Michael Steele said Monday that he has no intention of stepping down as chairman of the Republican National Committee. Steele also said that he had a "slimmer margin" of error as an African-American, comparing himself in that respect to President Barack Obama.
"It just is," he said in response to a viewer question. "Barack Obama has a slimmer margin. A lot of folks do. I mean it’s a different role for you know, for me to play and others to play. And that’s just the reality of it."
After coming under fire all week for nearly $2,000 the RNC spent at a bondage-themed strip club in West Hollywood, Steele defended the committee’s spending under his leadership during an interview with ABC’s “Good Morning America” and said he’s not concerned by Republicans who oppose his chairmanship.
Asked if he will resign, Steele simply responded: “No.”
Then he was asked, via a viewer, whether he felt that "as an African-American you have a slimmer margin for error than another chairman would?"
“The honest answer is yes,“ he responded.
"Why is that?" asked host George Stephanopoulous.
“It just is. Barack Obama has a slimmer margin. A lot of folks do. I mean it’s a different role for you know, for me to play and others to play. And that’s just the reality of it. But you take that as part of the nature of it. It’s more because you’re not someone they know. I’m not a Washington insider. ... My view on politics is much more grass-roots-oriented. It’s not old boy network oriented and so I tend to come at it a little bit stronger, a little more streetwise if you will. That rubs some feathers the wrong way. At the end of the day I’m judged by whether I win elections and I raise the money.”
Of the critics, Steele said, “I understand that, they’ve been saying that since the day I got the job. ... Those unnamed Republicans that don’t like me, I understand that, but I’m going to continue to work hard.”
Steele insisted that spending more than the RNC took in last year was part of a “budget,” and that he actually had more money left over than he anticipated.
“We have managed the money in a way that has allowed us to compete in some races that we otherwise wouldn’t have competed in,” he said. “I had more money. I have a budget.”
Steele also contended that, despite FEC reports indicating otherwise, “I’m not staying in fancy hotels and the Four Seasons and flying around in corporate jets.”
Asked about the RNC funds that paid for a night out at the club, Steele said: “When I first heard about this behavior going on I was angry and we dealt with it.”
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Please, Mr. Steele, for the good of the conservative mission to take this country back from the socialists: RESIGN! And PLEASE: DON'T resort to claiming 'racism.'
Not a dime to the RNC until Steele is gone.
Resign.
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.
so typical
Mike Steele: The RNC is not about YOU
The fact that you think it is- is why your fundbraisers (and contributors) are bailing
This should be the end of Steele...its one thing to spend money raised foolishly, but its another to lose the raisers of those funds.
Steele plays the race card, again! Whjy can’t this bumbling chairman see that it has nothing to do with race, but what he is doing? The rnc has lost my support!
So, how long are they going to keep the albatross hanging around their collective neck?
Well, Fox is obviously a racist, if one believes Steele’s assertions.
Yeah..selling your book and giving paid speeches, while getting paid by the RNC for your time.
“Steele also contended that, despite FEC reports indicating otherwise, “I’m not staying in fancy hotels and the Four Seasons and flying around in corporate jets.”
So....Michael, dude......ummm..you filed false FEC reports?
I can support Republican candidates directly without the RNC.
This is a non-story.
He is on the gravy train and is actually a Democrat.
Replace him with a HARDCORE conservative with enhanced skin melanin content.
Michael Steele has been a disappointment. I actually though he would be the best of the pack under consideration and truly lead the GOP. But I see that impression was wrong.
When the GOP looses money that will make them set-up and take notice. However, as most are RINO (not all - most) they will find a way to smooze it back. Yeah, lie through their teeth.
Fox is a big time behind the scenes player and very well connected.\. This is a major blow to Steele.
Steele embarrassed the GOP, then blamed the GOP,
all while living high on the hog in jets to push his book
as he sucked up even more funds from the GOP for his
voyeur-fest.
If the GOP is this STUPID, then it will lose again.
This would indicate that the traditional country club Republicans have lost confidence in Steele. Since actual conservatives had given up on Steele some time ago, it would seem that his support is pretty much nil.
My prediction is that he will be allowed to stick around for a few more weeks to save face and then resign for personal reasons.
Why would Steele resign?
He’s 0bama’s man at the RNC.
He’s performing his job of destroying the Republican Party well.
The only way to get rid of him is for the RNC members to vote him out.
Just like 0bama is performing well in his job of destroying America.
If the RNC is too timid and afraid to vote out Steele, then what hope does America have to vote out 0bama?