Steele, others absent from RNC forum

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- A forum for people who may want to lead the Republican National Committee failed to shed light on an increasingly uncertain race, observers said.

Absent from the meeting sponsored by two conservative groups were several candidates who expressed interest in the top RNC post, as well as its current occupant, Michael Steele, who still hasn't indicated whether he'll seek re-election, Politico reported Thursday.

The candidates who did attend the forum at the Washington Hilton generally avoided criticizing Steele by name even as they cited financial woes that have dogged the RNC since he took over as chairman, and spoke of specifics only when pointedly asked.

"The party under his leadership failed to raise the major donor money that is going to be required in order to defeat Barack Obama, defeat his policies and defeat his ideology and agenda in 2012," said former RNC political director Gentry Collins, estimating the committee would have to raise $400 million to $425 million for the 2012 election cycle.

Each of the four -- Collins, former RNC chief Mike Duncan, former Missouri GOP Chairwoman Ann Wagner and former Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis -- said the party's major donor program had withered, with Collins and Anuzis citing conversations with wealthy contributors claiming they haven't been approached by the current chairman.

"It's money first, it's money second, and it's money third," said Wagner, a former ambassador to Luxembourg.

So far, Anuzis and Wagner are the only declared candidates. Collins indicated he may run, but is sounding out committee members.

Wednesday's forum was sponsored by the Republican National Conservative Caucus and Freedom Works, the Tea Party umbrella organization. A private meeting with conservative RNC members is scheduled for Thursday.

The RNC will elect a chairman in January.