RNC Chairman Congratulates GOP Gubernatorial Winners, Claims They Signal "Republican Renaissance"

By Laura Smith - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele congratulated new Republican Governor elects, Bob McDonnell for Virginia, and Chris Christie for New Jersey, citing their victories as signs of a "Republican renaissance."

"The Republican renaissance has begun," said Steele. “The message was sent yesterday. It’s not about the change we need, it’s about the change we want.”

“As recently as a couple of months ago, Republicans were written off," Steele added. "Many of you were writing our epitaph."

He went on to say that independents played an important role Tuesday night, explaining that Republicans won independents 2-1.

“The real heroes last night, who brought home the victory, are the Republicans, Independents and yes, even Democrats, who spoke up against an incredibly arrogant government in Washington that has put our country our freedoms and our economy at risk with unprecedented spending,” he said.

A reporter asked Chairman Steele if he thought the loss of third party conservative candidate Dough Hoffman in New York's 23rd Congressional district should have been a warning to conservatives that they should back off the local party process. Steele responded, “There should have been, in New York 23, a primary process. There should have been a process that involved something other than having individuals in coordination with the state party make that decision. This is what happens in hot contestant races when you have that type of process in place.”