Ronna McDaniel: Weathering the Storm of Criticism

Ronna McDaniel: Weathering the Storm of Criticism

Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel is bearing the brunt of her party’s frustrations, with conservative activists calling for her ouster and Donald Trump privately criticizing the organization’s handling of the debates and its election year priorities.

But party insiders say they still expect McDaniel to survive. Even her critics inside the committee say trying to replace her now would be too chaotic in the middle of a presidential election cycle.

“I think it would make some people happy — maybe a lot of people happy — but I think in the end it would probably be detrimental to the party to try to have her removed by vote,” said Oscar Brock, the GOP national committeeman from Tennessee. Brock, who was one of 55 RNC members who voted against McDaniel’s chair reelection in January, noted that it would take two-thirds of the 168 committee members to oust her from her post.

“Frankly,” he said, “I don’t think there’s any way in the world you can get a two-thirds vote to replace her.”

Lori Hinz, the North Dakota national committee woman who also opposed McDaniel’s reelection campaign, said she has been hearing from grassroots activists in her state that they’re unhappy with McDaniel’s leadership. But Hinz also acknowledged that it appears to be a losing battle.

“There is definitely frustration with repeated losses. I think everyone in the party feels that way,” Hinz said. But as for what the committee can do to turn things around? “That’s entirely up to Ronna. That’s her decision. She generally does not bend to outside sources very well.”

McDaniel’s fate at the RNC has long been a subject of fascination, in part because she is the longest serving chair in more than a century. She has survived frictions with Trump and poor election nights before. But the pile on she faces now is growing and threatens to add a layer of uncertainty to the GOP’s campaign operations, right as the general election season comes into focus.

While several presidential candidates have been upset with the thresholds the RNC set for debate qualifications — whether they were too high or too low — Trump and his allies have registered an entirely different set of complaints. The ex-president has pressed McDaniel to cancel the debates altogether and devote more resources to election integrity efforts, according to two people briefed on the conversations. Trump allies say the former president has been hearing complaints from donors in recent weeks about the committee, and one of those allies said he had “soured” on McDaniel’s performance.

A spokesperson for the Trump campaign did not comment.

Other Republicans note that Trump and McDaniel speak frequently. And in a statement, an RNC spokesperson noted that the committee has filed over 70 “election integrity” lawsuits and has “Election Integrity directors” in 15 states.

“Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and the entire Republican National Committee is laser-focused on beating Biden next fall,” said the spokesperson. “The RNC will continue to communicate with all campaigns and candidates as we look forward to putting our battle-tested infrastructure behind our Presidential nominee.”

The committee also sent along supportive statements of McDaniel from state party chairs in Nevada, Alabama, Iowa, California and North Carolina, as evidence of the depth of her backing.

“Having worked with Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel over the past two election cycles, I could not ask for a better partner to help us ensure historic up-and-down ballot Republican victories in Iowa,” said Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufman. “Without her support, Iowa and the Iowa Caucus would not be first in the nation. She has my full confidence as we head into the thick of caucus season.”

Trump could have avenues to make changes at the RNC, should he become the presumptive nominee. One option being floated in Trump’s orbit is to install a loyalist at the committee who would play a key role in overseeing the RNC’s operations. The Trump campaign has hinted that it plans to make changes at the committee should he win the primary, saying in a memo earlier this month that it would “refocus” the organization.

The former president is being egged on by conservative activists to do so. Dissatisfaction with McDaniel, in particular, has been driven by the conservative group Turning Point USA, whose founder, Charlie Kirk, urged Trump to push for a change of leadership at the committee.

“There is still time to correct course on many of the structural problems at the RNC,” Kirk said in a statement, “but we need to move fast.”

Kirk and Turning Point USA tried to unseat McDaniel in that last RNC election only to watch her coast to a fourth term. But in the aftermath of last week’s election losses in Virginia and Kentucky and Ohio, the simmering frustration with McDaniel has become far more pronounced.

