Michael Steele Deathwatch

[CNYSkinFan]

Yes he was on life support but I think he just pulled his own plug


GQ: Are you saying you think women have the right to choose abortion?
Steele: Yeah. I mean, again, I think that’s an individual choice.

GQ: You do?
Steele: Yeah. Absolutely.


source (http://men.style.com/gq/blogs/gqeditors/2009/03/the-reconstruct.html)

So the RNC chose a hip hop pro-choice rush limbaugh hating black man who is having trouble raising funds as their head? Brilliant!!!

[BurgundyNGold]

Yes he was on life support but I think he just pulled his own plug



source (http://men.style.com/gq/blogs/gqeditors/2009/03/the-reconstruct.html)

So the RNC chose a hip hop pro-choice rush limbaugh hating black man who is having trouble raising funds as their head? Brilliant!!!
Sounds like pretty centrist views. The GOP should follow his lead and leave those marginally effective social issues in the ashes of the culture wars.

[akhhorus]

Sounds like pretty centrist views. The GOP should follow his lead and leave those marginally effective social issues in the ashes of the culture wars.

He already backtracked on it, said he was "misquoted."

[BurgundyNGold]

He already backtracked on it, said he was "misquoted."
Sounds like it might be pretty hard to be "misquoted" with what he said. If I were GQ, I wouldn't retract anything. If pressed to do so, I'd release the interview tapes.

None of that changes the fact that the whacko wing of the GOP is far from dead. The party needs to move center and occupy that area but the GOP will probably die first.

[akhhorus]

Sounds like it might be pretty hard to be "misquoted" with what he said. If I were GQ, I wouldn't retract anything. If pressed to do so, I'd release the interview tapes.

None of that changes the fact that the whacko wing of the GOP is far from dead. The party needs to move center and occupy that area but the GOP will probably die first.

Correction:
Steele didn't backtrack, he just contradicted himself and said that there should be a "Human life amendment" which would effectively repeal Roe.

[CNYSkinFan]

I agree with BnG about the GOP moving to the center on social issues but that wont happen without a 40 year walk in the wilderness.

How many times can Michael Steele be "misquoted" contradicted whatever. The fact that he has centrist views, espouses them, and then gets smacked around by the right and he retracts them is a complete and utter joke. I feel sorry for the GOP, but not for Steele, I thought this was a mistake of epic proportions, and it is turning out to be. Every time he pretends that the GOP can do hip hop it makes me lol. it is just sad really. He needs to stop giving interviews and start raising money and do the root building Dean did when he took over DNC

[Ibleedburgundy]

Sounds like it might be pretty hard to be "misquoted" with what he said. If I were GQ, I wouldn't retract anything. If pressed to do so, I'd release the interview tapes.


In Steele's defense, he sometimes says things that he is not even thinking.

[CNYSkinFan]

In Steele's defense, he sometimes says things that he is not even thinking.
LMAO!!!

[BurgundyNGold]

In Steele's defense, he sometimes says things that he is not even thinking.
:lol1:

True enough. Well, if the Reps wanted a GOP version of Howard Dean in the same capacity, they found him, lol.

We're going to repeal the death tax! And then we're going to move onto same sex marriage! And onto gays in the military! And embryonic ste cell research! And then we're going to take back tax breaks for the richest 2%! And then we'll rid the bench of activist judges!! And we're going to roll right into overturning Roe v. Wade!!!

Raaaaaaaarrrrghhhhhhh!

http://www.washblade.com/2006/5-19/news/localnews/Steele,%20Michael%20LtGov.jpg

[akhhorus]

He also said this:

Do you think homosexuality is a choice?

Steele: Oh, no. I don’t think I’ve ever really subscribed to that view, that you can turn it on and off like a water tap. Um, you know, I think that there’s a whole lot that goes into the makeup of an individual that, uh, you just can’t simply say, oh, like, “Tomorrow morning I’m gonna stop being gay.” It’s like saying, “Tomorrow morning I’m gonna stop being black.”

Does he know he's in charge of the GOP? Or is this going to end up like Bulworth?

[BurgundyNGold]

He also said this:

Does he know he's in charge of the GOP? Or is this going to end up like Bulworth?
That seems pretty logical to me. I don't think that some people can choose to be gay. I think plenty of college girls can choose not to dabble in lesbianism, though. I'm just glad they don't, lol.

[akhhorus]

That seems pretty logical to me. I don't think that some people can choose to be gay. I think plenty of college girls can choose not to dabble in lesbianism, though. I'm just glad they don't, lol.

I agree, but thats not the far socially right view of it.

[BurgundyNGold]

I agree, but thats not the far socially right view of it.
Which is why those people need to be marginalized. America doesn't live there. Elections will no longer be decided there. Steele seems to be trying to move the GOP center but the albatross of morons on the far right still have too much mass for the party to be able to do it. Short of a complete split -- and the political climate is not ripe for it yet -- the GOP will never see the White House again while pandering to that lot.

