[prairiebreeze]

"It wasn't just his specific policies, but the timeless truths he so eloquently gave voice to, and upon which his policies were based. That's the Republican Party we must re-establish."

[nmh]

I don’t know much about Steele ... I see he is black. Is the GOP playing the race card like they did with Powell? Or is he a conservative? I don’t want another Colin Powell. Colin Powel has ALWAYS been a Demoncrat. It was only his oolor that pushed him along.

[advance_copy]

Lt. Governor Steele is absolutely right about this. I would add that we need to focus on voters. We must take our stand on issues they understand.

I watched the Frontline hit-piece on Lee Atwater last night and wondered how he was so effective. He won election after election.

Here’s my take on what he did.

First, he was always on the offensive. In war, as General Patton said, the best defense is a good offense. In politics, the ONLY defense is a good offense.

Second, Atwater’s attacks on opponents weren’t just random hits on their perceived weaknesses. They were on issues that resonated with voters.

When Atwater put Dukakis in a tank wearing that helment, he tied it to the RAT opposition to important defense systems needed to win the cold war. Willie Horton was a good issue becuase crime is an important issue to voters.

When Republicans go after Obama, and go after him we will, we must hit him on issues that voters will notice. Example, Obama is now hiring lobbyists, betraying his promise like he did with campaign finance. And lobbyists are all now chomping at the bailout pie.

Voters need to know that Obama and his Democrat minions are serving up bailout pie to their lobbyist buddies. Do they want coffee with their bailout pie? Voters must be reminded how Obama lied just like before.

[FrankR]

"Steele's prescription for the GOP: Become the party of the future by emulating Ronald Reagan. "

I like Reagan as much as the next guy; to me he was the best President to ever occupy the White House.

But...he was also one of a kind.

"Emulating" anyone is not the answer to the woes of the GOP. Actually, to "STOP" emulating is the answer, IMHO. Stop emulating democrats...that's the answer.

As long as the RINOs make it the business of the GOP to "reach across the aisle" and be "bi-partisan" with a bunch who will bite off your hand if you reach it out, the dems will win everytime.

As my wise father said one time of my handy-dandy new Swiss Army Knife, "Any tool made to do two jobs, usually only does each one half as well." Well, I can apply that to politicans as well, you can't please both parties at the same time...it ain't possible if you adhere to the principles of both parties. Just ask Senator Lieberman...

Being a "little bit liberal" is like being a "little bit pregnant", it doesn't work that way.

And I don't think "reaching out to minorities" is the answer either. Most of the minority population is solidly entrenched in the democrat party. They have been brainwashed into thinking that the republican party is the "white man's party", and those without their own brain will not get near it.

Minorities didn't cost us the election anyway, without the "white birds in a guilty cage", obama would not have won.

So, what is the prescription for the GOP? Well, another old adage comes to mind, "You can't really teach anyone, anything...you can only help them find it out for themselves.".

Keeping a daily watch on our new president, and shining a bright, bright spotlight on how he systematically takes our country down a step at a time, will go a lot further to show those who supported him what a mistake they made. Not in the "nah-nah I told you so" mode, but just pointing out each and every gaffe, wrongheaded decision, and mistake the annointed one makes during his tenure...you know, like they did with Bush for 8 years...that kind of drip-drip-drip harassment. They got here "incrementally", and that's how we need to fight this, we can't fix it all at once (not without a civil war, anyway).

You'll never convince the minorities and the "radical chic" to come on over - after all, the GOP is not going to promise them a free ride for life. They will have to discover what most of us discovered in 1st grade...nothing is free.

Which brings up my final quote from my Dad, "You are only enslaved to the extent of charity you receive."...a good slogan to remember under the obama administration.

[Above My Pay Grade]

I agree 100% with Steele’s approach. We need to get back to Conservative principles and sell them to a wider audience, especially minorities. They suffer the most from disastrous Liberal policies and should be reachable.

I would like more details on the “timeless truths” Steele refers to. If they are true conservative principles he is talking about, then I think he is the man to lead the RNC.

[sickoflibs]

GWB Bush had a chance to choose him to pick Steele in 2006, but NO he picked illegal amnesty pusher Martinez instead. (Why does GWB hate republicans so much ?) But now our former LT Governor who was critical in Republicans taking Governors position in liberal Maryland has national exposure from FNC H+C, and he is CRITICAL for our party to win against Obama. He is the perfect man to go after him. He is conservative, unlike Martinez .

[carjic]

He is milktoast moderate. Not who we need. I like Newt for the bare nuckles fight.

[AmericanSamurai]

let’s just hope he’s not another Colon Bowel.

[freekitty]

The next thing the GOP should do is get out of the way.

[MinuteGal]

Here we go again. Roe v. Wade intrudes upon every action, nomination, appointment, etc. the Republican party makes.

The minute some name is proposed somewhere for some slot, in swoops the pro-choice set to pick the person apart even if the position has ZILCH to do with abortion policy.

Do you folks realize that the RNC chair does NOT set policy for the party? The job itself requires a combination of personality/charisma (a la Haley Barbour) for effective PR and media purposes.

It requires the ability to be a rainmaker, that is, being able to effectively attract donations through public and private efforts.

It requires some organizational and business skills, and a carefully chosen staff takes care of most of the detailed work.

Above all, the RNC chair has to be a leader, inspiring the general Republican masses to trust the RNC again, to support it with contributions again, to work WITH it instead of being ashamed of it.

To start mixing the abortion issue into this stew is not only nonsensical but counter-productive to getting the RNC back on track.

In my opinion, Steele would be a good man for the job. For heaven's sakes....this is a critical appointment at a critical time. Let's not get involved for months into another ENDLESS debate on the fine points of his views on Roe v. Wade. It will lead nowhere.

Leni

[B Knotts]

For GOP chair, I’d rather have someone who is an unabashed conservative. I think that’s what we need now. And someone who knows how to win.

[CharacterCounts]

The road back for conservatives is not through the Republican party. The have and will continue to do no more than take our donations and votes and give lip service in return. Any conservative who sends money to the GOP is a fool.

[trisham]

Steele supports affimative action. That's a problem, in my opinion.

Michael Steele on Civil Rights

Support affirmative action and its improvements. (Oct 2006)

Affirmative action programs still necessary to close divides. (Aug 2006)

Marriage is a covenant between a man, a woman and God only. (May 2006)

We're still discovering affirmative action in corporations. (Apr 2006)

Led commitment to $70M in grants to minority-owned business. (Apr 2006)

Affirms marriage is between one man and one woman. (Jan 2006)

Move struggle to right to own the diner, not just sit in it. (Oct 2005

[pollywog]

Let the GOP die... Rebuild from GROUND UP with a NEW NAME and ALL!!! That is my suggestion!!!!
Association by NAME sometimes causes more problems than is worth.
Polly

[indthkr]

bump

[Big Steve]

Steele is strongly pro-life. Just because he is not for the immediate repeal of Roe v. Wade doesn’t mean he isn’t for its eventual repeal. He is simply being realistic at this point in that it can’t be overturned. Until we get a majority of pro-life Supreme Court Justices, Roe v. Wade will not be repealed. Steele once studied for the Catholic priesthood, but decided against it. He may be a little on the AA side and he is a little squishy on the death penalty, but he is and always is pro-life. He is the right man for the right job like this. I’ve heard him speak, and he is far a better speaker than Obama. Very eloquent, very passionate, and very sincere. I think he will be aggressive but non-threatening in rebuilding the RNC. He will make us proud. Plus, his mom is a native South Carolinian.