Mike Duncan

13 Stories

Rove Group's Only Donors: Billionaires

American Crossroads says it's a 'grassroots' organization

(Newser) - Need proof that the term “grassroots” has become a meaningless political buzzword? Karl Rove’s American Crossroads group, which has occasionally used the term, is funded almost exclusively by four billionaires, according to Salon . And two of the four made their money in the oil and gas industry. It’...

GOP Struggles (and Twitters) to Close Tech Gap

Candidates competing for chairman brag of networking chops

(Newser) - With the Republican National Committee voting for a new chairman today, the candidates have been busy competing not on ideological grounds but on who has more Facebook friends, and who's more adept at Twittering, the Wall Street Journal reports. In rebuilding the party, one strategist declared the top priority to...

Competition to Lead GOP 'Dirtiest Ever'

Anonymous e-mails accuse candidates of racism, incompetence

(Newser) - Things have gotten ugly in the race to chair the Republican National Committee, in which a vote is due tomorrow. Anonymous e-mails have thrown some hard elbows, the Washington Times reports—one this week featured a mock-up USA Today front page reading, “RNC members choose ‘whites only’ chairman,...

At RNC, Change Means Bashing Bush

Former loyalists lash out at ex-president in race for new chairman

(Newser) - In deciding on a new chairman, Republican National Committee members are wrestling with ambivalence about George W. Bush, the Washington Post reports. Incumbent Mike Duncan, appointed by the former president, faces something of a backlash. Duncan “never criticized Bush when the president was wrong,” says one member. “...

RNC Candidates Must Measure Up to Dems' Kaine
RNC Candidates Must Measure Up to Dems' Kaine
analysis
Jan 16, 2009 1:34 PM CST

RNC Candidates Must Measure Up to Dems' Kaine

Candidates look lightweight compared to Va. guv, DNC chair

(Newser) - Since Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine took over the Democratic National Committee last week, Republicans—in the midst of choosing Kaine’s RNC counterpart—are concerned that their contenders aren’t quite in Kaine’s weight class, reports Politico. Imagining the inevitable on-air debates, one Republican stresses the importance of choosing...

Want to Lead the GOP? Name- Drop Reagan
Want to Lead the GOP? Name- Drop Reagan
OPINION
Jan 6, 2009 1:14 PM CST

Want to Lead the GOP? Name- Drop Reagan

Would-be RNC chairs bash forlorn party, wax poetic about the '80s

(Newser) - Asked to name their favorite Republican president, the six men vying to chair the RNC delivered a unanimous verdict: Lincoln, Schmincoln—bring back the Gipper of yore, said they. At a debate yesterday, the would-be chairmen labored mightily to top each others’ love of Reagan, Dana Milbank writes in the...

'Magic Negro' Flap May Help GOP Pol
'Magic Negro' Flap May Help GOP Pol
Dec 30, 2008 12:33 PM CST

'Magic Negro' Flap May Help GOP Pol

RNC members rally against outrage over tasteless satire

(Newser) - When a conservative politician is called racist, expect a backlash. The fracas over Chip Saltsman’s distribution of the song “Barack the Magic Negro” in his campaign to be Republican National Committee chairman has, as per usual, caused compatriots to flock to his defense, Politico reports, and may actually...

RNC Chief 'Appalled' by Rival's Use of 'Magic Negro'

Duncan slams rival for distributing song

(Newser) - The Republican National Committee’s chairman has scolded a potential successor for distributing a song entitled “Barack the Magic Negro,” Politico reports. “I am shocked and appalled that anyone would think this is appropriate," said Mike Duncan, who is vying for re-election to his post. He...

RNC Chief: GOP Needs Better Ideas

Private memo outlines stark assessment of party's current state

(Newser) - Republican National Committee chief Mike Duncan laments the sorry state of the GOP in a private memo to committee members obtained by TPM Election Central. The memo, written to explain the creation of the new "Center for Republican Renewal" think-tank, acknowledges that the party has too often put politics...

The Contenders for RNC Chair
 The Contenders for RNC Chair 
Dec 18, 2008 10:03 AM CST

The Contenders for RNC Chair

In a "very, very, sleepy" race...

(Newser) - A largely thankless job running a down-and-out party—no wonder these guys are fighting tooth-and-nail. Politico handicaps the candidates for Republican National Committee chair:
  • Mike Duncan: The current RNC chair’s record is mixed. Despite his prolific fundraising, he presided over both the 2008 disaster and the mini-rebound the party
...

McCain 'Can't Promise' to Support Palin for Prez

Tells ABC his 'corpse is still warm,' and there are other 'great governors'

(Newser) - John McCain can't guarantee that he would back his own vice presidential candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin if she ran for president in 2012, he conceded in a surprisingly weak show of support on ABC's This Week. McCain praised Palin, but repeatedly ducked questions about backing her in a future...

Who Will Carry the GOP Flag?

The candidates with hats in or near the ring

(Newser) - No one has emerged as a clear-cut favorite to chair the Republican National Committee, writes Chris Cillizza in the Washington Post, but plenty of politicians are interested. Here’s a rundown on who has a hat in—or near—the ring:
  • Mike Duncan: Many dismiss the current chairman’s re-election
...

The RNC's Anti-Obama Plan
The RNC's Anti-Obama Plan
Feb 18, 2008 1:30 PM CST

The RNC's Anti-Obama Plan

The message for GOP victory this fall

(Newser) - At this weekend’s RNC winter retreat, “lowbrow” Hillary Clinton jokes were plentiful, Politico reports, but her opponent got more attention. Said one California Congressman, “a President Hillary doesn’t scare me nearly as much as a President Obama.” The PowerPoint breakdown:
  • Can you picture Obama as
...

13 Stories