Is Reince Priebus ‘Shovel Ready’ in Race For RNC Chair?
by Dan RiehlReince Priebus is currently being touted as a front-runner to replace current RNC Chair Michael Steele. But Priebus’ leading role among a select group of high-powered Wisconsin attorneys targeting clients to assist them in maximizing stimulus dollars, at the same time the anti-stimulus RNC employed him as interim general counsel, raises some troubling questions, not just for Preibus, but for the Republican Party as a whole.
Michael Best Creates Economic Stimulus Team Press Release February 20, 2009 – lists Reince R. Priebus
Priebus isn’t only listed among a short list of key contacts, from 4 – 5, on multiple press releases like this one dated March 5, 2009 – he’s also listed as a co-author of the document. He’s also Co-Chair of the Construction Group and Government and Public Policy Group at Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, with ties to the National Utility Contractors, as well. He’s claimed to have two jobs in recent interviews, politics and law. But once one looks beneath the surface, it appears the two are somewhat indistinguishable.
Wisconsin Receives $529 Million in Federal Stimulus Money for Transportation Projects: Contractors Should be Ready for Fast Bidding and Expedited Project Timelines
It’s also worth noting that during Priebus’ first cycle as the Republican Party of Wisconsin chairman, the party paid his law firm, Michael Best & Friedrich (MBF), $80,000 for unspecified “legal fees.” All payments were made from 10/31/2008-11/13/2008. A review of FEC reports found the only prior RPW payments to MBF occurred in the 2004 election cycle. By that accounting, Priebus’ so called two jobs aren’t separate at all. He seems more interested in using one hand to wash the other, at the expense of taxpayers and donors. There is nothing new in that kind of politics, and very little that’s good for America, or the GOP – especially now.
Want to cash in on $42.5 million in stimulus spending, in addition to $300 million already alloted – call Reince Preibus.
He co-authored that document, apparently while also working for the RNC, as well. Additional documents here and here. Yet, just one week after annoucing his bid for RNC Chair, according to PolitiFact, Priebus was using social media to attack the very same stimulus package he used to enrich himself. Unfortunately, his hypocrisy couldn’t be any more clear.
In the wake of election victories, officials are working them into interviews and even social-networking messages, such as this Nov. 16, 2010 Twitter post from Reince Priebus (@ReincePriebus), chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin:
“Obama has grown fed. payroll by 141k workers-not counting Census, postal, & uniformed military. Wants to add 125k more.”
Priebus weighed in on this national topic — coincidentally we assume — about a week after his name came up in speculation about succeeding Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele at some point.
For perspective, here is current RNC Chair Michael Steele on the Stimulus in February 2009. In essence, at the same time the RNC was giving lip service to opposition against Obama’s huge spending that has left America piled with debt, the RNC’s general counsel, Reince Priebus, was out repeatedly beating the bushes for new clients to cash in.
If the Republican Party wants to regain its credibility with its base and a rising tide of Tea Party-minded voters, it simply can not nominate Obamacare lobbyists like Maria Cino, or stimulus junkies like Reince Priebus to head its national organization. It’s time for principled leadership within the Republican Party, including at the RNC. If the GOP continues down the road of politics as usual, it could experience a disastrous split in 2012. Clearly, Reince Priebus is not someone who would represent a turning of the page in that regard. I hope committee members will take the time to consider how their choice of an RNC Chairman in January will resonate across the base, for better, or worse.
The following is a transcript of RNC Chairman Michael Steele’s weekly Republican address: “This is Michael Steele, Chairman of the Republican National Committee. Democrats have controlled both branches of government for less than a month. And you have to wonder if all that power has gone to their heads. “For the last two weeks, they’ve been trying to force a massive spending bill through Congress under the guise of economic relief
“That’s why Republicans in the House voted against uncontrolled spending. This is not a bragging point, but rather a statement that at least Republicans would stand with the American taxpayer. “But voting ‘no’ is not enough… and Republicans have offered innovative ideas to help struggling families and small businesses.We’ve offered plans to spark job creation and investment through lower taxes, to stop the taxation of unemployment benefits, and to help Americans keep their jobs and their homes.
