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14 January 2011
Last updated at 16:32 ET
The embattled chairman of the Republican Party has withdrawn his bid for re-election to the post.
Michael Steele, the party's first black chairman, was criticised for gaffes and mismanagement of party finances.
He trailed in balloting under way at the Republican Party's winter meeting.
Four other Republicans are vying to lead the party into the 2012 presidential election. Wisconsin state party chairman Reince Priebus held a narrow lead as voting continued.
Mr Steele urged his supporters to back Maria Cino, a Republican operative who worked in George W Bush's administration. She also has the endorsement of Republican House Speaker John Boehner.
Also trailing Mr Priebus were former Michigan party chairman Saul Anuzis, and Ann Wagner, former ambassador to Luxembourg under Mr Bush.
Mr Steele, former lieutenant governor of Maryland, was elected in January 2009 to the party's top post, two months after President Barack Obama became the first African-American to win the White House.
The Republican National Committee, under Mr Steele, led the party to sweeping victories in the mid-term elections in November, but has sizeable debts.
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Michael Steele, the party's first black chairman, was criticised for gaffes and mismanagement of party finances.
He trailed in balloting under way at the Republican Party's winter meeting.
Four other Republicans are vying to lead the party into the 2012 presidential election. Wisconsin state party chairman Reince Priebus held a narrow lead as voting continued.
Mr Steele urged his supporters to back Maria Cino, a Republican operative who worked in George W Bush's administration. She also has the endorsement of Republican House Speaker John Boehner.
Also trailing Mr Priebus were former Michigan party chairman Saul Anuzis, and Ann Wagner, former ambassador to Luxembourg under Mr Bush.
Mr Steele, former lieutenant governor of Maryland, was elected in January 2009 to the party's top post, two months after President Barack Obama became the first African-American to win the White House.
The Republican National Committee, under Mr Steele, led the party to sweeping victories in the mid-term elections in November, but has sizeable debts.
Webmaster Forum | SEO Forum | Coding Forum | Graphics Forum</b>