The surprise decision by Michael Steele to run for a second term to lead the Republican National Committee has sparked all kinds of angst and even more criticism of the embattled chairman.

The headline in the National Review, a magazine influential among GOP conservatives, is unmistakably clear: "Anybody but Steele."

The magazine's editorial goes on to say: "We admire his pluck, but not his judgment. It's time for someone else to run the RNC."

Steele, a former Maryland lieutenant governor and Senate candidate, took over the national party in 2009. The party is millions of dollars in debt. Some state leaders, such as in Ohio, complained that Steele did not do enough to help out during the midterm elections. Independent donor groups such as American Crossroads, which was founded by GOP political strategist Karl Rove, poured massive amounts of money into states and congressional races.

Some GOP donors tell Politico they won't raise money for the national party if Steele is re-elected by the 168-member committee in January.

"I have a hard time finding any major donor who would trust him to straighten out the RNC and run a principled and ethical fundraising operation," says Al Hoffman, a former party finance chairman.

As Steele spent the last month or so contemplating his political future, several GOP stalwarts jumped into the race to replace him. They include Reince Preibus, a Steele ally and leader of the Wisconsin GOP; Gentry Collins, the RNC's former political director; and Maria Cino, who ran the 2008 national convention in St. Paul.

(Posted by Catalina Camia)