Kevin Price
Who is GOP chair Reince Priebus and what has he gotten himself in to?
By Kevin Price
The Republican Party has chosen its new chair. Reince Priebus, who is the former chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party, has either won the "honor" to become the GOP chair. We will see if it is one which he is pleased. I am afraid the former chair, Michael Steele, will have anything but fond memories of the experience.
According to the website of Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP:
"Reince Priebus is a partner in our Litigation Practice Group, Co-Chair of the Construction Group and Government and Public Policy Group. Currently, Mr. Priebus handles all aspects of corporate litigation."
Prior Work Experience
"Before entering law school, Mr. Priebus worked in the Wisconsin legislature. During that time, Mr. Priebus also served as the Committee Clerk for the State Assembly Education Committee. During law school, Mr. Priebus clerked for the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in Los Angeles, California." Priebus has appeared on numerous news shows, is a recognized rising star among lawyers, and is the former chair of the state's GOP.
A basic overview of Priebus' credentials shows that he is an attorney that has practiced law in areas that are directly or indirectly benefited by government. I'm not sure how that will resonate with an organization that has become dominated by Tea Party activists that are tired of "business as usual." Michael Steele was ousted for making the party too much about him, acquiring a massive debt of $21 million, and for consistently putting his foot in his mouth. This new chairman can expect to be watched closely. His strongest asset is the fact that he is not Michael Steele. If he wants to be successful, he will have to be more than "anti-Steele."
He will need to do the following:
© Kevin Price
January 15, 2011
The Republican Party has chosen its new chair. Reince Priebus, who is the former chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party, has either won the "honor" to become the GOP chair. We will see if it is one which he is pleased. I am afraid the former chair, Michael Steele, will have anything but fond memories of the experience.
According to the website of Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP:
"Reince Priebus is a partner in our Litigation Practice Group, Co-Chair of the Construction Group and Government and Public Policy Group. Currently, Mr. Priebus handles all aspects of corporate litigation."
Prior Work Experience
"Before entering law school, Mr. Priebus worked in the Wisconsin legislature. During that time, Mr. Priebus also served as the Committee Clerk for the State Assembly Education Committee. During law school, Mr. Priebus clerked for the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in Los Angeles, California." Priebus has appeared on numerous news shows, is a recognized rising star among lawyers, and is the former chair of the state's GOP.
A basic overview of Priebus' credentials shows that he is an attorney that has practiced law in areas that are directly or indirectly benefited by government. I'm not sure how that will resonate with an organization that has become dominated by Tea Party activists that are tired of "business as usual." Michael Steele was ousted for making the party too much about him, acquiring a massive debt of $21 million, and for consistently putting his foot in his mouth. This new chairman can expect to be watched closely. His strongest asset is the fact that he is not Michael Steele. If he wants to be successful, he will have to be more than "anti-Steele."
He will need to do the following:
- Make the GOP fiscally disciplined and something people want to invest in.
- Healing wounds between the GOP and the Tea Party and recognize the role they played in winning the US House.
- Supporting candidates are in the best interest of the long term growth of the party and not the establishment ones out of habit.
- Rebuild the "three legged stool" that made the GOP successful, which is a coalition of free market, social, and strong national security conservatives.
- Take a back seat to the national elected leaders and avoid being a distraction to the biggest task at hand — replacing Barack Obama
© Kevin Price
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