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New RNC Chief Reince Priebus 'Never Forgot the Roots of the Party'

1 year ago
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Now that Reince Priebus has been named as the GOP's choice to lead the party into 2012's presidential election season, let's get the big question out of the way first: It's pronounced "ryns PREE-bus." (Click here to hear it said aloud.)

We're going to be hearing a lot of the hardworking Midwesterner with the uncommon name in the next two years, as he tries to unify the membership, expand the outreach and organize the muddled finances of the Republican National Committee.

Priebus, the former RNC general counsel who won the chairmanship Friday after seven rounds of voting, unseated his former ally, Michael Steele. He was head of Steele's 2009 bid to run the committee and a close adviser.

A Wisconsin native (hometown: Kenosha), the 38-year-old Priebus most recently served as chairman of the state Republican Party, which is still riding high after huge wins in the midterm elections. Wisconsin, a battleground that Barack Obama won in 2008, was the only state last year where the GOP gained a U.S. senator, a governor and the entire Legislature.

Not surprisingly, Priebus enjoyed strong support for his RNC campaign from Republicans in his home state, particularly new Gov. Scott Walker, who praised him for his leadership and his ability to connect with party moderates and the more conservative tea party activists.

"He is exactly what the national GOP needs: a skilled and proven leader who never forgot the roots of the party," Walker said in a statement after Priebus announced his candidacy.

Priebus was student body president at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (and was no doubt devastated by the Badgers' recent loss in the Rose Bowl) and went on to work in the state Legislature before pursuing a law degree at the University of Miami. He's a partner at the Milwaukee law firm Michael Best & Friedrich, where he specializes in corporate litigation.

In 2004, Priebus lost a bid for a seat in the Wisconsin Senate, unsuccessfully challenging incumbent Robert Wirch.

Priebus and his wife Sally have two children.

He will serve a two-year term and will be up for re-election in 2013.

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33 Comments

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crimson00king

The GOP is really showing their true alliance with the rich 1 percent of Americans. Obama is surging and when the younger voters return to the polls in 2012 the GOP will be sent a clear message from America once and for all. No matter how much money they get from wall street thieves big insurance and big Oil.

January 19 2011 at 6:15 PM Report abuse +4 rate up rate down Reply
dugandean

What exactly are the "roots" of the Republican party? Lincoln, Teddy Rooseveldt, Nixon, Reagan, Bush(es)? Ronald Reagan had a clear message and actually stood for something. Other Republicans just want to get elected. Sarah Palin is a sad joke. She has no political philosophy. She ditches her responsibility as the elected governor of Alaska to run this silly media campaign. As for Republicans moving too far to the right - they've done exactly the opposite. They apologize for the few conservative ideals they maintain. The Tea Party is just another (note - another) grass roots conservative movement. Remember Ross Perot's organization? America is ready for another Reagan Republican. Sadly, all I see are hucksters, and "moderates."

January 18 2011 at 1:39 PM Report abuse +6 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to dugandean's comment
vcrozas

Yep me too....on both sides Repubs and Dems....absolutely appling!

January 19 2011 at 4:23 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
thirdsqurl

Hopefully he will bring some balance back to the GOP. The party has moved so far to the right that most moderates can't vote for them anymore. The 2010 elections were not an endorsement of Republican politics, they were a well deserved slap in the face to the Democrats. 2012 will be a whole new game for both sides.

January 15 2011 at 7:11 PM Report abuse -2 rate up rate down Reply
fakeconomics1

Mr. Reince Priebus ------The clock is ticking!! Lets see what you got?? How much you mean to ordinary Americans??

January 15 2011 at 7:07 PM Report abuse +8 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to fakeconomics1's comment
Larry

Ordinary Americans, What is that?

January 30 2011 at 4:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ziegler21wp

Checked out his bio (and the numerous links that follow it)on Wikipedia-He is of Greek and German ancestry. He is a corporate lawyer and despite public statements opposing the Stimulus package, he apparently sought those funds on behalf of his clients while at his law firm. As a social conservative, I doubt that Abraham Lincoln would recognize this fellow's understanding of the "roots" of the Republican Party.

January 15 2011 at 5:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
nnanciejean

The people are very lucky to have him as the RNC leader. He did a fantastic job for WI. We now have a repub governor and the state legislature is now in the hands of the repubs. We have a huge deficit after being controlled by the dems for so many years. The majority of Wisconsites are so happy to be going from blue to red. Our new governor is already doing a fantastic job and I know WI is going to get back on track.

January 15 2011 at 5:37 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to nnanciejean's comment
Tom

When one must quantify to make a point ("majority of Wisconsites") one is projecting their own opinion and not fact. I have relatives and friends in WI and not a one has told me they are "happy" about the take over - and I have asked specifically how they felt. So... I can;t even take a poll and get a "majority".... o.O

January 19 2011 at 2:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bpdarling

He's done NOTHING for Wisconsin actually.....Kenosha is DROWNING in Unemployment! The defecit was created by REPUBLICAN Governor Tommy Thompson...memba him? Guess not. Wisconsin is in the TOILET economically, and Feingold was doing great at starting to retain the blue collar jobs (since Wisconsin lacks basic education for the most part and has a lot of rural "farmers" who know little of the outside world, except Sarah Palin of course). Your rosy outlook about the leadership in Wisconsin is TOTALLY INACCURATE. Your property taxes are going up again at the hand of your new governor, so get out your checkbook! Don;t worry, Feingold will be back in 2.

January 20 2011 at 8:17 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
squireslaw

Hopefully the roots will reflect a return to fiscal conservatism, infrastructure rebuilding, ecological conservation, domestic manufacturing, and other policies that encourage a flourishing and healthy middle class.

January 15 2011 at 5:24 PM Report abuse +10 rate up rate down Reply
anita

I wish the young man good luck. I just hope that he can encourage CIVIL DEBATES on the issues in the future. American deserve no less. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

January 15 2011 at 4:34 PM Report abuse +5 rate up rate down Reply
johnarack1

Roots Try Eisenhower when the Rich we're taxed at 95%..The Greatest era of Growth EVER..

January 15 2011 at 4:20 PM Report abuse +4 rate up rate down Reply
John & Jeanne

Hey he worked in Wisconsin and the GOPers want to take the state back to the 1950's. Just like Scott Walker wants all the Il businesses to move to Wisconsin and increase their TAXES. Illinois is still less than WI, but Scott does not know that yet.

January 15 2011 at 2:46 PM Report abuse +6 rate up rate down Reply

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