Republican National Committeeman from California, is a well known fixture here at the FlashReport. He’s already in Tampa in advance of next week’s Republican National Convention, and will be “live-blogging” from on the ground… Here’s his first update from Florida.
Across from our room at the water front Marriott is the Tampa Bay Times forum where the Republican National Committee will host the cream of the Republican party leadership.
Last night popular RNC Chairman Reince Preibus hosted a VIP reception with RNC members, with special guest Gov. Bob McDonald of Virginia. That’s where I held the RNC Cigar Caucus on one of the balconies — I was informed later that Governor Romney would be using the Presidential Suite during the week of the convention — so keep the smoke outside!
RNC Chairman Reince Preibus
With regards to RNC Chairman Reince Priebus — he has really enjoyed an amazing term since replacing his close friend Michael Steel. Reince trears RNC members as his peers and friends. He has a member of his staff wholly devoted to interacting with his fellow RNC members, getting our input, taking our pulse. We clearly have meaningful input into his decision-making process.
Reince would be a shoo-in at the RNC for reelection next year — of course if Mitt Romney is sworn in as our next President, opportunities will abound for our hard working Chairman.
Here’s a factoid you probably did not know. Reince lives in Congressman Paul Ryan’s seat in Wisconsin. And Reince was the After all he was Ryan’s first finance chair- both live in the same district. Reince served successfully as Chairman of the Wisconsin GOP for the 2010 cycle, bringing home big wins including a Governor’s race, a U.S. Senate race (retiring the infamous Mr. Feingold of McCain-Feingold fame), as well as the GOP capturing both chambers of the WI state legislature. No doubt this only boosted Reince’s chances to win his post as Chairman of the RNC last year.
Reince has had many opportunities to demonstrate his leadership as RNC Chairman. When there was a state-level contest for a Supreme Court Justice position in Wisconsin, where the outcome could have killed Governor Walker’s reforms — Reince was “all in” with resources to win that battle. Then big labor tried to recall six Republican State Senators and again Reince led the RNC to ultimately retain enough Republicans to support Governor Walker. Finally, on the major effort to recall Governor Scott Walker from office, we were there again as a national party, helping to make the difference.
So Reince Preibus won a home state “trifecta” in Wisconsin, getting his state warmed up for a Romney victory, even before the Vice Presidential from that very state!
If January 20th of next year brings us President Mitt Romney, there is no doubt that one of the bright stars that will be on hand to help the new President to be successful, in whatever role the President sees him in, would be Reince Preibus.