RNC Chair Michael Steele Fights to hold onto his position

Michael Steele might need to polish his resume right quick. And in putting down his experience as the chairman of the Republican National Committee he would be wise to leave out:

• Picked public, losing fight with powerful right-wing radio host 
• Covered for employees who used company credit cards to pay for entertainment at lesbian themed bondage club.
• Drove organization into muti-million dollar debt

Of course, Steele also helmed the ship this past election when Republicans made historic gains in the House and Senate. But as the RNC members cast their ballots Friday for chairman-- and the one who will lead the party into the 2012 elections-- the above gaffes may be the summary judgement of Steele's tenure.

Opposing the current chair for the position is Wisconsin GOP chairman Reince Priebus, Michigan chairman Saul Anuzis, and Mario Cino endorsed by new House Speaker John Boehner.

The race has been playing out somewhat nastily over emails, with candidates accusing each other of distorting facts and planting false stories.

Primarily, the role of a party chairmen is to raise funds for the candidates. Steele was quite successful in raising million in the lead up to the 2010 election, but managed to squander it all during the cycle, forcing the committee to take out a $15 million loan.

Steele's defenders claim his spending, though large, was vital for the party to have made such a strong showing in the last election. And just as he was able to raise it before, he can do it again.

"Out of the pack, Michael Steele is a leader. The fundraising will come around, Just you watch." committeewoman Jody Down told the Associated Press.

No candidate has been flagged as an early leader in the race which is expected to last deep into Friday night.

There hasn't been any word yet what a potential Steele victory party could entail.

Reach Tom Dotan here