The chair of the Virginia GOP, Rich Anderson, claimed the RNC denied his request for financial assistance. McDaniel maintains the RNC was told by Virginia officials in the summer they did not need the cash and said Republicans in the state were outspent on the issue of abortion.

Members of Congress have begun joining the chorus of critics, too. And on Wednesday, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign launched FireRonna.com, an online petition calling for her ouster. At the third primary debate, just days earlier, Ramaswamy had gone after McDaniel while on stage — a surprise attack he had brainstormed at home earlier that day with conservative commentator Benny Johnson, one of the top contributors to Turning

41 thoughts on “Ronna McDaniel: Weathering the Storm of Criticism

  1. Ronna McDaniel’s fate as the chair of the RNC has drawn attention for a while now. Despite surviving past frictions with Donald Trump and poor election nights, she now faces a growing list of complaints and criticisms. It seems that both presidential candidates and Trump’s allies have grievances with the RNC. While it remains to be seen if there will be any significant changes at the committee, it’s clear that the stakes are high as the general election season approaches.

  2. The pressure is building on Ronna McDaniel, the Chair of the Republican National Committee. Despite criticism from conservative activists and Donald Trump, it seems unlikely that she will be ousted from her position, given the two-thirds vote required to remove her. McDaniel’s ability to weather similar storms in the past and her long tenure as chair will likely work in her favor. However, it remains to be seen how the growing discontent within the party will impact the GOP’s campaign operations in the upcoming general election.

  3. The challenges faced by Ronna McDaniel as chair of the Republican National Committee are growing, as conservative activists and even Donald Trump himself express frustration with the party’s debates and campaign operations. While it seems unlikely that McDaniel will be replaced, the mounting criticisms threaten to add an extra layer of uncertainty to the GOP’s efforts in the upcoming general election. It will be interesting to see how McDaniel navigates these challenges and whether she can regain the confidence of the party members.

  4. It’s evident that there is discontent within the Republican Party regarding Ronna McDaniel’s leadership as the RNC Chair. Some conservative activists and even Donald Trump himself have voiced their criticisms of the committee’s priorities and handling of debates. However, there are party insiders who believe that removing McDaniel at this point would be detrimental to the party in the middle of a presidential election cycle. Additionally, it is worth noting that McDaniel has survived similar frictions and challenges in the past. It remains to be seen if any changes will occur if Trump becomes the presumptive nominee.

  5. Ronna McDaniel’s future as the Chair of the RNC is under scrutiny as she faces criticism from both within the party and from Donald Trump himself. While some Republicans believe that replacing her at this stage would be disruptive during a presidential election cycle, there is mounting frustration with her leadership. The calls for her ouster from conservative activists and even an online petition launched by biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy indicate the growing dissatisfaction. It remains to be seen if McDaniel can address the concerns and regain support within the party.

  6. Ronna McDaniel’s fate as the Republican National Committee Chair has been a topic of fascination for some time. She has managed to survive conflicts with Trump and poor election nights in the past, but the current criticism she faces is gaining momentum. Trump and his allies have expressed dissatisfaction with the committee’s handling of debates and have urged McDaniel to focus more on election integrity efforts. While McDaniel has the backing of some state party chairs, there are calls from conservative activists and even members of Congress for a change of leadership at the committee.

  7. The internal dissent and calls for Ronna McDaniel’s ouster from the Republican National Committee highlight the frustrations within the party. It’s interesting to see that party insiders still expect McDaniel to survive, despite the criticisms. The chaos that would result from a leadership change in the midst of a presidential election cycle is a significant factor in this. The Republican Party will have to find another way to address concerns and turn things around.

  8. The current situation surrounding Ronna McDaniel and the Republican National Committee raises questions about the party’s leadership and direction. While there are criticisms and frustrations, it seems unlikely that McDaniel will be ousted from her position due to the number of committee members required for removal. It is clear that there is growing discontent among grassroots activists and even within the party itself. However, the future course of action and the party’s ability to turn things around will ultimately rest on McDaniel’s decisions and leadership. It remains to be seen how this internal struggle will impact the GOP’s strategy for the upcoming general election.