Update: While this post was being prepared, some of the information leaked out. Reince Priebus is now scrambling to scrub his own history. This page was saved before he started scrubbing his law firms website. This is how the page looks now.
Priebus is no longer listed as a “co-author” of the memo. But, he is still listed as a point of contact for people looking to maximize their haul of stimulus dollars.
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49 Comments
I thank the author for this expose'.
I particularly thank him, for the update at the bottom pertaining to "scrubbing" his information. That in and of itself is the second red flag.
As an aside, everything we talk about here, on all of these sites Breitbart has provided, is made possible through several documents. The Bill of Rights, and the Constitution. Today, is the anniversary of the date (December 15th 1791), that the Bill of Rights was ratified.
I'm surprised nobody made notice.
This RINO must not become the RNC chair!
This person wreaks of progressive criminality and underhanded leftyism!
Just say F**K NO to RINOs!
NO!!! Not just NO, HELL NO!!!!
IF I HAVE TO TYPE ANY LOUDER WE'LL NEED A NEW FONTSIZE!!!!!
"Today, is the anniversary of the date (December 15th 1791), that the Bill of Rights was ratified. I'm surprised nobody made notice."
I thought the same thing too. Today's "open thread" cited the repeal of prohibition, but not the Bill of Rights.
Well, I guess everyone has their priorities.
they want you to forget, Cowboy…
They want ALL of us to forget. As we slip silently and without a clue into the fog of world governance and statist
policy the last thing the minions of The Powers That Be want anyone to know is that this is a Constitutional Republic. One with limited suffrage, to boot.
Keep sounding the clarion call. Paul Revere would be proud of you…
sorry I missed that one. Bill of Rights would have been a good open thread.
Excellent piece Mr. Riehl, thank you.
Scrubbing information is what criminals do to hide a crime.
This person should have a (D) after his name.
I'm with you…HELL NO. No more RINOS.
attention BH fans everywhere…
Yes the Tea Party energized the electorate and rolled the House of Representatives. And yes, the GOP showed it has a pair and dug in against the Progressive nightmares foisted upon us by Obama and his minions. But be careful-
Be VERY careful.
The Progressives and inside the beltway RINO's are quite busy compromising the new Congress, and building the coalitions they need to finish that which they started. The repeal of DADT might now be a reality. They are trying to ram START through. There still is Susan Collins and Lizard Murkowski and others who might as well be left wing Democrats. The head of the RNC is only important internally.
Ultimately they better remember what Glenn Beck told Jim DeMint- one of the good guys, too. He said this:
'If you guys get it wrong this time you will cease to exist as a party'. We couldn't agree more. The Democrats have been taken over by the Progressive movement. Either the GOP represents Constitutional government of, by, and for the people or it DOESN'T. Everyone must cut the GOP no slack on this…
Will the Republicans ever learn? No more RINOs! Go Conservative or Go Home!
This crap weasel should be nowhere near the RNC chair!!
This double dealing I wash yours you wash mine behavior is exactly what must be ended now.
I agree too with many an assessment on this issue. We cannot allow the GOP to represent anything other than our Constitution.
Is there a list (or a site) compiled (dedicated for or of RINO's and progressive Republicans that can be monitored and targeted for removal next election? It seems something simple that I could do but don't have the resources and dedicated time. But I do believe a list we could share with others and monitor would be very valuable. Don't know if this is a dumb idea or not but I don't plan on sitting on my butt with regards to our government. I want to know as much as I can to be prepared for any possible situation we may face…..good or bad.
The name alone is reason to question this clown. Reince Priebus? Are you kidding? No wonder he is an angry imposter lawyer type! He should sue his parents and leave the rest of us alone!
