RNC hopefuls descend on DC

As many as eight candidates
hoping to chair the Republican National Committee (RNC) will attend a three-day
meeting hosted by top conservative groups in a bid to win support in advance of
January elections for the post.

This week’s gathering of
state-based conservative groups, hosted by Americans for Tax Reform and the
American Conservative Union, will serve as the unofficial first cattle call of
the brief campaign. The RNC is scheduled to elect a chairman at its annual
meeting just after President-elect Barack Obama is inaugurated.

{mosads}“In this new
political landscape, a forward thinking conversation is necessary to focus on
strategy, lessons learned, and how best to advance our ideas in the coming
years,” reads the invitation, a copy of which was obtained by The Hill. 

“The meeting is
not an occasion to complain about the past, hear national pundits opining,
provide a national manifesto, or endorse a future candidate. It is an
opportunity to discuss what has worked and what will work moving forward,” the
invite said.

The event is “an
opportunity to talk about the success and the records of the candidates out
there,” said a GOP source working closely with one candidate. “It allows people
who are closest to politics on the ground, the state leaders, to see what these
candidates have done.”

Participants will
attend a strategy session on Wednesday and attend one of three dinners hosted
by conservative groups around town. On Thursday, invited guests will hear from
experts on reaching new audiences and on succeeding in the new political
landscape.

While the state
leadership meeting will be important for RNC candidates, the main event is set
for Thursday night, when committee members will attend a final Christmas party hosted
by the vice president at the Naval Observatory.

“With all due
respect to ATR, that is the cattle call,” said the GOP official.

Those seen as active
or potential candidates for chair have been invited, and five have told
organizers that they will attend. South Carolina Republican Party chairman
Katon Dawson, Michigan GOP chief Saul Anuzis, former Maryland Lieutenant
Governor Michael Steele, former Tennessee Republican Party chair Chip
Saltsman and Mike Duncan, who
currently chairs the national committee, are slotted to be present. 

Texas Republican
Party chair Tina Benkiser, former Michigan National Committeeman Chuck Yob,
Office of Management and Budget Director Jim Nussle have not responded yet. All three are
considering their own bids, though none have made official announcements. One
more potential candidate, Florida Republican Party chairman Jim Greer, will not
attend.