RNC Candidate Forum » Selected Questions and Responses | Rebuild the Party

Ask the Candidates...

Sign Up | Log In

Presented by Rebuild the Party and co-sponsored by YouTube, this RNC Candidates Forum is our last chance to quiz the candidates for RNC Chairman before the vote on January 30th.

At 11:59pm on January 19th, question submission and voting closed and we are presenting the ten questions below to the candidates for their video responses.

Read more about the questions and our selection process here.

Thank you for helping make this the most open and transparent RNC Chairman's race in history!

Sort By: Popularity | Newest | Oldest | Question Title | Out of RNC Scope

1) The Republican Party is the party of Lincoln. That fact was lost over the last 50 years due to missteps and decisions made by previous party leaders that alienated minority groups. How will you address the belief in the country that the Republican Party is exclusionary, and how will you regain Lincoln's mantle?

-- Carolyn Chandler asked on March 14, 2010 at 5:48 pm

Vote:

10

0

Overall Score

10

Report This Question

The Candidates on This Question

Ken Blackwell

Ken Blackwell

Katon Dawson

Katon Dawson

Mike Duncan

Mike Duncan

Michael Steele

Michael Steele

2) What is your strategy to take back the North East and other "blue states"? Will you support a "big tent" philosophy and support candidates who can win?

-- Douglas MacNeil asked on March 14, 2010 at 6:59 am

Vote:

14

2

Overall Score

12

Report This Question

The Candidates on This Question

Ken Blackwell

Ken Blackwell

Katon Dawson

Katon Dawson

Mike Duncan

Mike Duncan

Michael Steele

Michael Steele

3) Some people have insisted that the only function of the Chairman of the Republican National Committee is to "raise money and get Republicans elected." Others say that the RNC Chair should also work to insure: that liberal "Republicans" are not supported by the party; that liberal policies are publicly opposed by the RNC no matter what party a candidate or elected official belongs to; and that true conservative ideals and policy recommendations be advanced by the RNC itself. Do you believe your function if elected would only be as a CEO, or would also be as an advocate for conservatism and against liberalism?

-- Taft Republican asked on March 14, 2010 at 9:11 am

Vote:

17

4

Overall Score

13

Report This Question

The Candidates on This Question

Ken Blackwell

Ken Blackwell

Katon Dawson

Katon Dawson

Mike Duncan

Mike Duncan

Michael Steele

Michael Steele

4) By far the most widely recognized and probably the most significant advantage enjoyed by sitting members of Congress is the large amounts of campaign contributions they are able to raise, especially in comparison to those who run against them. As Chairman, and at your direction, will the RNC support incumbents regardless of their actual voting record as the default position? Or will the national party consider financially supporting alternative candidates who challenge sitting members?

-- Karl Weld asked on March 14, 2010 at 9:18 am

Vote:

14

1

Overall Score

13

Report This Question

The Candidates on This Question

Ken Blackwell

Ken Blackwell

Katon Dawson

Katon Dawson

Mike Duncan

Mike Duncan

Michael Steele

Michael Steele

5) Several videos have surfaced on the net showing the disparity between the popularity of a candidate by grassroots supporters and the translation of that to media time on major networks. Several popular Republican candidates suffered to break through because of the unequal times given to Democrats or less popular candidates. As RNC Chairman what will you do to ensure that all candidates are receiving equal time on the networks and addressing the issue of media bias.

-- Ben Scholtz asked on March 14, 2010 at 12:41 pm

Vote:

15

2

Overall Score

13

Report This Question

The Candidates on This Question

Ken Blackwell

Ken Blackwell

Katon Dawson

Katon Dawson

Mike Duncan

Mike Duncan

Michael Steele

Michael Steele

6) Will You Come Out Strong on Issues?

-- Mindy Finn asked on March 14, 2010 at 5:15 pm

Vote:

16

2

Overall Score

14

Report This Question

The Candidates on This Question

Ken Blackwell

Ken Blackwell

Katon Dawson

Katon Dawson

Mike Duncan

Mike Duncan

Michael Steele

Michael Steele

7) A Republican Secretaries of State Project

-- Patrick Ruffini asked on March 14, 2010 at 10:17 pm

Vote:

21

6

Overall Score

15

Report This Question

The Candidates on This Question

Ken Blackwell

Ken Blackwell

Katon Dawson

Katon Dawson

Mike Duncan

Mike Duncan

Michael Steele

Michael Steele

8) It is known that some Republican lawmakers at the state and federal level have ignored conservative principles at one time or another in favor of supporting liberal policy proposals, sometimes due to pressure from groups such as trial lawyers and feminists, who threaten retaliation come time for re-election. As RNC Chair, what, if anything, will you do to help address or alleviate this problem so that Republican lawmakers will stay true to their word, and stand behind the conservative principles they once promoted to become elected?

-- Michael Burns asked on March 14, 2010 at 5:19 pm

Vote:

22

4

Overall Score

18

Report This Question

The Candidates on This Question

Ken Blackwell

Ken Blackwell

Katon Dawson

Katon Dawson

Mike Duncan

Mike Duncan

Michael Steele

Michael Steele

9) Specific Items to Attract Young Voters

-- Aaron Marks asked on March 14, 2010 at 3:53 am

Vote:

36

5

Overall Score

31

Report This Question

The Candidates on This Question

Ken Blackwell

Ken Blackwell

Katon Dawson

Katon Dawson

Mike Duncan

Mike Duncan

Michael Steele

Michael Steele

10) A growing number of concerned citizens are distraught that they see more freedoms being taken away every day. Will you turn the focus to restoring the Constitution and retaining liberty as the message of the Republican party?

-- I. M. asked on March 14, 2010 at 8:57 pm

Vote:

58

7

Overall Score

51

Report This Question

The Candidates on This Question

Ken Blackwell

Ken Blackwell

Katon Dawson

Katon Dawson

Mike Duncan

Mike Duncan

Michael Steele

Michael Steele

Copyright © 2010 Rebuild the Party. All rights reserved.