December 8, 2008
Posted: 06:00 PM ET

From

(CNN) — Another Republican on Monday jumped into the race to head the Republican National Committee.

Chip Saltsman, the former head of the Tennessee Republican Party and the former campaign manger of Mike Huckabee's White House bid, said Monday he's best positioned to rebuild the party following its bruising defeats on Election Day.

“As Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party, campaign manager for a Republican presidential campaign, and business owner, I know how to compete and how to win,” he said. “Our party needs new and energetic leadership to rededicate ourselves to conservative principles, to regain the American voter's trust, and to set the stage for a dramatic turnaround in 2010 and beyond.”

Saltsman faces a long list of challengers: former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Katon Dawson, former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, and Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis have already declared they are seeking Duncan's job.

Filed under: Chip Saltsman


Steve in Las Vegas   December 8th, 2008 10:55 pm ET

I wouldn't talk to Oprah either. Prehaps Sarah's not as dumb as the media's told people she is.

GA for Obama   December 8th, 2008 10:52 pm ET

Talents- stop hating. there's no one more qualified than Barack Obama to lead at this time

willow55   December 8th, 2008 10:14 pm ET

Saltsman, as a fellow Tennessean, you need to stop promoting the "Southern Strategy". It won't work much longer. Now you've lost Virginia, Florida, and North Carolina. The ad you ran against Harold Ford was despicable. The GOP just had to play the race card here because Ford was gaining ground. Now we are stuck with Corker who wants to destroy the Big Three and take 64,000-90,000 jobs out of Tennessee. Stay home, Saltsman the GOP IS DEAD. There aren't enough electoral votes in the deep south.

Karen - Missouri   December 8th, 2008 9:34 pm ET

There's nothing anyone can do right to save the RNC. They should just shut up and lay low for awhile.

Mike Dallas   December 8th, 2008 9:20 pm ET

"rededicate ourselves to conservative principles"

Did you reptiles in the repug party not realize that America just voted in the most LI BERAL congressman in the office of the President??

What part of America's rejection of all you bible thumping bigots did you not understand?

mark   December 8th, 2008 9:08 pm ET

fyi talents George Washington wasn't a Christian he was a deist. And conservatives dont keep this country alive AMERICANS ! do period.

And as a christian it humors me how the settlers came here years ago to escape religious persecution and here were are centuries later and we're doing the same thing to others. I believe in Christ and He's my savior. But tryin to set up the United States as some type of fascist theocracy doesnt win souls and it further perpetuates the non believers misconception of Christians, dogmatic, over zealous, myopic, hypocritcal bigots that have a superiorty complex.

sunshine   December 8th, 2008 9:00 pm ET

republicans tried to make fools out of the american voters, AMERICA SPOKE LOUD AND CLEAR. as far as i am concerned your party is over.

Kid Politic   December 8th, 2008 8:59 pm ET

I, being a Tennessean myself, believe Chip Saltsman is the most qualified and the most able man in the race.

Oh, and by the way, Palin '12!

Proud American from New England   December 8th, 2008 8:58 pm ET

The Republicans have proven themselves over the last 8 years and our once great nation lies in ruin.

They are a disaster for the planet and all living things.

Commilla   December 8th, 2008 8:52 pm ET

Who cares if she snubbed her. Why is Oprah so important.. She picked politcal talk to show to talk on …. which makes since. She's a politician

NotNowOrEver   December 8th, 2008 8:49 pm ET

Someone had the nerve to suggest that the former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, could be the Republican's 'Obama.' As an African-American, let me tell you that I'm not feeling it. It will take more than another black person to fill the shoes of my great new President! I question his Steele's judgment and integrity, in light of the past election. What were they (Black Republicans) thinking, to sit silently, and let that awful spirit of a person (Palin), spew out so many inflamatory remarks! Trust me when I say to you, that these 21st Century Repubs are in a league of their own – alone! As their base tries to grow, we will continue to increase, and outnumber them!

Give it up for the Democrats!

Lyndon from CA   December 8th, 2008 8:33 pm ET

Another Tennessee Bigget(ATB); The GOP will be well served.

Rebeckah   December 8th, 2008 8:32 pm ET

To talents… this country was founded on the separation of Church and State. . . it's to bad the conservatives have forgotten this. Barrack won because people are tired of the conservative view…. if your not with us your against us… if you don't believe the way I believe then your not American. Hate, bigotry, intolerance and ignorance hiding behind the conservative bible principles. Non of this is what Jesus taught… keep religion out of politics

Pat   December 8th, 2008 8:32 pm ET

Ed Word December 8th, 2008 7:00 pm ET
Haha. Rebuilding that party will take decades.
__________________

Ed is a silly peepy-peepy head!

Ron Canada.   December 8th, 2008 8:31 pm ET

Hey Chip. You know how to compete and you know how to win!
Did'nt Huckerby lose to McCaine?

paul oregon   December 8th, 2008 8:25 pm ET

as long as the gop has palin hanging around they dont have to think abount rebuilding. they have cooked there own goose for a long time
to come.

kayla   December 8th, 2008 8:15 pm ET

obama 2008,2012, and beyond

Keith   December 8th, 2008 8:08 pm ET

We know ol Chip here in Tn. He is one of the most divisive people in the state. He takes his marching papers from Karl Rove.

If the GOP picks this nut job….then they have learned nothing!!

Why would anyone post conservative and Christian together. I am a moderate and just as much a Christian as anyone. I don't care for far left liberals and I don't care for far right wing conservatives. This country has NEVER prospered for long under any far right conservative in charge.

