Weigel

Tim Mak, who's been all over the race for RNC chairman, scoops the invitation to a fundraiser for one of Michael Steele's most serious rivals, Maria Cino. For as little as $100 supporters can attend a party at Mary Matalin's home co-hosted by Dick Cheney and former RNC chairman/current American Crossroads adviser Ed Gillespie.

Cino should be getting establishment support like this. She worked for both Bush presidential campaigns; she worked at a high level for the Bush administration. But there's really no deference at all to the incumbent chairman. There is hope out there that he sees the forces marshaled against him and passes on another run. This is why you're seeing a push from inside the RNC, from Oregon committeeman Solomon Yue, to probe the role and salary of Steele's personal assistant in preparing for the 2012 convention with a job -- liaison to the host committee -- that has not previously existed.