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.”
~ ~ ~
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.'
Just go away, Michael. We have ENOUGH problems right now- you’re making them worse and your self-obsession is clearly not helping.
It’s not all about you - it’s about the GOP and what we need to do to get rid of this insane Congress in 10 and what’s his name in 12.
Anything by Politico is suspect, to me anyway.
We had three terms of phony, flaccid Bush conservatism, the type that the left loves. Not my cup of tea.
The Texans, God bless them, rejected Kay Bailey Hutchinson, a Bushie heir apparent. The Bushies can read the handwriting on the wall. Their era is over.
Be afraid, Politico, be very afraid.
“Former Ambassador Sam Fox....the RNC’s top-level fundraising board — has left the post”,...
Must be....Sam Fox is a racist going against an “historic” trend.
Motivated by race? Get real!
We had great hopes for your leadership and many considered that you would right the listing ship that the RNC had become.
As it is, that ship is foundering under your leadership. Is raced a quality of failure? Are we not a very post racial country?
Do you intend to further alienating Republicans who spent years support the RNC and Republican candidates for years, some of us more than 25 years.
Membership and contributions have declined further under your leadership and not from a few who had decided you could possible be the greatest choice of leading, among all other possible candidate, at the time of your ascension to your current post.
Mr. Steele, you are a weak-ass idiot, rudderless and at times appear to be using your post in a rather self serving manner.
Mr. Steele you are the only who arose this morning and while shaving his face, considered the color of your skin.
The rest us never think about the color of your skin.
You however are man of weak character, possessed by an attitude of “putting my time in” and that is just untenable.
You lack vision, passion and critical thinking required for a leadership position.
Your race aside, you should consider being more introspective and stop “white washing” your personal failure.
I am still not supporting the RNC and it because of issue such New York 23, were you thought you knew better than the voters who should be supported by RNC apparatus.
Please resign.
Contact you state RNC officers to push for steele to resign.
Time to weed out more RINOs.
Fine, Steele. Stay at the RNC. It will wither and die under your leadership, and my money will go to candidates who deserve it... DIRECTLY. You’re not gonna use MY money to stuff some skank’s g-string.
Oh, and nice use of the race card. You have truly distinguished yourself as an idiot.
~~Ping!
This isn’t just about Steele.
The GOP is weak, it’s leftist, and, in its current state, will serve to pave the way for a hard left government.
We need real fighters, real men, not party hacks and wimps.
Let the damned thing fall, we can do much, much better than these cowards.
Say what??? Steel, you ignorant slut! As an Affirmative Action appointee, all you got to do is show up, smile, and don't steal too much money. What could be easier?
He makes me want to puke.
Not a penny from me unless/until he quits and a real fire in the belly conservative replaces him. Which likely won’t happen. “Moderate” Repubs are disgusting.
I just *knew* Michael Steele was going to make it about him, didn’t you?
Stepping down gracefully just won’t do.
Playing the Race Card = Immediate Firing.
This could be a great opportunity to overhaul the RNC.
bfl
I got a past due notice from the RNC today. Guess I’m not alone
An establishment that supports Romney?
He was also finding it harder and harder to tap fellow wealthy Republicans for the RNC, the source said.
Why? When the tea party movement is the only thing breathing life into them?
This entire phony cabal around Steele stinks, and it's begining to look a lot like the old guard is fighting a losing battle for control, going home and taking their marbles with them.
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No Money until Steele resigns.