'Nothing succeeds like failure' GOP race over

A corollary to the Peter Principle is that "nothing succeeds like failure." What a perfect description of the field in today's face for Republican National Chairman. In a deeply flawed field, we can only hope that through some stroke of luck, the cream rose to the top. There isn't a lot of room for optimism.

The only success running was the South Carolina state chairman. No one wanted a chairman from the deep south, as the party is regionalized there enough all ready. But at least he carried his state for McCain-Palin, elected and re-elected a GOP governor, U.S. Senator and a majority of the state's congressional delegation and legislature. No other candidate running could come even vaguely close to that achievement.

The "winner" of the race was black former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele. He lost a race he should have won in a decent GOP year for the U.S. Senate. The best that can be said is that a timid and incompetent GOP National Committee let him down by not pouring in the $2-5 million in the last week that could have won the election for him.

He has a very checkered career in low level posts, and no proven ability as an inspired leader, manager or administrator. We can only hope he is not a token black, chosen in a pale attempt to keep up with The Messiah.

The rest of the field was even more laughable. For the GOP to find its future, it will not only take a visionary leader, but Democratic missteps that the GOP is bold and able enough to capitalize on.

Candidate Ken Blackwell, also black, had been the Ohio Secretary of State that did such a shaky job counting the vote for Bush in 2004 that Democrats could claim they actually carried the state. His woeful campaign for Governor two years later, in a bad GOP year, confirmed what they'd said.

Michigan GOP chairman Saul Anuzis lead a complete wipeout of the GOP there. When was the last time in memory a major statewide office went Republican or the GOP presidential nominee carried that state? Certainly not on Anuzis' watch.

Tennessee chairman Chip Saltsman had some success with Mike Huckabee's presidential campaign, but not with his state's governorship. He was never a factor after he sent out a Paul Shanklin comedy disc, which was harmless, but gave the liberal press a field day. (See next blog post).

The last candidate was the incumbent, Mike Duncan, who surprising had the guts to actually run again. After the party was wiped out in both the 2006 and 2008 campaigns, the best thing he can do is find a career outside of politics. Hopefully he has a happy life.

The GOP National Committee? We better say some prayers on that score.