Not Ezra Klein:
EzraKlein Archive | The American Prospect: When the GOP appears set to dump its first African-American leader mere weeks into his tenure in favor of a member of an all-white country club, it's hard for schadenfreude not to turn into genuine pity and concern. Obviously, this was in large part Steele's own doing, but it's fairly tragic that he flamed out the way he did, and that Katon Dawson, of all people, is his natural successor.
And commenter:
I think it's admirable of you to acknowledge the tragedy here. That said, it's not that hard for me to blow right past tragedy, through tragicomedy, and straight to black comedy. Steele has, apparently, complete disdain for where he came from, or he wouldn't have been in the running for the post anyway (nor would he have been chosen). Anyone with half a brain in that position knows you have to be on top of your game to shoot your stupid mouth off the way he has and prevail. He's a loser and not a nice guy. Screw him.
Ben Armbruster:
Think Progress: Katon Dawson, Former Member Of Whites-Only Club, Is Leading Charge For No-Confidence Vote In Steele (Updated): Last week, in a memo to her fellow RNC members yesterday, Dr. Ada Fisher said Steele is “‘eroding confidence’ in the GOP and that members of his transition team should encourage him to step aside.” Now, it appears Steele will face a no-confidence vote and South Carolina GOP leader Katon Dawson — Steele’s former rival for RNC chair — may be leading the charge:
Republican insiders tell Political Wire that a no confidence vote on RNC Chairman Michael Steele is likely to be called after the NY-20 special election on March 31 — regardless of whether Republicans win the seat or not. Katon Dawson, who came in second in the January RNC vote, is said to be quietly organizing a vote and is getting the support of several state party chairmen who want to dump Steele.
The RNC won praise following Steele’s victory for electing its first African-American chairman. Former Bush aide and RNC chair Ed Gillespie said his election “injected a shot of adrenaline into the party” and that Steele can open the GOP “to minorities and white moderates.” But now, in going with Dawson, the GOP appears to be heading back to what it knows and ditching its first African-American chairman for someone who, until recently, was a member of a whites-only country club...
