwhile, the Wash Times reported earlier today that some big donors are so fed up with him that they’re boycotting donations to the RNC going forward and sticking to Republican congressional and state fundraising instead. Again, his self-promotion seems to be the sticking point:

“I am not here to beat up on an RNC chairman,” former Republican National Committee Chairman Jim Nicholson told The Times, “because I know how big and important the job is and what opportunities can be created.”

“But that is just the point – under those circumstances, I do not see how a chairman can do book tours and give speeches for fees that go to him and not the RNC, which needs more money badly,” said Mr. Nicholson, who was President George W. Bush’s secretary of veterans affairs.

“You cannot serve two masters in that job,” Mr. Nicholson said. “I think when elected, you agree to give the RNC and its mission 100 percent of your efforts.”

Presumably the next misstep will end with some sort of coup attempt by RNC members. Exit question: What’s Steele’s game here? I can’t quite believe he’s doing all this simply to sell books. Having a prominent role in the party is worth more to him long term than any royalties he’ll earn now. Is he trying to ingratiate himself with tea partiers ahead of some future run for office? Because, judging from our commenters, he’s got a long way to go.

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