RNC shake-up: Steele asks for resignations

Top staffers at the Republican National Committee were told to submit their resignations today, with some being told they will not get their jobs back in what insiders call a top-to-bottom review of the
entire organization.

State victory directors will be jobless after tomorrow, according to sources inside the RNC, while other staffers in the political and communications departments have been told they may be rehired.

{mosads}The moves are the first major staffing decisions made under new RNC chairman Michael Steele. Steele ousted former chairman Robert “Mike” Duncan and outlasted four other candidates last Friday to capture the chairmanship.

“You know, the chairman reserves the right to make decisions that reflect his vision and leadership,” said one RNC staffer who had to turn in a resignation letter today.

Still, the staffer quipped: “It is starting to feel like the Steele-your-job administration.”

Steele and his transition team were in town Thursday for a dinner with his closest supporters. The transition team will work out of the RNC headquarters tomorrow as a complete review of the committee’s staff continues.

“Steele promised significant organizational change which includes significant staff turnover at the RNC and he is going to deliver it,” one source close to the new chairman told The Hill on Thursday night.

“There are some changes at the RNC,” said Jim Greer, chairman of the Florida Republican Party and a member of Steele’s transition team.

“All of the members of the transition team are meeting with people and evaluating each department,” Greer continued. “Across the board, the entire organization is having a top-to-bottom look.”

Greer said the staff cuts may not be over. “Although there are some that are told today, there may be some that are told tomorrow and some that won’t be told at all,” he said.