Posted on 03/13/2009 9:37:57 AM PDT by Selkirk
The decision by the RNC to choose Michael Steele was largely reflective of the total lack of both confidence and direction of the conservative movement in dealing with the rise of “Obama mania”--the Committee capitulating to the pervasive identity politics that swept the nation as part of the 2008 general election. There is nothing patently wrong with Michael Steele, but his own rise to fame was largely the result that he was a black Republican—and a moderate one at that. However, the choice was not the only poor one made by Republicans of late. The disastrous choice to give into the gender politics of Hillary Clinton via Sarah Palin’s addition to the 2008 GOP ticket is another. Bobby Jindal’s use with the media also reeks of identity politics as the raison d’être for the GOP these days.
But while these individuals provide an attempt by Republicans to diversify their leadership and appeal to the masses, the question needs to be asked if subordinating quality leadership to play racial and gender politics with liberals is really the answer. My answer is no.
(Excerpt) Read more at blog.politicalcastaway.com ...
In other words - he was an affirmative action pick.
Not a good feeling about Steele.
Steele is off to less than a stellar start. His time to prove himself is quickly running out.
I’ve been following Steele’s rise for years and I like him and have defended him here at FR, however he has really stepped in it a couple of times. Granted, he has been baited by libs on both accounts.
He’s gotta be more careful, or he has to avoid going into the dragon’s lair all together. He should also apologize and/or clarify his statements, when he errs.
Stand up for conservatism, Michael! We know you are one. Don’t apologize for it.
Hiya newbs. Agree with you on Steele, but you’re dead wrong on Palin and Jindal both. Just because identity politics is a terrible, toxic idea doesn’t mean any politician who’s not an elderly white male is also terrible and toxic.
I think he's too far gone. Nodding knowingly as his own party's national convention is being likened to Nazi Germany showed that much, even if calling Rush Limbaugh "ugly" and "incendiary" and saying that women "absolutely" have the right to choos abortion didn't.
My biggest problem with Steele right now isn’t what he’s saying in interviews, it’s how many interviews he’s giving. It used to be that only hardcore political junkies knew who the party chairmen were, because party chairman is primarily a “behind the scenes” job, it’s all about setting strategy and shuffling money. It’s not about being a public face, the candidates are the public face of the party, chairmen belong behind the curtain.
“I think he’s too far gone.”
I think it’s very possible that he has run out of rope, as well. I’d like to see him turn it around. Those soundbytes and clips will haunt him forever.
“There is nothing patently wrong with Michael Steele, but his own rise to fame was largely the result that he was a black Republican—and a moderate one at that.”
FALSE!!
Bad premise and it makes the rest of whatever this person said worthless junk.
Steele is a prolife Reagan -style Republican who has been a Republican since 1980s, Steele WAS a party leader in Maryland and the most high profile and articulate candidate, having made RNC speeches, TV appearances, and been Lt Gov. Only Blackwell compared.
One might have a concern that he is a ‘big tent’ type GOP leader, but since he hails from Maryland, you have to understand that his position are very conservative for that state, and perhaps he understands more than, say a guy from South Carolina, how to make this a 50 state party.
We NEEDED a change, and it was a matter of whether it was Blackwell, Dawson, Anuzis or Steele.
Steele won. On the merits and content of character, nothing more or less. Now his job is to raise money, help organize the state parties, keep the RNC money flowing and building up candidates to win. He will SURELY be better than the previous RNC chair, and I wish him the best. As we all should, because we need the RNC to do well, for the sake of America.
JMHO.
Which is a complete and utter lie.
the RNC committeemen and committeewomen went with who they thought would do the most good for the party.
So far it looks like their thinking is a little flawed.
There are some black Republicans who have shined - like JC Watts in the past, or Justice Clarence Thomas.
And some who might have disappointed. I wish Lynn Swann was a better candidate, and I wish Blackwell did better when he ran in Ohio Gov race and when he ran for RNC.
... BUT ... my BIG objection is against the LIE that his selection was tokenism, or that he was selected mainly due to race. He wasnt. IT’S NOT TRUE. Steele is not some random guy off the street, but a long-standing Republican active leader.
Yes, Steele has done the media shuffle a few times that we conservatives would wish he’d just shove it back in the media’s face. He needs to “man up” if he wants to be a successful RNC Chair. But - You think the RNC has to find a black guy to get a mealy mouth type? Steele’s comments were no worse than what we get out of many white male Senators, including McCain. hardly an endorsement, but my point is - it’s NOT about race AT ALL - it’s about standing up against the DNC-media-complex divide-and-conquer practices of goading Republicans to go after their own. I dont want us to ADD to it by calling for Steele to resign. We have too much of that already. Let’s leave it at “Grow a pair, Michael” - a message we need to give to him and most of the Republican leadership out there.
We have 'manned up" before and "stuck by" the previous Republican mistakes in that position, and where has it gotten us? Pelosi, Reid, 0bama - need I say more?
Uh, I’m not asking you to man up, I am saying *Steele* needs to do so.
We are on the same page that it is not a matter of race.
If Steele remains than I expect many refrains of
‘I didn’t leave the Republican Party......The party
left me’.
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