Phyllis Schlafly laments GOP establishment's 'series of losers'; Michael Steele passes buck

From the outside looking in, this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference wasn’t a rallying cry against liberalism but rather a struggle between the GOP establishment and grass roots conservatives. Of course, no one speaking wanted to admit to being part of the establishment — especially after Eagle Forum founder Phyllis Schlafly lamented the “series of losers” the Republican establishment has put up for election.

Schafly: Again, we need a choice, not an echo. 'We don't want an establishment echo, and we don't want a Karl Rove echo.'

— Byron York (@ByronYork) March 16, 2013

We think Schlafly’s was a rhetorical question, but former Republican National Committee chairman (and current MSNBC political analyst) Michael Steele says, don’t look at him. Ask current chair Reince Priebus.

Ask Reince. RT @ByronYork
Schlafly at CPAC: 'Why is it that the establishment has given us this bunch of losers?'

— Michael Steele (@MichaelSteele) March 16, 2013

@Steele_Michael @ByronYork no you didn't sir. No you didn't. 😉

— mcbc (@mcbc) March 16, 2013

Yes, he did.

@Steele_Michael @ByronYork and to translate … you're saying that Reince is responsible for the GOP loses?

— mcbc (@mcbc) March 16, 2013

Plz stop RT @Steele_Michael: Ask Reince RT @ByronYork
Schlafly @ CPAC: 'Why is it that the establishment has given us this bunch of losers?'

— Ken Spain (@Ken_Spain) March 16, 2013

@Steele_Michael @byronyork this tweet summarizes exactly why Michael Steele was not re-elected. Self promotion ==best interest of #RNC.

— Rob Macomber (@robmacomber) March 16, 2013

.@Steele_Michael While pointing fingers at Reince, might want to remember your tenure as RNC chairman was one of the worst ever. @ByronYork

— (((AG))) (@AGHamilton29) March 16, 2013

@patrickisdrunk party chairs don't elect candidates. They raise $ & build infrastructure. New team spent 6 mnth cleaning up Steele $ mess.

— Rob Macomber (@robmacomber) March 16, 2013

However you rate Priebus’ performance, it’s hard to see how Steele’s input helps anyone.

speaker says "now i'd like to introduce reince preibus. people start to clap, realize who it is, and sort of stop. #consultantsvactivists

— john r stanton (@dcbigjohn) March 16, 2013

https://twitter.com/AaronBlakeWP/status/313018184489906177

Does Preibus get it? It looks like he’s looking in the right direction, at least.

https://twitter.com/AaronBlakeWP/status/313017366084722689