Michael Steele Draws First Opponent

The first of many challengers to Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele has emerged: former Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis announced Friday that he will run for the top party spot ahead of the 2012 election cycle. Azunis wrote in a blog post that the Republican party will be unable to defeat President Obama "unless there is dramatic change in the way the RNC does business." He added that he wouldn't try to be the "face" of the party, an obvious allusion to Steele's gaffes and offbeat public persona that has frequently embarrassed the party. "We cannot be deceived by our victories this year," Anuzis wrote. Republican insiders say at least four potential contenders are considering challenging Steele, including Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus, GOP strategist Maria Cino, Connecticut Republican Party Chairman Chris Healy, and Ann Wagner, the former ambassador to Luxembourg.