Poignant departure from her role as the Republican National Committee Chairwoman, Ronna McDaniel delivered an emotional farewell speech on March 8, 2024, urging GOP members to set aside internal differences and stand united in the face of upcoming electoral challenges.
McDaniel, who stepped down amidst pressure from former President Donald Trump, emphasized the critical need for internal cohesion within the Republican party. She voiced concerns about the formidable unity displayed by Democrats and their allies, emphasizing the importance of a similarly united front for the GOP.
Expressing her worries, McDaniel stated, “I think the thing I worry about the most is something we can control, which is our internal cohesion. We want to make sure that we’re united as we head into the next election.”
More Read
Throughout her tenure since 2017, McDaniel consistently advocated for party unity, acknowledging that it remained an elusive goal. Reflecting on her efforts, she highlighted the fundamental truth that the GOP can only succeed through addition, not subtraction.
In a personal account, McDaniel shared a poignant anecdote from her mother’s Senate campaign in 1994, where her grandfather, former Michigan Gov. George Romney, endorsed her mother’s GOP primary opponent. The endorsement resulted in a family division, an experience McDaniel urged the party to learn from. “It literally divided my family,” she revealed, underscoring the potential consequences of internal discord.
Despite facing diminishing support within RNC circles, McDaniel achieved the feat of becoming the longest-serving RNC chair in modern history. Her tenure coincided with challenging periods for the GOP, marked by fundraising struggles and significant losses in the House in 2018, the Senate, and the White House in 2020.
While the party regained control of the House in 2022, the victory fell short of the anticipated “red wave.” Acknowledging the need for change, McDaniel expressed confidence in her successors, RNC Chair Michael Whatley and RNC Co-Chair Lara Trump, both chosen by former President Trump.
“I am rooting so hard for Michael and Lara’s success. And I offer all the help and guidance I can to help ensure that you’re going to succeed in your roles,” McDaniel conveyed in a positive note of support for the new leadership.
As McDaniel bids farewell, her emotional plea for unity echoes as a call to action for GOP members to set aside internal differences and focus on a united front for electoral success in the future. The political landscape awaits the response of the Republican party to this heartfelt farewell.
