Republicans Plot to Oust Michael Steele

Republican leaders are quietly pressuring Michael Steele to resign while the resigning’s good, and looking for candidates to run against him if he ignores that advice. Though most weren’t willing to talk about it on the record, sources tell the New York Times that the likes of John Boehner and Mitch McConnell are among those hoping to see the gaffe-prone Steele hit the road.

The man most openly pushing for a change in the chairmanship is Henry Barbour, the lesser-known nephew of ex-RNC Chairman Haley Barbour. “There’s just too much at risk in the next cycle not to make a change,” the younger Barbour says. Barbour’s been trying to convince Steele buddy Reince Priebus, chairman of the Wisconsin GOP, to run against him. Priebus says he’s uncomfortable with the idea, but has been trying to convince Steele to leave before the midterm afterglow wears off.

As for why they're so keen to oust the chairman, it might have something to do with this. Or this. Or... Well, you know what, you better just scroll through Steele's grid page. (More Michael Steele stories.)