by Susan Vavrick

Results of the first ballot in the contest for Republican National Committee chairman:

Mike Duncan — 52
Michael Steele — 46
Katon Dawson — 28
Saul Anuzis — 22
Ken Blackwell — 20

The total for Duncan, the reigning GOP chair, was less than anticipated. They just announced box lunches are about to be sent in. Fried chicken, and deal-making, seem to be the order of the day.

P.S. The Capital Hilton has alerted the GOP that people need to be out of here by 5 p.m. so they can set up for a wedding. That might quicken things up. Or, in the words of one Anuzis backer, "Heck, we'll just go over to Burger King and continue."