[RedskinsDave]

I agree with BnG about the GOP moving to the center on social issues but that wont happen without a 40 year walk in the wilderness.

You mean the GOP that put up McCain as their candidate?

[BurgundyNGold]

You mean the GOP that put up McCain as their candidate?
In theory, yes. McCain is a moderate, but he didn't run as a moderate. He was too busy pandering to the far right and not taking Bush and the congressional GOP to task to be taken seriously as a moderate. Therein lies the rub. Without completely eviscerating those social whack jobs from the GOP like so many parasites, the GOP cannot actively develop and advance a new, centrist conservative vision. The parasites won't let them.

[akhhorus]

In theory, yes. McCain is a moderate, but he didn't run as a moderate. He was too busy pandering to the far right and not taking Bush and the congressional GOP to task to be taken seriously as a moderate. Therein lies the rub. Without completely eviscerating those social whack jobs from the GOP like so many parasites, the GOP cannot actively develop and advance a new, centrist conservative vision. The parasites won't let them.

McCain also ran to the right socially during the primaries(which is what both sides do, run to the extremes to pander to the activists), only he didn't run back towards the center when the general election started(which is what you're supposed to do).

[dj_stouty]

In theory, yes. McCain is a moderate, but he didn't run as a moderate. He was too busy pandering to the far right and not taking Bush and the congressional GOP to task to be taken seriously as a moderate. Therein lies the rub. Without completely eviscerating those social whack jobs from the GOP like so many parasites, the GOP cannot actively develop and advance a new, centrist conservative vision. The parasites won't let them.

I felt this was as well. McCain is one of the more moderate Republicans who isn't (wasn't) afraid to go across the aisle and oppose the GOP. Sadly, that guy didn't show up on the campaign trail. He had the perfect opportunity to throw Bush squarely under the bus and move away from this tragic presidency but he decided to keep the "core" happy by sitting tight and not rocking the boat. A year in which every American is begging for change and McCain runs along side the soundtrack of the past 8 years. Pathetic...

The religious right needs to understand that the party can no longer run their policies through the bible-filter each and every time they take a stance. If/when the Republicans lean towards the middle a bit, they will have to get over that fact or potentially not have a party representing them in any way.

Someone has to call the other's bluff and find out exactly where everyone stands at the end...

[AliBabba]

Yes he was on life support but I think he just pulled his own plug



source (http://men.style.com/gq/blogs/gqeditors/2009/03/the-reconstruct.html)

So the RNC chose a hip hop pro-choice rush limbaugh hating black man who is having trouble raising funds as their head? Brilliant!!!
It's not Steele that has trouble raising funds but rather the staff he has that replaced all the people who he let go. You know all those people he hasn't hired yet.

[CNYSkinFan]

It's not Steele that has trouble raising funds but rather the staff he has that replaced all the people who he let go. You know all those people he hasn't hired yet.
maybe he could look at resumes if he was not so busy trampling over people to get to a tv camera or microphone

[AliBabba]

maybe he could look at resumes if he was not so busy trampling over people to get to a tv camera or microphone
he's planning on hiring someone to read the resumes

[akhhorus]

It's not Steele that has trouble raising funds but rather the staff he has that replaced all the people who he let go. You know all those people he hasn't hired yet.

Well, he's having problems even with the people he's hired. They fired the finance chair(and everyone is stonewalling on why), and two other section heads have quit suddenly also.

[dj_stouty]

he's planning on hiring someone to read the resumes

Mike Tyson is in the running...

[hogskins]

I felt this was as well. McCain is one of the more moderate Republicans who isn't (wasn't) afraid to go across the aisle and oppose the GOP. Sadly, that guy didn't show up on the campaign trail. He had the perfect opportunity to throw Bush squarely under the bus and move away from this tragic presidency but he decided to keep the "core" happy by sitting tight and not rocking the boat. A year in which every American is begging for change and McCain runs along side the soundtrack of the past 8 years. Pathetic...

I give McCain some credit for NOT being disingenuous and throwing Bush under the bus, since McCain's voting record had Bush written all over it. His strategy in the general election was strange in its failure to mention Bush at all. He tried to ignore the (twin) elephant in the room.

[BurgundyNGold]

It's not Steele that has trouble raising funds but rather the staff he has that replaced all the people who he let go. You know all those people he hasn't hired yet.
Jesus, can't anybody from Maryland recruit, lol?

[akhhorus]

I just got forwarded an email that starts with....



Over the past few weeks, our newly-elected RNC Chairman Michael Steele has come under assault from a number of fronts. While we can and should expect attacks like this from the Democrats, it is unacceptable when they come from within our own Party. What I find so disturbing is that some Republicans cannot see the absolute necessity of providing unwavering loyalty and support to Chairman Steele as he embarks upon leading the Republican Party into the future.

And ends...


