Republicans’ Dilemma: Michael Steele’s Replacement
Six Politics Daily writers offer their thoughts — some serious, some whimsical. You be the judge which is which.
Jill Lawrence: GO NORTH, GO FEMALE
The next chairman of the RNC will serve at a time when the party’s 2012 presidential hopefuls will be in the spotlight. Keeping that in mind, Republicans might want to choose a party chair who has demonstrated skills as an executive or administrator, and not worry too much about charisma. Ideally, their new chairman would be a chairwoman, as a way of addressing a persistent gender gap. And she would not be a Southerner. That region is already strong for the GOP. The party needs someone who can reach out and look to the future. Here are two prospects:
Maria Cino: A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Cino has decades of experience in leadership positions in the Republican Party and in the federal government. She was acting transportation secretary and deputy transportation secretary in George W. Bush’s administration. She’s also been executive director of the National Republican Congressional Committee, national political director of the 2000 Bush campaign and deputy chairman of the RNC. In 2008 she was president and chief executive of the Republican convention; her management skills won rave reviews from local authorities. Cino is currently a lobbyist for Pfizer. That’s a downside in this climate, but not fatal when compared with her qualifications for this job.
Jodi Rell: Rell has been governor of Connecticut since mid-2004 and is not running for re-election. An ethics crusader and fiscal conservative, she served 10 years in the state House and nearly a decade as lieutenant governor before a scandal toppled Gov. John Rowland and she ascended to his job. Rell’s conservative credentials include vetoing a repeal of the death penalty and trying to block creation of a public health insurance plan in her state (it passed over her veto). Rell was mentioned as a possible vice presidential contender in 2008. Among her credentials to head the RNC: She’s very popular in a region where the GOP desperately wants and needs to make a comeback.
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7/7/10
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