Second, no wait….first, he is an attorney…My dad always told me that politicians are nothing more than bad attorneys with a rabid ego problem.
This is really unfortunate because he was a big reason that conservatives took back Feingolds seat , the governors mansion and both state houses here in Wi. He has been on all the local conservative talk shows here and there wasn't a word about this. Very disappointing.
Sounds like Latin. Wait 'till Bigus Dickus hears of this!
Copy that. Think how many real people the party could attract if they had people who did real jobs in these positions rather than lawyer after lawyer and the occasional accountant. Don't know about this guy, but just speaking generally – they are so out-of-touch they don't even pick up on just how sick we are of the same types of people. They like to talk change but not really practice it.
Ron Paul resonated with many Americans – many of whom would otherwise never consider themselves Republicans – and that was due in large part with him being a doctor.
Do tell.
Just sayin. Change your exemption status NOW!!! This will change how much they can take out of your paycheck to pay for their "pork" in these bills that are coming out. Pass the word!
Funny how the Bill of Rights, which was a limitation on Federal authority, was interpreted to cover the States too, which only served to give the Feds more power over the States.
You, Sir, are wise WELL beyond your years.
This whole lame duck debacle has served a considerable purpose.
It has revealed those who must go. RINOS and seditious progressives all.
Long live the Republic!
Seriously? The RNC is actually going to appoint a new Chairman who will end up spending the better part of his day telling people how to pronounce his name?!
Demand a cease and desist order against the congress.
We'll all be the better off for it.
Shut down congress.
The progressives last hurrah. Down with progressivism.
Adjourn congress before any more harm is done.
The progressives haven’t seen anger and hatred yet.
I would be EXTREMELY suspicious of this guy. I would also investigate any and all connections he may have to Joel Rogers, of University of Wisconsin-Madison: one of the most far left schools in America. Check out Joel Rogers, and look for his connections to the far left:
w ww.ssc.wisc.edu/soc/faculty/show-person.php?person_id=41
I'm not sure why so many people want to boot Steele out. The GOP picked up 63 seats in the House on his watch.
That should count for something. It looks really stupid to fire a winning coach.
Yeah, maybe he's had some issues. But a win is a win.
Just another thought…these Country Club Republicans like Reince Priebus (what kind of name is that?), are bad news. They drove the GOP into a tank in GHW Bush's administration. They did the same thing to Dubya.
Stay away from them. Cino sounds good. But Steele has been a success. 63 seats in the House is nothing to sneeze at.
Lets see now, so far we have,…….
a lukewarm Tea Party supporting existing RNC,..
a former tough (?) talking ambassador to a nation that has never counted,………
and now we have this stimulus money huckster.
As for me folks,…I am waiting until Sarah speaks on this matter and,…
she better say something soon or else she too will be part of the forthcoming problem.
where do they get these fools from? steele and 63 new seats, steele had nothing to do with it, there were elected in spite of steele. what's barry goldwater's son doing these days? No rinos, no progs, no way!!!
Does it really matter who is the titular head of a political party? Based on past experience, it seems that they are mainly cons, crooks, shills, and charlatans. So what does it really matter who sits in the big chair? I don't contribute to a political party. My small contributions go directly to a candidate's war chest if and when I suspect he/she is the real deal and not a fake.
Any conservative still giving money or time to the republican party should seriously reconsider their actions. Support good candidates regardless of label and a pox on both major parties.
