Republicans are divided on Iraq. And domestic policy. And political strategies.

But even more dramatically, they're really divided over the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee.

The week after the Republicans were handed a series of devastating election defeats, the White House announced that Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) would take over as RNC chair. If recent history held, there was no appeal in the process -- the national committee has historically rubber-stamped sitting presidents' choice for party chairs.

But not this time, not with this president, and not with Martinez, who was immediately a controversial choice. The Republican base labeled him the "Harriet Miers of RNC chairs" and went to work in opposition to his selection.

At this point, with the Republican National Committee poised to make its decision, it looks like the fight could get ugly.