RNC chairman Duncan abandons re-election bid

Even though this doesn't have anything to do with President Obama per se, I felt obliged to include it due to it's importance on the Presidential political process. - Ed.

By LIZ SIDOTI,
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – Mike Duncan, former President George W. Bush's hand-picked national party chairman, abandoned his re-election bid Friday after his support steadily erode over three rounds of balloting, ensuring a fresh face at the beleaguered GOP's helm.

"Obviously the winds of change are blowing," Duncan said as he withdrew from the race and got a standing ovation. The Kentucky Republican thanked Bush and said of his two-year tenure: "It truly has been the highlight of my life."

The move scrambled a field now down to four as the Republican National Committee moved ahead with a fourth round of balloting, with candidates seeking to reach the 85-vote majority threshold to become the new chairman. Whoever wins will inherit a party trying to recover after crushing defeats in back-to-back elections that saw Democrats take control of Congress and the White House.

Duncan dropped out without endorsing a candidate.

After three rounds, former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele and South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson had momentum on their side, having gained votes with each tally. Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis' support was holding steady, while former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell was trailing.

Thus far, only Duncan has dropped out and thrown his support behind another, though behind-the-scenes negotiations among aides to all the candidates were in full swing. The field is expected to narrow further the more rounds of voting there are, and that means seemingly anyone could end up with a majority.

The results of the first three rounds boded poorly for Duncan, whose lost votes at every turn while Steele and Dawson gained. From the start of the voting, the majority of the RNC cast votes that indicate members want a new direction under a fresh leader, rather than a chairman who is linked to the unpopular former president. Sphere: Related Content