The Friday edition of The Afternoon Briefing, courtesy of The Washington Times. Check back here at The Republican Temple early Monday for The Morning Briefing.

I think the Republican Party did themselves a big favor today as they elected their first black chairman in the party’s history.  The GOP officially elected Michael Steele, former Lt. Governor of Maryland, as their chairman; Steele put away such strongmen as incumbent Mike Duncan, South Carolina chair Katon Dawson – who was actually ahead after 4 rounds of voting -  and Michigan state chair Saul Anuzis.

But the victory by Steele didn’t come without a bit of controversy as on Thursday, RNC members found under their door a one-page flier, saying that Steele was soft and actually a social liberal.  That sure sounds like something a covert Democrat with access to the proceedings would have done. 

Duncan, while effective early on in his chairmanship, seemed to have lost touch with the party and the party’s constituency, as evidenced by the shellacking the party took during the 2006 senatorial and 2008 races.  That folks, is proof that new leadership was in order at the RNC.  Steele is eloquent, has the party’s core ideals and intentions at heart, and just as importantly – he will be able to draw into the party blacks who are currently Democrats and other party members.

So basically, the GOP got their batteries charged as they elected – in my opinion – the best candidate of the slate available.  It is most definitely exciting times for the party right now; certainly the liberal media will have a field day with this as they probably incorrectly assumed that Duncan was a lock for the chairmanship of the GOP.

The Friday edition of The Morning Briefing, courtesy of The Washington Times. Check back here later today for The Afternoon Briefing.

The Thursday edition of The Afternoon Briefing, courtesy of The Washington Times. Check back early tomorrow for The Morning Briefing.

You knew it was going to happen, despite his impassioned pleas proclaiming his innocence.  The outcome was not in doubt insomuch as the final score – so to speak.  Long story short, the Illinois state Senate ousted Rod Blagojevich out of office by a 59-0 vote.

Because of the vote’s outcome, Lieutenant Governor Patrick Quinn becomes the state’s new governor; it only got worse for Blagojevich besides his getting voted out of office.  He also has been barred from ever holding public office in the state of Illinois again, again by the vote of 59-0.

Now that the Blagojevich issue has been settled, The Republican Temple poses this question to you, the reader of this blog; the question is this:

Now that Rod Blagojevich no longer holds public office, what do you think his next career move will be?  To submit your answer, just click the COMMENT link just underneath the headline.  The best answers will be posted on Thursday, February 5.

The Thursday edition of The Morning Briefing, courtesy of The Washington Times. Check back later today for The Afternoon Briefing.

Greg Pierce of the Washington Times discusses the lack of oversight in Congress.