Democrats accuse Steele of 'political identity theft'

Baltimore Sun ^ | September 22, 2006 | Jennifer Skalka

[youthgonewild]

No, Maryland voters, the printer did not make an error. Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele's new campaign signs seem to identify him as a Democrat.

A "Steele Democrat," they read.

The bright blue placards and bumper stickers made their debut yesterday in Baltimore during an event announcing a new coalition of Democrats supporting the lieutenant governor's U.S. Senate bid. Steele, of course, is the Republican nominee for Senate and a former chairman of the state Republican Party.

The group and accompanying signs appear to be the latest Steele effort to distance himself from an unpopular White House and a Republican Party struggling to maintain its hold on Congress. The state Democratic Party chairman immediately accused him of "identity theft."

Steele supporters said the term was akin to calling someone a "Reagan Democrat."

[youthgonewild]

Actually I didn't think about this: those people have Democrat on the sign because they are, but they also support Steele, so its like a Democrats for Steele thing.

[freespirited]

The Dems are just upset because they'd have a hard time finding many Marylanders who earnestly could claim to be "Cardin Republicans."

They may also be freaking because a post-primary poll shows him +1 over Cardin. Pulling a third of the black vote at the moment, while Ehrlich is only getting about 15% of it.

I really like this guy.

[drubyfive]

Kind of like Jews for Jesus. Very popular among other Jews--not.

[perez24]

I think Michael Steele could be a very big deal in GOP politics for a very long time.

[Reagan79]

hahaha, all eight of them

[hophead]

There is NO misrepresentation here. It is like the "another Democrat for Ehrlich" signs. Or Reagan Democrat voters years ago.
Imagine, here in the Peoples Republic of Maryland, where the dems are 3-1, it took the Repubs to elect the first statewide black to office. Now it is the Repubs that will elect the first black Senator from Maryland. The dems could not elect ant statewide blacks in the primary. They ALL lost to white people.
Now Steele has on his side the son of Kwesi Mfume who was a dem opponent of Steele. (1 of 7 illegitimate children Mfume had with different women) Mfume lost. Last week none other than Russell Simmons (Def Jam Records) came to town to help Steele fund raising. The dems in this state are besides themselves with the possibility Steel will win. They are going to pull EVERY trick, dirty trick and race card they can come up with until the election. This race in Maryland will have national ramifications in the support of blacks to the dems. They will begin to really see who is on their side and who has just been saying for decades who is.

[sgtyork]

That's got to make Democrat's hair stand on end!

[AuH2ORepublican]

Michael Steele is not saying that he's a Democrat, he's just showing that many Democrats support him in spite of their respective party labels. The most famous example of this, of course, are the Reagan Democrats of 1984, but this is very common in many states; I remember in 2002 how Ed Koch and other prominent NY Democrats ran ads stating "I'm a Democrat, a Pataki Democrat" and endorsing Governor Pataki for reelection.

[doberville]

Once again you ride in with your keen eye for the obvious!
Thank you Sgt B! ;0)

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

Reagan Democrats?

[defenderSD]

"I don't think I've ever heard of a candidate explicitly pretending to be of another party before."

What are you talking about? Steele isn't pretending to be a Democrat. The signs just identify Democrats as supporters of Steele. It's exactly the same idea as the term, "Reagan Democrat."

[Norman Bates]

As for his pro-life position, he is very conservative. He may have some moderate social positions. As far as fiscal matters, he is endorsed by the Chamber of Commerce and the Club for Growth.

[RockinRight]

I dunno about that, I'd say he is every bit as conservative as Ronald Reagan. He's pro-life, and endorsed by the Club for Growth...what more can you ask for?

[RockinRight]

As in...President?