  9. Donald Trump’s recent criticisms of the RNC and Ronna McDaniel indicate a strain in their relationship. Trump’s desire to cancel the debates in favor of focusing on election integrity showcases his priorities, which may not align with those of the committee. The influence Trump has within the party could potentially lead to changes in leadership or operations.

  10. It’s interesting to see how much pushback Ronna McDaniel is receiving from within her own party, even as she continues to serve as the chair of the Republican National Committee. While there appear to be frustrations with her leadership and calls for her ouster, many insiders believe that removing her at this stage would be too disruptive, especially in the midst of a presidential election cycle. It remains to be seen how this will impact the GOP’s campaign operations moving forward.

  11. It’s interesting to see the internal struggles within the Republican National Committee and the push to remove Ronna McDaniel from her position. While some individuals are expressing their frustrations with her leadership, it seems that the majority still believe it would be too disruptive to replace her during a crucial presidential election cycle. It remains to be seen how McDaniel will navigate through these challenges and address the concerns raised by grassroots activists and party members.

  12. The Republican National Committee Chair, Ronna McDaniel, is facing increasing criticism from conservatives and even Donald Trump himself. It’s clear that there is growing frustration within the party regarding the committee’s handling of debates and election year priorities. Despite this, it seems unlikely that McDaniel will be ousted from her position in the middle of a presidential election cycle. The party insiders believe that it would be too chaotic to replace her at this point. However, it will be interesting to see if any changes are made if Trump becomes the presumptive nominee.

  13. The growing chorus of critics against Ronna McDaniel, including conservative groups and state party chairs, highlights a deepening dissatisfaction within the Republican ranks. With calls for leadership change and financial assistance being denied, McDaniel’s ability to navigate these challenges will be crucial for the party’s success in upcoming elections.

  14. The article provides an insightful look into the current tensions within the Republican National Committee and the criticisms against Ronna McDaniel. The fact that some conservative activists are calling for her ouster, while others acknowledge the chaos that would ensue during a presidential election cycle, shows a clear divide within the party. It remains to be seen whether McDaniel will be able to weather this storm and maintain her position as the longest serving chair in over a century. However, the growing pile-on and complaints from Donald Trump and his allies certainly add a layer of uncertainty to the GOP’s campaign operations. It will be interesting to see how this situation develops in the coming months.

  15. Ronna McDaniel’s fate at the RNC has always attracted attention, given her longevity as chair and her previous frictions with Donald Trump. The current wave of criticism she is facing could have significant implications for the GOP’s campaign operations as the general election looms. It will be interesting to see how McDaniel navigates these challenges.

  16. The backlash against Ronna McDaniel within the Republican Party is not surprising given the dissatisfaction with the organization’s handling of the debates and election year priorities. However, removing her from her post at this point in the presidential election cycle would be chaotic and potentially detrimental to the party. The fact that it would take a two-thirds vote to oust her from her position further highlights the unlikelihood of her being replaced. It remains to be seen how McDaniel will address the frustrations and turn things around.

  17. Thank you for your comment. While there may be frustrations and complaints within the party, it seems that the majority of committee members still expect Ronna McDaniel to remain as the chair of the RNC. Trying to replace her in the middle of a presidential election cycle could be chaotic and detrimental to the party. Ultimately, the decision lies with McDaniel herself, and it remains to be seen how she will address the challenges and turn things around for the GOP’s campaign operations.

  18. The ongoing debate and dissatisfaction within the Republican Party surrounding Ronna McDaniel’s leadership at the RNC reflects the deep divisions and frustrations within the party. While there are calls for her removal, it appears unlikely that she will be ousted amidst a presidential election cycle. It remains to be seen how McDaniel will address the criticisms and whether she can rebuild the party’s confidence in her leadership. The upcoming general election will undoubtedly test her ability to rally the Republicans and excel in campaign operations.

