Gary Emineth Considering Bid For National RNC Chairman

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Written By:
Rob Port

Jul 3, 2010
10:53am

Earlier this week I broke the news that NDGOP Chairman Gary Emineth would be stepping down. Emineth said he wants to spend more time with his family and on his business ventures. Some questioned Emineth’s decision, saying there must be more to the story.

Now with National RNC Chairman Michael Steele under fire Emineth is apparently considering a run for the job.

And suddenly his resignation makes more sense. Resigning his state chairmanship now leaves him free to campaign for the national chairmanship after November 2nd. In fact, resigning his chairmanship now frees him up to be very active in the (much needed) push to get Steele to resign.

With Republican National Committee Chairman Michael S. Steele facing a barrage of calls to resign, North Dakota Republican Party Chairman Gary Emineth, a social conservative, told The Washington Times on Friday he is quitting his post to prepare a possible challenge of Mr. Steele after November’s midterm elections. …

“I was shocked at the last RNC meeting to learn how little money we got from our major donors,” Mr. Emineth told The Times. ..

Mr. Emineth said what moved him to consider a bid for national chairman is what he called Mr. Steele’s dismal failure with big donors who are giving to other, more trusted GOP campaign organizations as polls continue to show Republicans, if adequately financed, stand a good chance of regaining control of Congress.

Back in April, Emineth told Scott Hennen that he was refusing to sign a letter of support for Steele being circulated among RNC members. And, indeed, I’ve been privy to a few conversations where Emineth was highly critical of Steele over fundraising issues.

If memory serves, Emineth at one point said that the RNC under Steele was spending something like $1.00 to raise $1.25. Hardly a good return on investment.

If my endorsement as someone who has observed Emineth’s leadership from up close is worth anything, let me say that the RNC could not do much better. In fact, I think Emineth or someone like him may be exactly what the party needs. Rather than putting some national figure in charge of the party, why not put someone who isn’t flashy like Emineth in charge? A work horse, and a businessman, who can put the party back in order.

If there were a word to describe the GOP of late, it’s “rudderless.” Democrats are imploding, but Republicans have a serious leadership vacuum as they look to take advantage. Emineth could be the firm hand on the rudder the national party needs.