As I watched the Republican National Committee chairman's debate, it was clear RNC Chairman Michael Steele has lost his swagga. Truth be told, Steele's claim to street cred was always laughable.
Equally laughable was Steele taking credit for every Republican victory since 2009:
My record stands for itself. We won. I was asked to win elections...We won.
Whatever. I don't think Steele won any new supporters among the 168 members of the Committee who will decide his fate on Jan. 14.
At the same time, I don't think his challengers scored a knockout punch. They took jabs at Steele, but they mostly came across as workhorses who would “work like a dog” and focus on reducing the RNC's $20 million debt.
Still, I think Steele is one and done. He has lost the confidence of major donors and the self-styled hip-hop chairman should know “it's all about the benjamins, baby.”
The bottom line: Steele has worn out his welcome. He doesn't stand a prayer of a chance of winning reelection.
At one point in the debate, Steele said, “All of us are going to need to retire. Sooner than later for some.” That may have been a Freudian slip.
In any case, Steele, a former seminary student, should accept he “ain't got long to steal away.”
