Candidates for GOP Chairman Reflect Party’s Problems

John D. McKinnon reports on politics. On Friday, the GOP will make its first major decision since its drubbing in November: It will elect a party chairman. In his own way, each of the six candidates for chairman of the Republican National Committee reflects separate elements of the complex political problem that Republicans confront as they seek to recover from 2008 — and the different possible paths back to power. – Incumbent Mike Duncan , the frontrunner, warns of the difficulties the party faces with racial and ethnic minorities. That includes not just African-Americans but also the fast-growing Hispanic-American bloc, as well as Asian-Americans and others. “If we don’t do something about it, we’re going to be the permanent minority in this country,” Duncan, a genial Kentucky banker, said at a candidate debate this month. He also is working to gin up new ideas for the party, criticized as intellectually moribund. – Another leading candidate, Michael Steele , ... (link)