Ms. Hope called back later in the day to yield to the national chairman.

Farmer was the organization's first leader, serving as the national chairman from 1942 to 1944.

That would seem an easy test: a national chairman is supposed to endorse a party's nominees.

Finally there was some one thing the national chairman could see clearly.

After hosting the annual event since 1954, he was to continue serving as the association's national chairman.

"I would love for Newt to become our national chairman right now," he said.

But she held a news conference to announce a movement to draft him, and named herself national chairman.

The Republican national chairman said he expected the party to adopt the plan.

Bob didn't do it when he was national chairman.

"He's been the national chairman and the party's candidate for vice president," the newspaper said.