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Anuzis seeks RNC chairmanship amid controversy and conflict
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Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis is running for chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) while fending off attacks from a disgruntled former candidate. Meanwhile, another challenger for the post has generated controversy with a musical parody CD aimed at Democrats.
Anuzis, who has chaired the Michigan party since 2005, wants the RNC to catch up with the Democrats in using technology. But during his tenure, Republicans suffered heavy losses in Michigan during the 2006 and 2008 elections, including two seats in Congress, 15 seats in the state House of Representatives along with control of the chamber, and a state Supreme Court seat. Democrats have swept statewide races in the two elections.
Jerry Zandstra, a minister and anti-abortion activist who sought the Republican nomination for U.S. Senator in 2006, sent an e-mail to RNC members pointing out these losses. He also claimed that Anuzis disrupted his campaign and is not a qualified fundraiser, and that Republican presidential candidate John McCain withdrew from Michigan more than a month before the election because he couldn't work with the Michigan Republican Party, which Zandstra described as "dysfunctional and factionalized."
Anuzis responded that the losses were difficult to minimize in big Democratic years, he didn't interfere in the Senate primary, he has exceeded fundraising goals, and that McCain withdrew because he couldn't win Michigan. He also noted that Zandstra was unable to gather enough petition signatures to get on the ballot. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard won the Senate primary over minister and former Detroit City Councilman Keith Butler, then went on to lose badly to Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow.
In seeking to chair the RNC, Anuzis is taking on incumbent Mike Duncan, who wants another two-year term. Also in the race are former Tennessee Republican Chairman and Mike Huckabee campaign manager Chip Saltsman, former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, South Carolina Republican Chairman Katon Dawson and former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele. Florida Republican Chairman Jim Greer may also enter the race.
Saltsman has sent a musical parody CD, "We Hate the USA" to RNC members. It includes "Barack the Magic Negro," a parody of "Puff the Magic Dragon" aimed at President-elect Barack Obama. His action has been condemned by Duncan, Anuzis and Greer, along with "Puff the Magic Dragon" co-author Peter Yarrow, a member of the folk music group Peter, Paul and Mary, and an Obama supporter.
The RNC will elect its chair in January.
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