Another RNC Member Jumps Ship

UPDATED: New Hampshire Republican National Committeeman Sean Mahoney today handed in his resignation to Chairman Michael Steele, and blamed the recent scandal over RNC funds being used at a bondage-themed nightclub behind his decision to quit.

Update: It seems as though this sudden resignation was a surprise even to the New Hampshire GOP establishment.

New Hampshire National Committeewoman writes FrumForum to say that she is "frankly dismayed and surprised that Sean did not discuss this with me and I am still waiting to hear from our State Chairman, John Sununu, to see if he was aware of this situation."

Posted at 3:42pm

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New Hampshire Republican National Committeeman Sean Mahoney handed in his resignation today to Chairman Michael Steele, calling the beleaguered RNC "unaccountable and irresponsible" in its handling of donor money.  In an open letter titled "Protest Resignation," Mahoney blamed the recent scandal over RNC funds being used at a bondage-themed nightclub as the "last straw" behind his decision to quit:

The scandal represents a pattern of unaccountable and irresponsible mishaps that ought to unnerve every fiscal conservative. Overspending on private planes, limousines, remodeling, catered parties and high-priced junkets demonstrates a complete lack of respect for RNC donors; a lack of respect that was spelled out all too clearly in a leaked PowerPoint presentation that mocked our Committee’s own donors.

Mahoney also expressed disenchantment with the Republican Party's support of TARP, and the "out-of-touch, free-spending culture of Washington" that has "seeped into our own national party."

In his resignation letter, Mahoney directly and publicly confronted Chairman Steele, giving voice to those in the party who are increasingly restless about the Chairman's tenure, saying: "Mr. Chairman, do I have to remind you that the Republican Party is supposed to be the conservative party?"

Mahoney is one of three members of the New Hampshire delegation to the Republican National Committee. The other two members of the delegation, Chairman John Sununu and National Committeewoman Phyllis Woods, have not yet responded to FrumForum requests for comment.

But is Sean Mahoney making a principled stand or is he taking advantage of a resignation he would have had to make anyway? As New Hampshire's Union Leader reports, Mahoney is widely seen as a contender for the seat in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional district. If he wants to run, he would have had to resign from his post at the RNC.

Update: National Journal points out that Mahoney's resignation is not exactly a paragon of self-sacrifice:

... The letter, first posted by the New Hampshire Union Leader, isn't necessary in the first place. National committeemembers are elected by state parties; anyone who resigns would by rule have to submit their resignation to a state party rather than a national party, suggesting Mahoney wanted the press hit.