Bush backlash seen at RNC meetings

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Some Republican National Committee members in Washington for winter meetings say any vestige of former President George Bush must go, including the RNC chief.

With six candidates competing to run the Grand Old Party, some RNC members said they are determined to remove Mike Duncan, the current RNC chairman seeking re-election, because he is seen as a candidate who would maintain the status quo, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

The winter meetings run through Saturday.

Duncan "has never criticized Bush when the president was wrong," said Shawn Steel, a member from California. "He's the agent of the establishment, and we need a change in personnel."

In an another move seen as distancing the RNC from Bush, members are expected to adopt a resolution criticizing "the bloated bank bailout bill" Bush championed and insisting the committee "take all steps necessary to oppose bailouts of industries, individuals or governments," the newspaper reported.

Running against Duncan are Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis, South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson, former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele; former Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell" class="tpstyle">J. Kenneth Blackwell, and former Tennessee Republican chairman Chip Saltsman.