Republican donors have accused Michael Steele, the party's national chairman, of wasteful spending, with one fundraiser describing his habits as "imperial."
They point to his decision to hold the Republican National Committee's winter meeting in Hawaii, Politico reports, and to hire an upmarket caterer for a Christmas party at the Newseum, Politico reports.
Politico compared Steele's spending in 2009 to the party's expenses in 2005, also an off-year before a midterm election. It said RNC spending on chartered planes doubled and catering costs jumped from $306,000 to $599,000.
"Michael Steele is an imperial chairman," a longtime fundraiser told Politico. "He flies in private aircraft. He drives in private cars. He has private consultants that are paid ridiculous retainers. He fancies himself a presidential candidate and wants all of the trappings and gets them by using other people's money."
Louis Pope, head of the Budget Committee, defended Steele, saying "nobody is living it up." Pope said Steele travels more than Ken Mehlman, the 2005 chairman, because he is in demand.
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