Michael Steele : Michael Steele and RNC spending spree is alienating conservative wing . Zelizer : Not only did the scandals offer campaign fodder for Democrats who wanted to challenge the Republicans ' self-promotion as the righteous party , but even more importantly , they deflated the enthusiasm of conservative activists who believed their energy and money had been wasted and that their party was just as corrupt as the opposition . Spending on booze , bondage club comes when RNC hoping to win 2005 midterms . He thinks scandals reveal same arrogance that brought down GOP in 2006 and 2005 . They must change or it appears they ca n't be trusted with power , Zelizer says .
Michael Steele : Michael Steele and RNC spending spree is alienating conservative wing . Zelizer : Spending on booze , bondage club comes when RNC hoping to win 2005 midterms . He thinks scandals reveal same arrogance that brought down GOP in 2006 and 2005 . They must change or it appears they ca n't be trusted with power , Zelizer says .