Chip….crawl back in your hole

BB   December 8th, 2008 8:08 pm ET

Talents – don't dictate religious beliefs.

Freedom of, and freedom from, religion. You're dictatorship attitude is why we left England and came here long ago.

Griff   December 8th, 2008 8:07 pm ET

I have seen it all before…. Wild-Cat strikes…. Bewhare America… The Unions, (or most of the Unions) were on Obamas Ticket…. I mentioned it!!!! But ignore me…. Your Country will be brought to it's knee's… Hoffa???? No! Triple…. Why the Hell do you think the Unions were on Obama's side… Where did those Millions come from, that helped pave the way????? No Bull?????

Betty B   December 8th, 2008 8:05 pm ET

Who cares?

Franky   December 8th, 2008 8:05 pm ET

@Pat

Man!! People are still mad or frustrated, huh? And by the way, I will be surprised if they can rebuild after 2010. Senator McCain getting elected is one fo the worst things that can happen but as for Saltsman, he's alright, he ain't that bad. Maybe he can come through with the GOP, I don't know, it remains to be seen. But my advice for them is that they gotta show validity. Is one thing to show consistency but far from less, the American people do like validity…for a start.

David Newport, OR   December 8th, 2008 8:04 pm ET

OK Pat…now tell us how you really feel. Instead of playing the typical GOP name calling games, why not provide some evidence to your statements? How will the GOP attract the middle-of-the road electorate that flocked to the the Democrats this last election?

BUSHED!!!   December 8th, 2008 8:04 pm ET

TO—-Talents December 8th, 2008 7:28 pm ET
There are a lot of talents in this nation, young and able and qualified, much better than Barack Obama. God bless America, a traditional Christian nation, ever since George Washington!
Go and SIN NO MORE!!!!!!…Smell Like Racist To Me

Vic   December 8th, 2008 8:01 pm ET

IF the republicans had any sense at all they would choose someone that isn't mean and nasty… people are sick and tired of listening to the same old vile rhethoric from the republican party.
They have no solutions to the problems they created, so they bad mouth the democrats and try and push the blame on them.
I will never vote republican again.

PA politico   December 8th, 2008 7:55 pm ET

Yeah Ed, that's great, so now we're a one-party nation? I'm sure that a nation ruled by one party, Republican or Democrat will surely have the best interests of the people in mind. Moron.

Talented Bigots   December 8th, 2008 7:50 pm ET

@ Talents,

Okay, so where are these young and able and qualified talents? Barack stepped up to the plate, where were they? Hiding behind bigots like you.

God will bless America because it was founded by Christians but on the principle that all people are free to practice any religion. Read the Constitution. Oh, and Barack is a Christian, or weren't you keepin up with the primaries and the general election.

Chris   December 8th, 2008 7:47 pm ET

If the GOP ever lets go of the FAR right "Christian" beliefs that hinder science, education, space exploration, engineering and they actually open their arms to other races, real women's rights and the environment, I'll consider voting for them.

Until then, nope.

Rachel, MO   December 8th, 2008 7:46 pm ET

How do you rebuild the party from hell? I guess they could look through old papers of Hitler, or Stalin or Mao Se Tung–any dictatorship will do.

George W. Bush ran the party to the armpits of hell, now they want to revive it? Sorry, but it's dead and good riddance. No dictators for America, ever again. We want intelligent people who think about all Americans, not just the fat, greedy rich cats who run to the government when their coiffeurs are empty.

Burt, NH   December 8th, 2008 7:42 pm ET

Good, sounds like a clown. If he thinks anyone is going to take the Huckabeast seriously, he's got another thing coming.

It's bad enough that he's pushing the Huckster in our living rooms. II can't turn the channel fast enough. That big fat pig. But he'll go down as fast as Rush Limbinger, who tried television and failed because racist can't exist under the bright lights of TV. The Huckster will have his day. Sooner or later those racist remarks will come out of his fat twisted mouth and he'll be gone as well.

Pat   December 8th, 2008 7:38 pm ET

Ed Word December 8th, 2008 7:00 pm ET
Haha. Rebuilding that party will take decades.
Anyone down in their self-dug hole will get the bends if they climb up too quickly.

The GOP is dead.
————————————
Ed, just watch !!!!!!!!!!!!! Will YOU ever be surprised !!!!!!!!!!!! Conservatives keep this country alive — NOT like you, Ed — a midget with a big mouth but no brain!!!!!!!!!!

Pat   December 8th, 2008 7:34 pm ET

Rove vows to 'name names'

______________

GOOD! Go for it, Rove !!!!!!!!!!!! Heads will roll!!!!!!!!!!!

Talents   December 8th, 2008 7:28 pm ET

There are a lot of talents in this nation, young and able and qualified, much better than Barack Obama. God bless America, a traditional Christian nation, ever since George Washington!

Larry   December 8th, 2008 7:10 pm ET

Bruising defeats, 5% ?? Only the media made it a "big" defeat.Anyway ,if you've got a better plan for you,than the one you did for Huckabee,you need to bring it on.

Ed Word   December 8th, 2008 7:00 pm ET

Haha. Rebuilding that party will take decades.

Anyone down in their self-dug hole will get the bends if they climb up too quickly.

The GOP is dead.

Angi's Mom   December 8th, 2008 6:53 pm ET

Add him to the list of wannabe Mavericks.

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