Michael Steel went rogue with his book release and party leadership was "caught by surprise". From The Washington Post:
Republican congressional leaders say they did not know that their party chairman, Michael S. Steele, was publishing a book until it was released this week, and they had no input in drafting what Steele is promoting as the blueprint Republicans should follow to win back power.
The release of Steele's book, "Right Now: A 12-Step Program for Defeating the Obama Agenda," surprised Republican congressional leaders, some of whom first learned of the book by watching Steele's television appearances this week, three top GOP congressional aides said Friday. The staffers would only describe their bosses' communications with the Republican National Committee chairman on condition of anonymity.
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Congressional leaders were surprised that Steele would publish such a blueprint without consulting with them or the party's candidates.
"They're not thrilled," said a third top Republican congressional staffer. "But they agree that it's par for the course for what he's done for the last six months."
The aide said congressional leaders believe Steele should be appearing on television as "Citizen Michael Steele selling Citizen Steele's book, not as RNC Chairman Steele selling Citizen Steele's book."
It's cold in the streets.