Silver Linings For Saltsman

By Kleinheider Posted on December 29, 2008 at 8:02 am

Despite a recent PR disaster, Chip Saltsman’s run for RNC chair could get new life at a special meeting of the RNC called in advance of the vote for chair at the end of January:

Several RNC watchers who did not sign on to the meeting but who support it nonetheless say the meeting is a victory for those running to unseat incumbent chairman Mike Duncan. The meeting will give the other five prominent candidates an opportunity to campaign amongst the 168 voting national committee members in advance of the election, which takes place during the last weekend in January.

A candidate forum is the sole agenda item aside from procedural matters to call the meeting to order.

When voting begins, Duncan is expected to start the first round of voting with the highest total, though the incumbent is not expected to reach the 85 votes necessary to win outright.

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Tags: Barack the Magic Negro, Chip Saltsman, Ken Blackwell, Magic Negro, Mike Duncan, RNC, RNC Chairman, RNC Chairman's race  

RNC Chair Piles On Saltsman

By Kleinheider Posted on December 27, 2008 at 3:17 pm

The man Chip Saltsman is trying to dethrone as chairman of the Republican National committee has added his voice to those denouncing the former RNC chair for including a racially inflammatory piece of political satire in his Christmas present to executive committee members:

“The 2008 election was a wake-up call for Republicans to reach out and bring more people into our party. I am shocked and appalled that anyone would think this is appropriate as it clearly does not move us in the right direction.”

However, Ken Blackwell, another candidate for chair and an African American, defends Saltsman:

“Unfortunately, there is hypersensitivity in the press regarding matters of race. This is in large measure due to President-Elect Obama being the first African-American elected president. I don’t think any of the concerns that have been expressed in the media about any of the other candidates for RNC chairman should disqualify them. When looked at in the proper context, these concerns are minimal. All of my competitors for this leadership post are fine people.”

UPDATE 3:53PM: Saltsman responds:

“Liberal Democrats and their allies in the media didn’t utter a word about David Ehrenstein’s irresponsible column in the Los Angeles Times last March. But now, of course, they’re shocked and appalled by its parody on the Rush Limbaugh Show.

“I firmly believe that we must welcome all Americans into our party and that the road to Republican resurgence begins with unity, not division. But I know that our party leaders should stand up against the media’s double standards and refuse to pander to their desire for scandal.”

MORE ON THE SALTSMAN CONTRO:
The Other McCain
NY Times
Washington Post
J.P. Freire
Moderate Voice
Tim Chavez
Knoxviews
Pensito Review
James Richardson

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Tags: Barack the Magic Negro, Chip Saltsman, Ken Blackwell, Magic Negro, Mike Duncan, RNC, RNC Chairman, RNC Chairman's race, satire