Ultimately, we can and will have differences of opinion on the issues, and that is healthy for a party that seeks to grow and diversify. As Chairman of one of the largest state parties and an RNC member, I welcome this dialogue. However, it is not constructive to launch assaults on the transition process or promote division within our party by openly criticizing our new Chairman

The RNC as a whole--including Republican Congressional leaders, grassroots activists, and Republicans nationwide--must speak forcefully in support of Chairman Steele and drown out the vocal minority. To do anything less is a disservice to our party.

Be patient and let our Chairman build the administration that is right for him and right for our Party. He will accept no less, and nor should we.
Warmest Regards,
Jim Greer

He's doomed.

[BurgundyNGold]

I just got forwarded an email that starts with....

And ends...

He's doomed.
Not necessarily. Let's see where this goes. I suspect to hear deafening wails of ignorance and bombastry if the GOP tries to remove the parasites.

[akhhorus]

Not necessarily. Let's see where this goes. I suspect to hear deafening wails of ignorance and bombastry if the GOP tries to remove the parasites.

Anytime you have to send out an official email calling your enemies a loud minority, but there must be "unwavering loyalty," you're up ***CENSORED BY DJ***'s creek.

[BurgundyNGold]

Anytime you have to send out an official email calling your enemies a loud minority, but there must be "unwavering loyalty," you're up ***CENSORED BY DJ***'s creek.
But it's true. The loud fringe is running the party like so many iron fisted bullies. Kudos to the writer for calling them out.

[BurgundyNGold]

BTW, every time I see this thread, I think it says "Michael Steel Deathmatch" and I subconsciously expect to find a link to a video of him in a claymation fight to the death with Carrot Top or Paulie Shore or someone, lol.

[akhhorus]

But it's true. The loud fringe is running the party like so many iron fisted bullies. Kudos to the writer for calling them out.

Yeah, but you don't do that from the official organs of the party. You have a friendly writer/pundit do it. This smacks of desperation.

[BurgundyNGold]

Yeah, but you don't do that from the official organs of the party. You have a friendly writer/pundit do it. This smacks of desperation.
I don't disagree but the battle lines have to be drawn. Blood is going to flow at some point. We discussed that a couple of months ago. Better for the GOP that it get flowing in 2009 in time for a rebranding in 2010 or 2012 than in 2015 or 2020 after the parasites have taken over the whole host.

[akhhorus]

I don't disagree but the battle lines have to be drawn. Blood is going to flow at some point. We discussed that a couple of months ago. Better for the GOP that it get flowing in 2009 in time for a rebranding in 2010 or 2012 than in 2015 or 2020 after the parasites have taken over the whole host.

They do, but Steele doesn't have the strength to do that. And picking a fight with the fringe weeks after being voted into office is suicide.

[BurgundyNGold]

They do, but Steele doesn't have the strength to do that. And picking a fight with the fringe weeks after being voted into office is suicide.
Not if there are enough like minded people to stand with him. I read that as a call to arms for moderates and sensible conservatives. It remains to be seen if folks will stand with him or not. Frankly, if I had that job, I'd do the same thing. If nobody stood with me I'd welcome suicide, as I wouldn't want the job if it meant continued placation of Rush Limbaugh and the fringe whackos to the detriment of the party.

[akhhorus]

Not if there are enough like minded people to stand with him. I read that as a call to arms for moderates and sensible conservatives. It remains to be seen if folks will stand with him or not. Frankly, if I had that job, I'd do the same thing. If nobody stood with me I'd welcome suicide, as I wouldn't want the job if it meant continued placation of Rush Limbaugh and the fringe whackos to the detriment of the party.

Yeah, but even the dullest politico should know that you don't pick a fight until you're settled in. His first move was to fire the entire RNC senior staff, that alone was a big move for any party chair. And taking on the fringe is pointless if you immediately crabwalk your statements without standing firm.

[AliBabba]

Jesus, can't anybody from Maryland recruit, lol?
Good one, you are such a bastard. :) I think Gary would make a good interim communications director while Steele stays on the pot.

Story is Steele's announcing several new staff today so let's see wha happens I guess.

[AliBabba]

I assume you guys heard about this earlier in the week?

Katon Dawson, the runner up to Steele in the RNC chair race, was "quietly organizing" a no-confidence vote on Steele to be held following the March 31 special election race in New York's 20th district.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2009/03/steeles_rocky_road.html?wprss=thefix

Dawson later came out and said he stands behind and supports Steele, but .... what a start. How many mistakes does the party need to make before they realize it's time to rebuild? Or how many more seats do they need to lose in 2010 as I can't see anything changing before then.

[CNYSkinFan]

Say what you want about Dean, and I had my doubts at first, but he did a damn fine job of DNC chair. He immediately went low profile and rebuilt on the state level. The 50 state plan Obama used was possible because of the work dean did in 2005 & 2006. Steele got the RNC post and he went straight to every tv camera in a vein (or vain lol) attempt to show the repubs got a black man at the top now too, so all blacks should come hang out with the RNC. I called it "Yo GOP raps". It was sad and the fact he is just getting around to hiring staff is doubly sad