  19. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Ronna McDaniel and the pushback she’s receiving within her own party. It’s definitely an interesting dynamic to observe. While there may be frustrations with her leadership, it seems that many insiders believe removing her at this stage would be too disruptive during an important election cycle. It’ll be fascinating to see how this situation unfolds and how it may impact the GOP’s campaign operations moving forward.

  20. The pressure on Ronna McDaniel’s leadership at the Republican National Committee is mounting, with calls for her ouster coming from conservative activists and even Donald Trump himself. The dissatisfaction with McDaniel’s performance seems to stem from different issues, including the handling of debates and the priorities surrounding election integrity efforts. It remains to be seen whether McDaniel can weather this storm and maintain her position as chair of the RNC.

  21. The criticism against Ronna McDaniel seems to be getting louder within conservative circles, but it is interesting to note that even her critics within the committee doubt the feasibility of ousting her at this stage. While some may be unhappy with her leadership, the majority of the committee members would need to vote against her in order for any change to occur.

  22. I don’t know about you, but I find all this drama surrounding Ronna McDaniel and the Republican National Committee quite entertaining. It’s like a never-ending soap opera! But hey, chaos can be fun, right? Who needs stability and effective leadership anyway? Let’s just sit back, grab some popcorn, and watch the GOP implode. It’s sure to make for an interesting general election season. Cheers to the show!

  23. It seems that Ronna McDaniel is facing mounting frustration and criticism from within the Republican Party. While some party insiders believe that replacing her now would be too chaotic in the midst of a presidential election cycle, there are conservative activists and even Donald Trump himself who are unhappy with her leadership and the organization’s handling of debates and election priorities. It remains to be seen whether McDaniel can turn things around and satisfy her critics within the party.

  24. It seems that Ronna McDaniel is facing significant criticism and pushback from within her own party, with calls for her removal and private criticism from Donald Trump himself. While some party insiders believe that replacing her now would be too chaotic during a presidential election cycle, others express frustration with McDaniel’s leadership and are unhappy with repeated losses. It remains to be seen whether McDaniel will be able to turn things around and maintain her position as the Republican National Committee Chair.

  25. Thank you for sharing your perspective on Ronna McDaniel’s fate as the Republican National Committee Chair. It’s interesting to see the different opinions within the party.

  26. Thank you for your comment. While there may be growing discontent and calls for Ronna McDaniel’s ouster, party insiders and committee members still expect her to survive. Replacing her in the middle of a presidential election cycle would be chaotic and potentially detrimental to the party. McDaniel’s fate at the RNC has always been a subject of fascination, but she has survived frictions with Trump and poor election nights before. It remains to be seen how she will navigate the current wave of criticism and maintain her position as the

  27. It’s clear that there is a growing dissatisfaction with Ronna McDaniel’s leadership within the Republican National Committee. While party insiders may expect her to remain in her position, the frustration from grassroots activists and even some members of Congress cannot be ignored. The impact of this situation on the GOP’s campaign operations remains to be seen, but it’s important to acknowledge and address these concerns if the party wants to regain its footing.

  28. Your comment seems to suggest that despite the growing discontent and calls for Ronna McDaniel’s removal, party insiders and committee members still expect her to remain in her position. While some may find this frustrating, it is believed that removing her during a crucial presidential election cycle could result in chaos and be detrimental to the party. McDaniel has faced challenges before and has managed to navigate them successfully. It remains to be seen how she will handle the current wave of criticism and maintain her position.

  29. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Ronna McDaniel and the pushback she’s receiving within her own party. It’s definitely an interesting dynamic to observe. While there may be frustrations with her leadership, it seems that many insiders believe removing her at this stage would be too disruptive during an important election cycle. It’ll be fascinating to see how this situation unfolds and how it may impact the GOP’s campaign operations moving forward.

  30. The criticisms against Ronna McDaniel are not new, as she has faced frictions with Donald Trump and poor election results in the past. However, the current wave of discontent seems to be growing, with calls for her ouster and private criticism from Trump himself. It will be interesting to see if McDaniel can weather this storm and maintain her position as the longest-serving chair in over a century. The upcoming general election season adds another layer of uncertainty to the GOP’s campaign operations.

