1.  Politico.com reported that Michael Steele, Chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC), is spending twice as much as his recent predecessors on private planes, limousines, catering, flowers, and expensive hotels.
 
“Michael Steele is an imperial chairman,” one longtime GOP fundraiser told Politico.  “he flies in private aircraft.  He drives in private cars.  He has private consultants that are paid ridiculous retainers.  He fancies himself a presidential candidate and wants all of the trappings and gets them by using other people’s money.”
 
Some of the other RNC extravagances under Steele have included stays at Ritz-Carlton hotels in Chicago, Denver, Marian del Rey, Westchester, and Boston; suites and tickets to Washington Nationals and Washington Redskins games; tour guides and live entertainment in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; and expensive parties at trendy locations.
 
Under Steele, the RNC has raised $10 million less than it did in 2005 and spent $10 million more.  By the end of 2009, the $23 million in the bank that Steele inherited when came into office had shrunk to $8.4 million.
 
As a result, some donors to the RNC have become angry and shifted their contributions to other committees, including the Republican Governors Association and the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
 
One major donor told Politico, “We’ve written off the RNC.  We’re playing elsewhere.”
 
 
2.  In Florida, conservative Marco Rubio may be on the way to landslide victories in both the Republican primary and the general election for U.S. Senator.
 
A new Rasmussen Reports found Rubio has widened his lead over moderate Charlie Crist by an impressive 18-point margin.
 
The latest figures show Rubio at 54%, Crist at 36%, 4% favor other candidates, and 7% undecided.
 
The GOP primary will not be until August 24, but if Rubio wins, he is likely to crush his Democratic opponent, Congressman Kendrick Meek.
 
A separate Rasmussen poll indicates that Rubio would win 51% to 31% with 7% opting for other candidates and 11% undecided.
 
These potential overwhelming victories would propel Rubio into the national limelight.
 
 
3.  To replace Charlie Crist as governor of Florida (who replaced Jeb Bush), former GOP Congressman Bill McCollum looks potent in a race against Democrat Adelaide "Alex" Sink, the wife of the Democratic candidate, Bill McBride, who Bush beat in 2002.
 
Another Rasmussen survey had McCollum with 48%, Sink with 35%, 4% for others, and 12% undecided.
 
 
4.  In Texas, conservative Governor Rick Perry could win the GOP nomination without a runoff on March 2.
 
A new Rasmussen Reports had Perry at 48%, moderate Kay Bailey Hutchinson at 27%, Tea Party activist Debra Medina 16%, and undecided 9%.
 
If no candidate receives a majority, a runoff will be held on April 13.
 
Texas permits “early voting” before election day and the Houston Chronicle reports that, compared to 2006 (also a non-presidential election), there is a significant increase in participation in the Republican Primary throughout the state. 
 
Rasmussen surveyed those persons who say they have already cast ballots. The results from this group were Perry 49%, Hutchinson 24%, and Medina 20%.