GOP Chairman Clings to Job, Warns of ‘Blood Bath’

Fighting to save his job, Republican Party Chairman Jim Nicholson warned Monday that a challenge to his leadership could trigger “turmoil or a blood bath” inside the GOP. His rivals continued to gauge support for his ouster.

Nicholson’s remarks angered some fellow Republicans who think a challenge is increasingly likely and should not be met with such blunt rhetoric.

“I was shocked,” said Richard Bearden, executive director of the Arkansas GOP. “I’m not saying Jim Nicholson shouldn’t run for another term, but if he does run, it should be as a part of an open process, not one that makes it sound like there will be repercussions if he is challenged.”

Disappointment with Nicholson and the party’s midterm election showing are expected to be a dominant topic at this week’s Republican Governors Assn. meeting in New Orleans. Nicholson hopes to secure his position before Republican National Committee members meet with governors Saturday. His critics view the meeting as a test of his strength.

“I’m looking at it,” Florida Republican Party Chairman Tom Slade said when asked if he would challenge Nicholson. “I don’t have any interest in tilting at windmills, but if the race is winnable I would sure be interested.”

Slade and his supporters are telephoning RNC members, “just kind of testing the waters.” He said at least 50 people are prepared to vote against Nicholson when he seeks a second term in January.

Nicholson said in a separate interview that more than two-thirds of the 165 RNC members had pledged to back him. “I don’t think in the end anybody will run against me because I really do have it locked up,” Nicholson said.

Michael Retzer, chairman of the Mississippi GOP, wrote to RNC members urging them to support Slade over Nicholson. Retzer said in an interview Monday that he suspects a challenger will emerge in the next week or 10 days, adding that Nicholson pledges could peel away when somebody contests him.

“A lot could change,” he said.