I see it as the Tea Party was responsible picking up the 63 seats not Steele. As a manager of the finances he has not done well
expose? that's not what this is. it's a weak hit piece. listen, i have been a wisconsin republican for two decades, and i watched this party go from the party of big government, "compassionate conservatism" to a hard charging, tough as nails conservative party with a wicked strong conservative grass roots infrastructure. and the key to that change over was, in no small measure, reince priebus. i know. i work with the grassroots here. he's been a great asset to us. he wasn't out lobbying for clients to snatch stimulus dollars, he simply works for michael best–a law firm, yes–but a firm that has attorneys who have also been TREMENDOUS friends to us here in the state. how do i know this? i ASKED him about it after reading this post. he'll talk to you if you ASK! if i may, can you guys please ask us all first, before you bag on our guy? linking a couple of firm press releases to tar our chairman isn't journalism. and the joel rogers comment? put the bong down, man. that's just plain ridiculous. oh, and you're FREAKING WELCOME for what we did in WI to take out feingold.
Cino is horrible. She was a lobbyist for ObamaCare.
Party politics that is NOT monitored invites the less honest to feast at tax payer expense. those in a Party are responsible for the Party. We are ALL responsible for the Republic & defending OUR Constitution.
"Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress.
If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure,it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature. …If the next centennial does not find us a great nation … it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces." James Garfield
I also am from Wisconsin. I voted for every candidate that signed the "Contract from America". I belong to neither party but have attended several Tea Party events, lectures, education classes etc. I put forth the following;
“It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry.” Thomas Paine
Free speech will allow a defense for the People judge.
i don't disagree. But if you are not a party member, why does it matter who leads the party? OR maybe you just want a more conservative republican party? Well, we GOT that in Wisconsin. And if it is "error, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry", then this blog posting is perfect example.
yeah, i'm grooving on your quotes from garfield and paine, but how about YOU, wisconsin guy, weigh in PERSONALLY on this, since this is OUR state this blog posting is addressing! you are living here. did you like what happened 11/2 in wisconsin? do you think it was better than the last time around? or the time before that? or going all the way back to the heyday of governor thompson and the "big tent" fiasco? do you think we're moving in the RIGHT direction here, or the wrong direction here? is the party here better or worse now that it was 10 years ago?
true, party politics can veer quickly into corruption. but this isn't MONITORING party politics as much as it GETTING IT WRONG on one guy. so would this post be an example of the "people tolerating ignorance, recklessness and corruption" since i'm thus far the ONLY one who bothered to suggest corrections are in order? i'm for monitoring party politics. i'm still willing to claim this party, and fight for this party. seems an awful lot of these posters decided to give up. luckily for everyone there are lots of people still willing to call themselves republicans, and do everything we can to make it mean something special. and if we fail at our task, we at least fail fighting.
merry christmas.
Do you think he would consider submitting a rebuttal post? I don't know anything about him, it would be great to hear directly from him.
Oh, and FREAKING THANK YOU WISCONSIN, YOU TOTALLY ROCKED ON NOV. 2. :^D
It was expected that should Republicans regain some power, it would be their turn to feed at the trough. It's the job of citizens to call them out on it and demand it stop. Hopefully it doesn't come down to Republicans getting wiped out due to their stubbornness and resistance to change.
I left a note at wisgop.org asking if Reince planned to rebut Mr. Riehl. We'll see if he responds.
I belong to NO Party. I thought Tommy spent alot. Glad your Party is important to you. I love my Republic & Constitution FIRST. My ancsestors settled here in 1825 & were Lincoln Republicans. I do not hate anyone in a party.
“I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.” Thomas Jefferson
I have friends in different Political camps.
are you just finding impossible to answer a direct question. maybe i wasn't clear: do you or do you not think like what happened in wisconsin on 11/2/10? do you or do you not think the party has improved since the days of tommy thompson? please try to excise extraneous information from your answer. yes or no will suffice.
i don't know. i, like the poster above, have suggested he respond. and yeah, we did rock it this last election! so thanks for the props!
I do believe the voters are dragging the Republic in the Right direction, yes. But I credit We The People. Yes I also commend many in the GOP for listening.
I just looked at the saved page and the current website page that Dan Reihl says was changed. Well, it appears that they have now decided that keeping his name on the stimulus page is the better part of valor. The page has been returned to its former state. So I wonder what the excuse will be now?
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