The Republican civil war continues.

Very weird quote from chairman of the Republican National Committee Michael Steele.

Mr. Steele said he is in stage two of a two-stage process to reform and transform the Republican Party. He won’t reveal details, because, “The mice who are scurrying about the Hill are upset because they no longer have access to the cheese, so they don’t know what’s going on.” He says his process has been “insular” because he doesn’t want people “pontificating” on his decisions or second-guessing them before they are made.”

Sounds like stage two of a two-stage process to get himself fired. While it’s not 100% clear who Steele is referring to, it’s difficult to read this – in context – as anything other than a reference to his GOP critics on the Hill. Not very smart.

A top adviser to Steele, in a Politico piece just two days ago, confirms the notion that Steele thinks a lot of Republicans are unfairly after him, which seems to be the notion behind the “scurrying mice” quote:

The chairman promised to clean house at the RNC if he won. He did, and he did. This has led to some serious griping inside the Beltway. Many were lying in wait, hoping he would stumble, so they could pounce. He did, and they did…. Change is never easy, of course, and many feel threatened by it. Steele’s election as chairman of the Republican Party was a shock to the system for many of the Republican ruling class, the old guard in Washington. Over the past week, countless anonymous sources have brought out the long knives. Indeed, over the past week, the empire has struck back.

Did Michael Steele just attack congressional Republicans one week after he narrowly survived a dust-up with Rush Limbaugh? The man seems to have a political death wish. We’ll see if he survives this one.