Saltsman out of the running for RNC chair
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/29/art.rnc.gi.jpg caption="Saltsman is out of the RNC race."]WASHINGTON (CNN) – There are now just five candidates in the race to chair the Republican National Committee.
Chip Saltsman, the former Tennessee GOP chairman who managed Mike Huckabee’s underdog presidential campaign, is out of the running after failing to garner enough support to file as an official candidate.
According to committee rules, each of the six contenders for chairman were required to submit a list of at least three “nominating states” by 5 P.M. ET on Thursday, meaning a candidate must demonstrate support from a majority of committee members in at least three different states.
Saltsman did not file to run for chair by the deadline, according to an RNC aide. He did not make an appearance at the Thursday session of the RNC Winter Meeting in Washington, where the rest of the candidates were busy whipping up votes.
An aide to Saltsman did not respond to an e-mail request for comment.
Saltsman stumbled out the gate in the weeks after launching his bid when he sent party members a parody CD that included a song called “Barack the Magic Negro.” Under the weight of the negative media attention that followed, he failed to attract a single public endorsement from an RNC member.
UPDATE: Saltsman's letter to supporters announcing he's dropping out after the jump
Since November's election, I've had the remarkable opportunity to travel throughout thirty two states, share my vision for the future of our party, and listen to the advice of the nearly one hundred members who took the time to visit with me in their homes, their offices, their airports, and their coffee shops.
I've seen how the Clark County Republicans of Nevada are organizing online to defeat Harry Reid in 2010, as we defeated Tom Daschle in 2002.
I've heard how Republicans in the District of Columbia have expanded their membership simply by holding their meetings and spreading their message in communities that have long shared our values, but which have never felt welcome within our ranks.
I've witnessed how the hard work of Republican leadership in my home of Tennessee has given our state its first Republican General Assembly since 1869.
And I've met with Republicans in New England's blue states who are ready to plant our party's flag and prove that our coalition is broad enough, strong enough to compete everywhere and win anywhere.
But, while my travels make me confident in our party's future, I wanted you to be first to know that I have decided to withdraw my candidacy to become your next chairman.
Thank you for your passion for our party and for the principles that make it great. I hope that you won't hesitate to call on me as we rebuild our majority.
Chip
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ONE down.... next
The RNC all in one area?
Where is a good Rapture when we need one!
I hear ya..heheh..next
GOOD!!!
there goes the Palin faction!
Mike Dallas January 29th, 2009 5:53 pm ET
The RNC all in one area?
Where is a good Rapture when we need one!
That was good!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Chiper – I guess that "parody" isn't so funny now huh?
Shot your foot right off did you?
There is no love lost. He is one of many spouting warped points of views at a time when the country needs cooperation between its leaders. Division is all they seem to know, that's why change is so hard for them.
RNC------RACIAL NATIONAL CONGRESS. ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST.
Chippy open mouth, insert foot in 3.2.1.
Good.
America does not need people like Saltsman in public office.
He is a race baiter, just like Ann coulter, Rush , Sean Hannity, and the bigot O'Reily.
What will they do if no one wants to lead them? Couldn't do any worse I guess. Maybe Rush and Hannity will volunteer.
DUNCAN should also be ousted. He's clueless and still living in the "Reagan Years". Get rid of the bum.
Thank goodness, who is next, lets see, Rush, Hannity, Palin, get rid of all these bigots the U.S. will be a better place.
Unfortunately it would have done wonders for the Dems if he had in fact garnered enough votes. I must admit I'm a little disappointed.
The Republican Party has a huge problem. It's like they're still living in the 1950s where minorities were sort of invisible. They're divisive instead of inclusive. Mean spirited. They could care less about those on the lower rung of the economic ladder. They have that 'I got mine' mentality. As an American of African descent, I can't think of any reason why I would ever pull the Republican lever during a Presidential election.
Im glad to see republicans have some decency to silence this bigot. The GOP is full of racist but even they understand that America want to end the bigotry. The word Negro is a term referring to people of black ancestry who were african and non-african blacks of the 60's who decided that they would fight against racism and hate by using this word in place of the racist N-word. So I hope people understand the outrage.
THE FALL OF THE REPUGS EMPIRE CONTINUES .
Couldn't find"three"nominating states?Popular guy there"Chip".
Is having any COMMON SINCE just not part of being a Democrat???
Saltsman, was not qualified! RACISIM DOESN'T WORK!!!
This is WRONG!!!! I mean he is being himself, a true Republican. Do they think people will forget that. He sent it to all of them!!!!!!
CNN: – "SALTSMAN OUT OF THE RUNNING FOR RNC CHAIR"
Well what did you expect? Chip Saltsman is the typical fruit of a nasty, vicious, ungodly, hypocritical Tennessee State GOP. That explains everything.
They should put Limbaugh and Hannity on the RNC......THEY would have voted for him.