RNC Shocker: Boehner Backs Cino for RNC Chair

FF has learned that in an unprecedented move, House Speaker Boehner has officially endorsed RNC chair candidate Maria Cino.

FrumForum has learned that in an unprecedented move, House Speaker John Boehner has officially endorsed RNC chair candidate Maria Cino, just as RNC members gather in Maryland for the first day of their annual winter meeting.

We can also report that Boehner has made calls to at least about half a dozen RNC members in the last week. With these very public efforts, it becomes clear that Speaker Boehner has made this internal Republican Party race a priority at the beginning of his tenure.

In a letter passed along by a Republican National Committeemember, Boehner tried to stress a respectful tone:

I respect that the choice of RNC Chairman is yours alone to make.  But having spent the last two years traveling the country to meet with activists, candidates, donors and voters to help elect Republicans, I hope you will permit me to make some observations about that choice…

I have worked closely with Maria for almost twenty years, during which time she turned around the NRCC to usher in the first Republican majority in the House in 40 years.  She served as CEO of the 2008 National Convention, which I chaired, and made it into one of the most successful in party history.  I have learned firsthand that she is an unparalleled fundraiser and a very efficient manager of resources.  She’s also exceptionally politically savvy and knows what it takes to win.

As you meet this week to make this important decision, I respectfully ask you to support Maria Cino for RNC Chairman.

This letter is in combination with the calls that Boehner has made to at least a half a dozen RNC members.

An aide to Rep. Mike Pompeo, the only Congressman also on the Republican National Committee, confirmed to FrumForum that Speaker Boehner had talked to Pompeo about the RNC race. Pompeo has endorsed Maria Cino for the RNC chairmanship.

FrumForum has also confirmed that Speaker Boehner made phone calls to the RNC’s Pennsylvania delegation, including calls to National Committeewoman Christine Toretti , National Committeeman Bob Asher and State Chairman Robert Gleason.

It’s been previously reported also that Boehner called Connecticut state chairman Chris Healy to request his support. Healy later decided to endorse Michigan National Committeeman Saul Anuzis.

FrumForum made calls to an additional several others who were supposedly called by Speaker Boehner, but received no response from them. An RNC member tells FrumForum that the Speaker has made more calls than those listed above, but declined to name names.

Politico also reported this morning that Boehner will further support Cino’s candidacy by hosting a cocktail reception later this evening.

Making calls and officially endorsing in a RNC race is a remarkable move for a Republican speaker. One might be left to wonder why Boehner has waded into an intraparty debate so early on in his time as Speaker of the House.

Further, the impact of Boehner’s endorsement is up in the air. “It’s one thing if people on the Committee are asking you to support X, but historically, [an outside endorsement] doesn’t hunt,” David Norcross, a long-time former RNC member from New Jersey, told FrumForum yesterday.

Norcross, who ran for RNC chair in 1997 and now supports Reince Preibus for chair, tells FrumForum that former House Minority Leader Bob Michel and former Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole had once offered to write him a letter of support. “And I said, don’t do that! Please don’t do that,” recalls Norcross, “if you know these people, call them!”

But FrumForum calls to the twelve RNC members publicly supporting Cino indicated strong bedrock support – many of them have known Maria Cino for many years. This means a higher chance of delegate retention for the Cino campaign, which matters as the race is expected to extend over many rounds of balloting.

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Speaker Boehner's Letter to RNC Members:

January 12, 2011

Dear RNC Member:

After the election last fall in which voters chose to return a Republican majority to the House of Representatives another consequential election is upon us.  This time you will make the choice that determines the future for our party, the ideas it exists to support and, ultimately, our country.

I respect that the choice of RNC Chairman is yours alone to make.  But having spent the last two years traveling the country to meet with activists, candidates, donors and voters to help elect Republicans, I hope you will permit me to make some observations about that choice.

Republicans won our majority because we assured voters that we would take a broken institution and lead the common-sense changes needed to make it work again for them.  We would become better stewards of their money, changing how the House of Representatives operated to increase transparency, accountability and sound fiscal management.  Immediately after I was sworn in as Speaker, we passed a package of rules that were the first step in making good on that promise.

I believe the RNC also needs new leadership to institute critical changes that will ensure it can once again work effectively for our party and its candidates.  Under recent leadership it has been financially mismanaged, insufficiently accountable, and badly lagging in voter programs and the use of technology.  If we continue to follow this path, we will put our ability to win the White House and the Senate, and maintain our House majority, at risk.

The race for RNC Chairman includes several experienced individuals with histories of service to our country and our party who want to take on this challenge.  But one of them stands out as having the most experience in leading the type change the RNC leadership needs: Maria Cino.

I have worked closely with Maria for almost twenty years, during which time she turned around the NRCC to usher in the first Republican majority in the House in 40 years.  She served as CEO of the 2008 National Convention, which I chaired, and made it into one of the most successful in party history.  I have learned firsthand that she is an unparalleled fundraiser and a very efficient manager of resources.  She’s also exceptionally politically savvy and knows what it takes to win.

Maria’s experience combined with her plans to register new voters, invest in technology and support state party programs will assure donors that their money will produce results.  Under her leadership as Chairman, I am confident the RNC will once again raise and effectively spend the funds needed to win the battle of ideas with President Obama and his Democrat allies.

As you meet this week to make this important decision, I respectfully ask you to support Maria Cino for RNC Chairman.

Sincerely,

John A. Boehner