Rule of Law

The announcement by American Crossroads, a newly formed 527 committee, that it has hired Steven Law as President and CEO is significant.  Mr. Law has very close ties to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), having been the Senator's chief of staff and National Republican Senatorial Committee executive director.

There is a potent combination aligning between the American Action Network (a 501 c3 & c4) and American Crossroads. Involved in both of these new groups are Karl Rove and Ed Gillespie.  These are very smart, well connected people who have total understanding of RNC operations.  What this means is that RNC Chairman Michael Steele will stay where he is despite his gaffe prone performance because the real action will be elsewhere operating in a manner such that Steele cannot interfere.

With a reported $30 million in pledges already, American Crossroads is off to a spectacular start and will be a major player in the 2010 mid term election.  Meanwhile, the RNC will have a role in this year's election cycle, but the truth is Mr. Steele is there to keep the seat warm for his successor.  The wager is Steele won't manage to burn the RNC down until his replacement arrives in time for the 2012 presidential election.  There's not indication who that successor might be, but Mr. Law could emerge as a good candidate for the job.