Congressional Republicans on Sunday ducked opportunities to back Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele, following revelations of questionable spending by RNC staff.Sen. Jon Kyl (R., Ariz.), appearing on “Fox News Sunday,' said he wasnt in a position “to either say [Steele] should step down or not.'
“But this kind of thing has got to stop or they wont get any contributions. The people that contribute to the committees, both Democrat and Republican, want to know that their money is well spent for the cause, and it needs to be that way,' Kyl, the Senate minority whip, said.
Among other expenses, the RNC paid nearly $2,000 for an event for its Young Eagles donors group at a bondage-themed nightclub in West Hollywood, Calif. No evidence suggested that Steele, a former Maryland lieutenant governor, personally knew of the event. However, some conservative leaders have been rankled by what they view as the chairmans flamboyant style.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.), in charge of recruiting Republican House candidates, likewise offered little support when asked on “Fox News Sunday' if he had full confidence in Steele.
“If we are going to show the American public that we believe in accountability and bringing it back to Washington, we have to make sure that the RNC has the accountability just the same,' he replied. “Youve got to bring the trust back, and that may mean shaking some other roles inside the RNC as well.'