It's official: Reince Priebus takes the helm at the RNC with his work cut out for him: get out of debt, raise more money than ever before, repair relationships, and help people learn how to say his name

NOT SO CHUMMY TODAY. REINCE PRIEBUS & MICHAEL STEELE ON A HAPPIER DAY.

After a lock of jockeying for votes and reported dealmaking, the RNC has selected former Wisconsin GOP chairman, Reince Priebus, as RNC chairman.

Congratulations to a man who orchestrated a GOP-dominated set of elections in Wisconsin in November.

One of his first objectives has to be to convince activists and other state party officials that he is the real deal. He has not been without some pretty pointed criticism for his affiliations and manner of getting things done. This caustic and fairly detailed post at Red State is an example of how heated the opposition can be.

But he's also received strong endorsements from Wisconsin's new Governor, Scott Walker, and the state's most visible congressman, Paul Ryan, in the video he released to promote his bid for RNC chair. 

In the end,the big story of the day was that what many have been expecting for months finally happened: Michael Steele was forced to step down. Priebus' ascent to the post, though the most important part of the day for the GOP, is almost a secondary narrative. 

Two things seem fairly clear.

First, Priebus' victory shines a light on the efficacy of high-level endorsements and expressions of support, such as those Maria Cino received from the likes John Boehner, Mary Matalin, Ed Gillespie, and even Dick Cheney.

Second, he's got a tough job on two fronts: repairing the financial and organizational mess he has inherited, and re-establishing the relevance of the RNC, which was diminished in 2010 by forceful and effective third party organizations that raised money and organized ground troops very well. 

And, of course, he'll have to get used to helping people pronounce his name after the much-circulated John Stewart video.