I wasn't using those testicles anyway

The latest episode of the Michael Steele Deathwatch comes from this story in the Moonie Times. As the hypothetical readers of this blog will recall, last week RNC Treasurer Randy Pullen and a group of former RNC officials presented Steele with "a resolution, calling for a new set of checks and balances on the chairman’s power to dole out money." Well, it looks like Pullen and his posse have got their way, because on Wednesday came word that

embattled Republican Party Chairman Michael S. Steele has signed a secret pact agreeing to controls and restraints on how he spends hundreds of millions of dollars in party funds and contracts, The Washington Times has learned.

Steele's enemies within the RNC were threatening to introduce a no-confidence vote at an upcoming special meeting on May 20. Now that Steele has backed down, does that mean he's safe?

I wouldn't count on it.

Remember, these are Republicans. They see attempts at compromise as a sign of weakness. Giving in to them only encourages them to attack twice as hard. Steele may think he's averted that no-confidence vote, but I wouldn't be so sure.

The Times story also mentions that the wingnuttiest of the wingnuts in the RNC have gained enough signatures to force a vote at the special meeting on a resolution labeling the Democrats as socialists, "despite the chairman's reservations about the political wisdom of the move." So expect to see all kinds of fireworks at the RNC's special meeting. If the crazies manage to pass their socialism resolution, they may be encouraged to go all the way and try to ditch Steele.

If the resolution is defeated and Steele manages to hang on to his job, it may be a sign that the GOP might be able to step back from the abyss. But if the resolution passes and/or Steele gets canned, it'll be another indication that the Republican Party has entered a death spiral.

Incidentally, it sure seems like Ralph Z. Hallow at the Moonie Times has a source among the anti-Steele faction at the RNC. The last thing Steele needed was to have this dirty laundry being aired in a would-be national publication. The fact that somebody at the RNC is leaking this stuff to the Moonie Times is another indication that Steele's enemies are out for his blood.