Bondagegate or Strippergate

Almost immediately after the news broke this week about the Republican National Committee's "Bondage-Gate," scandal, the fallout began. And it hasn't been good for either the RNC or its embattled chairman, Michael Steele.

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum said he was "disgusted" by the incident in which the RNC expensed a nearly $2,000 bill for a risque Los Angeles nightclub. Meanwhile, other GOP figures, such as Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) and former Bush adviser Karl Rove seemed similarly troubled by the RNC's apparent reckless spending.

Steele has been no stranger to criticism. A recent National Journal poll of political insiders found that a large majority of GOP politicos considered Michael Steele a "liability."

A look at some of the recent fallout:

Tony Perkins, director of the religious Conservative group the Family Research Council, has penned an email newsletter to his organization that will encourage members not to donate to the RNC, Politico's Ben Smith reports.

"I've hinted at this before, but now I am saying it -- don't give money to the RNC," Perkins' email newsletter will read, according to Politico. "If you want to put money into the political process, and I encourage you to do so, give directly to candidates who you know reflect your values."

RNC Tries To Change Subject, DNC Shoots

On Wednesday, RNC Communications Director Doug Heye tried to alleviate some of the pressure on his group by releasing a list of DNC expenditures to reporters.

The DNC shot back quickly with an email accusing the RNC of "flailing" in an attempt to "change the subject."

�The DNC, unlike the RNC, does not conduct business while watching women engaged in lesbian bondage scenes,� the email from DNC spokesman Hari Sevugan read.

Donors Shifting Money Away From RNC

Since Michael Steele was elected chairman in January 2009, big-time GOP donors have begun to bypass the RNC, instead choosing to donate to other party groups like the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee, the Daily Caller reports Wednesday.

�I think the party loses any moral standing to talk with credibility about how Democrats are spending taxpayer money when the RNC is being arguably as reckless with donor money,� one donor told the Daily Caller. �This has given the RNC the opportunity to quibble over whether he was there and I don�t care if he knew about that � he certainly knew about the private jets and the limousines and five star hotels.�

California Congresswoman: 'I Think He's A Goner'

On an appearance on MSNBC Wednesday, Rep. Maxine Waters, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, offered her opinion on Michael Steele's future as RNC chairman.

"Every few months we hear something about Michael Steele, and I think this one is worse than the last three or four things we've heard about him -- I think he's a goner," she said.

When asked if his position as the first African-American RNC Chairman would effect his job security, Rep. Waters responded: "No, I don't think so...it's perhaps credible to say he's gotta go no matter what color he is."

Karl Rove Disses Steele

Former George W. Bush strategist Karl Rove offered his insights into the RNC scandal after a recent book signing in California, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

When asked if the issue would reflect on RNC Chairman Michael Steele, Rove responded, "Sure it does."

Rove continued: "The chairman of the Republican National Committee, for good or for ill, is the steward of the party's money."

Despite this, Rove said all in all, "The question is not Michael Steele...The question is the management of the building and whether the procedures are in place to spend money on elections - and not to spend money on jets and bondage clubs."

Rep John Shadegg doesn't want Steele to Resign!!!

Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) said in an MSNBC interview that the RNC's conduct was "unacceptable."

"I think it's unacceptable, I think it has to stop, and I think he's got a lot to explain before he can, I think quite frankly, receive the support of the party to stay in the job," Shadegg said.

As for Steele's job future, Shadegg said: "At this point I'm not calling for his resignation, but I think there has been excessive spending and I don't think it's defensible."

Chuck Devore's Campaign Dumps Erik Brown

Chuck DeVore's campaign has "severed all ties" with Erik Brown, the political consultant who charged a nearly $2,000 strip club outing to his RNC credit card, CNN reports.

A spokesman for the DeVore campaign released a statement clarifying that their partnership with Brown's firm, Dynamic Marketing, Inc., had been "brief and straightforward."

"We had them print some campaign letterhead, trifold signs, and stickers," the statement read. "That engagement ended some weeks ago when we contracted with a different printer, and will not resume.

Rick Santorum Criticizes RNC for Strippergate!

Former GOP U.S. Senator (and potential 2012 presidential contender) Rick Santorum criticized the RNC for the recent nightclub incident following a Tuesday luncheon for an Iowa Republican Party, the Iowa Republican reports.

�There is no excuse for people�s contributions to the RNC to go to pay for this behavior,� Santorum said. �Frankly, I�m disgusted by it."

Santorum's criticism extended to Michael Steele as well, as he said there was "an absence of leadership at the RNC.�

�As a leader, you set the tone for your organization. If somebody who worked for my organization did something like this, they would be out of a job,� Santorum continued.

Steele Skating on Thin Ice

A Republican lawmaker who asked to remain anonymous told The Hill that Steele's relationship with GOP leaders is "not good at all."

"Steele lacks a base of support. The donors, the activists will all drop him if they sense he might squander the electoral opportunity of the decade," the lawmaker said.