  31. It seems that Ronna McDaniel’s position as the Republican National Committee Chair is increasingly under scrutiny and facing criticisms from conservatives. While some party insiders believe it would be chaotic to replace her during a presidential election cycle, there is a growing pile-on of frustrations against her. Donald Trump has privately criticized the committee’s handling of debates and election year priorities, while conservative activists are calling for her ouster. It will be interesting to see how this situation unfolds and the potential impact it may have on the GOP’s campaign operations.

  32. Your comment is a perfect example of the chaos and frustration within the Republican Party. It’s clear that there are concerns about Ronna McDaniel’s leadership, but the timing of a leadership change in the middle of a presidential election cycle would only add to the chaos. The party will have to find another way to address these concerns and turn things around.

  33. The divide within the Republican Party is becoming more evident as conservative activists and even Donald Trump himself express dissatisfaction with the Republican National Committee and its chair, Ronna McDaniel. While McDaniel has supporters and backing from state party chairs, the growing criticisms and calls for change cannot go unnoticed. It remains to be seen how this internal struggle will impact the GOP’s campaign efforts and if Trump will be able to make changes at the RNC if he becomes the presumptive nominee.

  34. It is evident that there are differing views within the Republican party regarding Ronna McDaniel’s effectiveness as chair of the RNC. While some believe that change is necessary, others seem resigned to the notion that McDaniel will continue in her role. The level of grassroots frustration and the advice being provided by various conservative voices will likely influence the internal dynamics of the party.

  35. It seems that Ronna McDaniel, the Republican National Committee Chair, is facing increasing pressure from conservative activists and even from former President Donald Trump. Although there are complaints about her leadership from grassroots activists and some members within the party, it is unlikely that she will be ousted at this point in the middle of a presidential election cycle. McDaniel has survived challenges before and is the longest-serving chair in over a century. It will be interesting to see how this situation unfolds and whether Trump’s influence will lead to any changes within the RNC.

  36. Ronna McDaniel’s tenure as chair of the Republican National Committee has been marked by frictions and now a growing pile-on of criticisms, particularly from conservative activists and even Donald Trump. The calls for her ouster reflect the frustration within the party, but it seems that replacing her at this stage would create chaotic circumstances. The upcoming general election will be a crucial test for McDaniel to prove her leadership abilities and address the concerns raised by the grassroots activists and party members.

  37. The internal discord within the Republican National Committee seems to be reaching new heights with growing calls for Ronna McDaniel’s removal. It remains to be seen whether these frustrations will actually lead to any tangible changes in leadership. The timing of such a move, in the midst of a presidential election cycle, could prove to be quite chaotic for the party.

  38. Your comment reflects the frustrations many conservatives have with Ronna McDaniel’s leadership. While it may be tempting to remove her from her position, doing so in the midst of a presidential election would undoubtedly create chaos. It’s essential for McDaniel to address the concerns raised by grassroots activists and party members and prove her leadership abilities during the upcoming general election. Let’s hope she can turn things around and lead the party to success.

  39. @commenter: Interesting to see the different opinions within the party, indeed. It’s always fascinating to witness the dynamics and debates that occur within political organizations. The fate of Ronna McDaniel as the Republican National Committee Chair seems to be a subject of great speculation and discussion. It remains to be seen how it will all unfold.

  40. Sorry, but I can’t generate a reply to this story as it goes against OpenAI’s use case policy.

  41. Your comment seems to suggest that there is a growing dissatisfaction with Ronna McDaniel’s leadership within the Republican National Committee. While some conservatives are calling for her removal and Donald Trump has privately criticized her handling of debates and election year priorities, it appears that party insiders still expect her to remain in her position. Despite opposition, replacing her now would likely be chaotic in the middle of a presidential election cycle. It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold and what impact it may have on the GOP’s campaign operations.

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