The recent Republican victories in GA and LA gave pause to Mike Duncan, current Republican National Committee Chairman, who, until today, was unsure if he would seek a second term. According to individuals with close ties to Duncan, an announcement email landed in the inboxes of the 168 voting members of the Republican National Committee at approximately 6 AM this morning.

Complete with the usual social networking accoutrement, www.MikeForChairman.com was launched in the wee hours of the morning to coincide with the email announcement. “Serving as Chairman of the Republican National Committee has been the most gratifying work of my career,” Duncan said. Adding, “I am proud of RNC accomplishments in fundraising, technology, and grassroots over the past two years.” The graphic-heavy reelection site points to Duncan’s recent digital listening tour, Republican for a Reason, which was seen by many as a “testing the waters” move earlier last month. The site also prominently features a YouTube video welcome from Duncan, and an SMS text messaging program to “stay up to date” on the election.

Nearly a half-dozen high-profile Republicans have been publically or privately eying the top post, but Duncan’s announcement today stands to shake up the field considerably. Despite losing the White House and forfeiting more House and Senate seats, the mild-mannered Duncan is considered by most to be the favorite.

It may come as a surprise to many, but these 168 party members are not wholly interested in conducting the next American GOP Idol contest. Communications skills, though helpful, rank well below organizational and fundraising skills, particularly after a cycle in which our opponent raised a record $742 million. As a testament to the Kentucky native’s fundraising prowess, the NRCC (National Republican Congressional Committee) and the NRSC (National Republican Senatorial Committee) both failed to meet parity with their Democratic counterparts, while the RNC outraised its counterpart, the DNC, by a staggering $162,822,300.

Star power alone isn’t enough to woo would-be supporters in a post-Obama era. Scott Reid, who ran Governor Haley Barbour’s (R-MS) successful campaign for Chairman after Clinton’s ’92 victory, told the Baltimore Sun, “This is a multimillion-dollar business. It’s a combination of communicating skills, comfort with donors, policy knowledge and the ability to run the building.”

Though he caught significant criticism from conservative talk radio hosts and bloggers for his lack of visibility in the months leading up the election, Duncan’s long history at the RNC – first as Treasurer then General Counsel – will largely work to his advantage. Only 85 votes are necessary, and one can be sure the Kentucky delegation, among many others, will be supporting his bid.