Posted on 03/05/2009 9:23:17 AM PST by SolidWood
Michael Steele should resign as Republican National Committee (RNC) chairman, according to a committee member from North Carolina.
In an e-mail to fellow RNC members obtained by The Hill, Dr. Ada Fisher, North Carolina's national committeewoman, said Steele is "eroding confidence" in the GOP and that members of his transition team should encourage him to step aside. Fisher added Steele's personal e-mail address to the e-mail.
"I don't want to hear anymore [sic] language trying to be cool about the bling in the stimulus package or appealing to D.L. Hughley and blacks in a way that isn't going to win us any votes and makes us frankly appear to many blacks as quite foolish," Fisher wrote.
Fisher, who is one of three black members of the national committee, backed South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson, whom Steele edged out in the final round of voting to win the chairmanship in late January. She has voiced repeated opposition to Steele, sending dozens of e-mails to committee members even after Steele won election slamming him for any number of chips that have fallen awry.
Fisher’s call for Steele’s resignation comes amid growing frustration in the GOP that the new chairman’s repeated gaffes are hurting the party.
It remains unclear just how much trouble Steele may be in with his own membership. While several RNC members have told The Hill that Steele remains popular with their bases, Washington-based strategists are grumbling, an attitude that is slowly filtering down to the states.
Steele appeared over the weekend on Hughley's CNN show, where he fought back against the assertion that radio host Rush Limbaugh was the "de facto leader" of the Republican Party. Steele said he himself was the de facto leader and called Limbaugh an entertainer whose program's content was "incendiary" and "ugly."
On Monday, Limbaugh shot back, saying on his show that Steele was not the leader of the party and that many conservatives would "hang up" when Steele's RNC came calling for contributions.
"Limbaugh has already promised that 'His Conservatives' won't be giving to the RNC. I would suggest to you that that is a real bet," Fisher wrote. "If we can't raise money and continue to allow the alienation of the few varifiable [sic] red states remaining, we are foolish."
Steele later said he had reached out to Limbaugh to clarify his remarks, insisting he meant no offense. But the incident elicited crowing from Democrats, who for weeks have pursued a strategy seemingly designed to elevate Limbaugh to the front of the GOP line. Democrats would enjoy contrasting themselves with Limbaugh's assertion that he wants to see President Obama's economic policies fail.
Calling the Limbaugh-Steele clash a "Republican Horror Show," Fisher expressed what some other GOP strategists have until now only said privately: "I have never seen such ineptness in our GOP leadership," Fisher wrote. "And I though we handled the 2008 elections very poorly."
Fisher could not be reached for comment Thursday morning, while the RNC did not immediately have comment on her letter.
Steele ain’t that bad. Heck, why doesn’t Rush run for President? Cause he is chicken and loves his money more than his Country.
They both have flaws. I don’t think Steele is wrong for talking to the bros they way he did. He did it well considering he was talking to 2 dumb blacks.
What I want to know is his stand on abortion. Because I know a black man who has no problem talking to anyone about his ProLIfe Stance. Mr. Keyes.
Actually, word_warrior_bob, I think you may have been the one who sent me the quotes that made me start taking a harder look at this guy, and the Republican party as well.
You had an effect on at least one person. I would thank you, but the whole thing saddens me. It is what it is.
Well, I would take Keyes over Steele, I think.
And by the way...thanks for your service, FRiend.
It's customary to ping the person you are speaking about.
Hi SolidWood,
Thanks for the post. I like Michael, but he screwed up. I say give him one more chance. Nobody’s perfect. If he backs off from our conservative principles one more time I say can him. Conservatives must speak with one voice, period. I think he understands now. I certainly hope so.
Regards, Doodle
“Congratulations to Dr. Ada Fisher!”
Maybe she should be put in charge. Always - always - saw Steele as a happy back-slapping RINO.
Yep........... GOP getting in a circle again with guns blazing. Steele won by a vote of 91 to 77. What the lady needs to do is quit grandstanding and go the RNC rules and find the proper method to remove/recall the Chairman.
No options are good, but some are less bad than others. Jettisoning inept leadership early on will mean that by the time the 2010 elections come around, there might be a large war-chest of funding... decent candidates... and a conservative message.
I don’t believe he was misquoted at all, but his public apology showed guts and I think we should give him more time.
Zero confidence in the GOP right now.......Z.E.R.O. !!!
Clock is ticking on 2010 elections and real conservative republicans can’t get their act together ....... they better get moving or I am sending in Eaker !
Both Republicans, at every level, and conservatives, at every level, seriously need to “get all of their kinks out” asap, so they can successfully be a worthwhile opponent to “everything leftist”. All of the RINOs continue to cause too much of the political damage from within the GOP, with no end in sight.
I agree—he’s learned a lesson and he’ll be fine. But no more screw-ups!
Maybe if the Republican party would field only conservative candidates, there would be no need to call for their removal...
It’s too bad the quality of the Republican party is such that an idea like this will not see the light of day.
“It’s okay, Limpy...you can say “bitch”. The rest of your blathering was indecipherable.”
OK. Good.
Bitch. Now you can start ranting on me too just like you’ve done to everyone else here. In very ugly fashion I might add. Do you stay up at night thinking up more insulting things to say to people? Living with you must be hell on earth.
And BTW....Steele needs to go. Just thought I’d throw some more timber on the fire so you could ignite some more. woohoo!
I hope Blackwell stays involved.
I notice you are attempting to fight unarmed.
Set up or not, Steele fell for it; Rush grabbed for it.
Dr. Fisher is a savvy lady. She is not someone who "takes the bait".
when in doubt, throw them out! Limbaugh for chair of the RNC LOL
Great post; thanks!
Sounds like Fisher's a sore loser. Her guy lost. Steel won and Fisher's stomping her feet and throwing a hissy fit tantrum like a two year old child.
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