Priebus: Steele willing to work on RNC differences, but won't be 'handcuffed'

RNC Chair Michael Steele has reached an agreement with dissident party members to work through their differences over proposed rules that would rein in his power to spend GOP money, Republican Party of Wisconsin Chair Reince Priebus told WisPolitics.

Several RNC members introduced the resolutions in the name of good governance, but Steele backers have bristled as the proposals, dismissing them as an attempt to undercut the chair's authority.

Priebus ripped the proposals in an e-mail to RNC members, writing they were an attempt to embarrass and neuter Steele, who won election to the top GOP post earlier this year.

Asked about the dispute Friday evening before his speech to Wisconsin delegates, Steele deferred to Priebus, who led his campaign for RNC chair and oversaw his transition.

Steele would only say it was time to move past the rancor.

"Those who still want to wallow in name-calling and blaming and finger-pointing are welcome to do that. But they can do that without me," Steele said.

Priebus told WisPolitics later Friday night that Steele was willing to live with rules that help reinforce the transparency that Steele has been trying to instill in the party since taking over.

"But Michael is not going to be handcuffed," Priebus said.

Priebus declined to add details to any parameters Steele has discussed with those seeking the new rules.

-- By JR Ross