For those unfamiliar with the Pink Panther series, Peter Sellers’ Inspector Clouseau character is a bumbling French detective who wreaks havoc while incompetently investigating crimes, and yet he succeeds because he somehow manages to be there when the crimes get solved. It’s hard not to be reminded of Clouseau when reading news that RNC chairman Michael Steele is running for another two year term.

Steele has been about as pitiful a chairman as could be imagined. He’s spent money recklessly and has had difficulty fundraising in the best environment for the GOP in a long time. While communication was supposed to be his strong suit, he’s been a constant distraction with a stream of embarassing gaffes. Yet in the end, in spite of his numerous bungles and for reasons having nothing to do with him, Republicans are poised for a massive nationwide landslide next week. You can bet that as he seeks re-election he’ll be happy to tout his tremendous success in turning the party around. And as a result, he’s likely to survive. No doubt, this will drive some Inspector Dreyfus out there to insanity.

Bonus: This is one of the best Inspector Clouseau scenes: