The Anti–Michael Steele: Norm Coleman Considers Run for RNC Chair

On Thursday Politico reported that former Minnesota senator Norm Coleman is privately discussing a run for chairman of the Republican National Committee. Historically, party chair has been a mostly behind-the-scenes job, hobnobbing with donors and the like. But the scandal- and gaffe-prone current RNC chair, Michael Steele, has, shall we say, raised the profile of the position. Thanks to Steele, the RNC has found itself in the same headlines with such unlikely phrases as "hip-hop makeover" and "bondage club." Other than making the RNC chair a better-known position, though, his tenure is widely regarded as a failure.

So, if the Republicans choose Coleman to replace Steele, will they get a continuation of his tenure? There are, in fact, a few superficial similarities. Both have been plagued by accusations of questionable ethics, and both settled for the RNC job after losing a statewide race.

But otherwise Coleman is essentially the anti-Steele. Coleman, according to Minnesota politics expert Steven Schier, is a cautious speaker, a prodigious fundraiser, and an effective manager. "Coleman is temperate, thoughtful—he listens," says Schier, a professor of political science at Carleton College. "He stays away from grandiose statements."

Another potential description for that, which anyone who has watched Coleman give a speech might also use, is boring, or uninspiring. But perhaps a boring chair is what the GOP needs right now. "He spent eight years as mayor of St. Paul," notes Schier. "He was an executive who worked with a Democratic city council. That produces a more temperate approach."

That lack of ideological ardor might serve Coleman well on Meet the Press, but it also might not be conducive to winning over the Republicans' famously extremist base. Coleman started his career as a Democrat, and although he is a down-the-line social conservative (and was always against abortion rights), he was among the relatively moderate Republicans in the Senate. The last time the RNC had a chair like that, Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida, he resigned over the brewing anti-immigration sentiment in the party.

Coleman hails from Minnesota, which is a bluish-purple state, with populist and environmentalist streaks. So, would Coleman, who defeated high-profile Democrat Walter Mondale and came within a few hundred votes of doing the same to Al Franken in a Democratic wave election, unlock the secret to helping Republicans break out of their old/white/Southern cage? Probably not. Steele, after all, was chosen to attempt that, and the Democrats chose then–Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine to chair their party to do the inverse for them. Neither can be said to have accomplished that.

"I don't think you can call [Coleman] a master strategist," says Schier. So he might be good for Republicans, but one group is certain to lose if Coleman takes over the RNC's reins: reporters. Steele is the gift that keeps on giving. As for Coleman? "He’ll make a lot less news," Schier predicts.