This just in from the “If it is broke, get rid of the rest of them” file. RNC Chair Michael Steele is contemplating shutting off RNC funds from the three moderate Republican Senators that supported the stimulus package. Michael, I know you have got to walk a fine line between your moderate tendencies (see the 2006 MD Senate race) and your need to project a hard line for the true believers of the RNC leadership that put you into office a couple of weeks ago, but seriously… do you really expect to win (or maintain) the Senate seats you currently have in 2010 with this course of action?
Look at the states involved… 1) Maine will NEVER vote a hard-line conservative for any seat at any time while the earth revolves around the sun. So, at best, you tick off two senior women members of the United States Senate… 1/2 of the Republican women you have in the upper House of Congress. 2) PA has voted in Arlen Specter since you were in middle school. With PA being hit hard by the recession, good luck making a case of NOT helping them out financially.
Fielding conservatives to run primaries against moderate Republican incumbents was a disaster in 2008. In your home state of Maryland, Andy Harris beat Wayne Gilchrest in the primary only to lose to a Democrat in November. Turns out Gilchrest would have easily won re-election so that worked out really well for the Republican Party.
The way to take back the majority is to find a message that resonates with the American people, not fighting each over the crumbs that are left over. Win, Baby, Win!
Faculty, Department of Political Science, Towson University. Graduate from Liberty University Seminary.