Michael Steele dubs Reince Priebus 'numbnuts' in war of RNC heads

Former Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele blasted his successor in a radio interview Tuesday, calling Reince Priebus "numbnuts" and asserting he would beat him in a fistfight.

Steele made the comments in an interview on the Andrea Tantaros show, first reported by the Washington Examiner. The former RNC chair was upset with Priebus's recently announced review of the committee in the aftermath of November's electoral losses, which included a pledge to spend $10 million on minority outreach and a revamp of the RNC's data operations.

"The bottom line is you've got to be focused on what the purpose and the role of the party is," Steele said. "The national party is too big for its own britches right now. It's centered around itself."

Asked by Tantaros who would win in a cage fight, Steele said there was "no question" he would "clean his clock."

"Just one knock on the head. It's done," Steele said.

Priebus ousted Steele in a 2011 vote, and since then the former Maryland lieutenant governor has frequently critiqued his successor. Earlier in the week, Steele said Priebus was to blame for the party's current electoral struggles.

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