Ron Christie

The first Republican Presidential Debate is tonight in Greenville, South Carolina. But few of the GOP’s leading contenders will be there. Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich are all opting out of the debate. South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley warned that Republican candidates who ignore South Carolina do so at their own peril. "Anyone that discounts South Carolina is making a huge mistake," Governor Haley told Fox News.

Reince Priebus was elected the GOP's new chairman on Friday, replacing Michael Steele. He alreday has his sites set on the 2012 presidential election, and taking down Barack Obama. Todd Zwillich, The Takeaway's Washington correspondent gives us some background on Priebus. And Ron Christie, CEO of Republican Christie Strategies and the author of "Acting White: The Curious History of a Racial Slur," said on our show last week he thought the new leader would be Saul Anuzis or Maria Cino. He'll share his surprise with us about the choice of Priebus, and how he thinks it will shape the GOP.

Conservatives from across the country have convened in Washington this week to elect the next Republican National Committee Chair. With the 2012 presidential election right around the corner, Republican officials are looking for a leader who can rally the base, attract new voters and, of course, raise money. Michael Steele, the current RNC chair, doesn't seem to have enough support to win a second term, although he has in some ways raised the profile of the office during his term. What else does the RNC Chair need to ensure a GOP win in 2012?

On a conference call with members of the Republican National Committee last night, Michael Steele ended several months of speculation and announced he will run again for chair of the RNC. His term as chairman has been marked by personal gaffes, attacks from prominent Republicans calling for his head, but also significant GOP pickups in both houses of Congress.

Howard Fischer, chief correspondent for Capitol Media Service in Arizona, and Ron Christie, vice president of the lobbying firm DC Navigators, talk about John McCain's support for a proposed ban on affirmative action in Arizona. Then Zev Chafets, journalist and author of A Match Made in Heaven: American ...