Behind Closed Doors

GOP Leaders to Steele: Shut It

Tell RNC chairman to quit meddling in policy.

RNC Chairman Michael Steele has stepped in it… again. According to Politico, Steele found himself the subject of a stern talking to in a private meeting with Republican congressional leaders last month. The GOP’s congressional leaders—John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, and John Kyl, among others—summoned Steele to Boehner’s office to reprimand him for meddling in policy: Steele had recently authored an op-ed unveiling a seniors’ “bill of rights” without consulting them. According to people in the room, Steele grew defensive during the 10-minute discussion, perhaps because the RNC was planning to roll out more policy initiatives, but ended up insisting that he was a “fighter” who grew up in the streets, and would continue to defend the party.