Rendell: "Michael Steele's days are numbered...Fortunately for us, his days are numbered." [View All]

[jefferson_dem]

Rendell: Steele's 'days are numbered'
By ANDY BARR | 3/12/09 3:02 PM EDT Text Size:

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell predicted on Thursday that Michael Steele's "days are numbered" as chairman of the Republican National Committee.

"He's in trouble because I just think that those who control the Republican Party don't want a big tent," Rendell told reporters during a lunch hosted by the Christian Science Monitor.

Rendell, a past chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said he believes the approaching special election in New York's 20th Congressional District — to replace Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, who was appointed senator — is not likely a make-or-break event for Steele, whom Rendell said also faces more fundamental problems.

"I don't know if they want a chairman who is basically pro-choice," Rendell said, referring to an answer Steele gave to GQ magazine in which he described abortion as an “individual choice."

Steele has since backtracked, saying in a statement to POLITICO, “I am pro-life, always have been, always will be.”

But Rendell said Steele's explanations of that comment and of other recent gaffes may not be enough to save his job, even though Rendell believes Steele could be "effective in time."

"Michael Steele's days are numbered,” Rendell said. “Fortunately for us, his days are numbered."

The RNC had no immediate comment on Rendell’s remarks.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/19948.html