Wagner Launches RNC Chair Bid
The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza reports:
Former ambassador to Luxembourg Ann Wagner entered the race for the Republican National Committee chairmanship Monday, becoming the second candidate to launch a potential challenge to Chairman Michael Steele.
In a video posted to her Web site, the former RNC co-chairwoman and Missouri GOP chairwoman pitches herself as the cure for the committee's financial woes. The RNC finds itself in a large amount of debt and struggled to fund the party's winning efforts down the stretch of the Nov. 2 election.
"2012 will be a challenging election cycle," Wagner said. "The RNC needs to be funded to its maximum obligations. We must be efficient, relevant, professional and credible. We must start immediately to erase past debate and restore the confidence of our donor base."
Wagner, like others eyeing the chairmanship, declined to criticize the chairman personally, but made plenty of allusions to the problems that have occurred on his watch.
Wagner also called for greater responsibility and transparency in the RNC's budget - a pretty direct shot at the myriad financial problems that have occurred on Steele's watch.
Those budget woes were detailed in a letter by recently resigned former RNC political director Gentry Collins, who is considering joining Wagner in the race for the chairmanship.
The only other candidate who has officially entered the race is former Michigan GOP chairman Saul Anuzis. Wisconsin GOP Chairman Reince Priebus and former RNC official Maria Cino have both taken steps toward a run, and other potential candidates include former RNC chairman Mike Duncan, Connecticut GOP Chairman Chris Healy, California GOP Chairman Ron Nehring and Republican Governors Association Executive Director Nick Ayers.
Former senator Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) has said he might run, but only if Steele does not.
Steele has yet to say whether he will run for a second two-year term, but many expect him to.
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