BREAKING! Pro-life, devout Catholic named new RNC chair!

American Papist ^ | January 30, 2009 | Thomas Peters

[NYer]

I'm hearing that it happened just minutes ago: Former Maryland Lt. Gov. (and former state party chairman) Michael Steele has been elected as the new chair of the Republican National Committee.

So who is he?!

CollegeNews tells us:

"Steele is a staunch social conservative: devoutly Catholic, pro-life, anti-embryonic stem cell research, etc."

Sounds like my kind of guy!

And no Kmiec-style justifications needed to support him.

update: WaPo blog:

The Republican National Committee elected Michael Steele as its first African American chairman today in Washington, a decision that came after an excruciating series of ballots that displayed a level of drama rarely seen in national politics.

On the sixth and final ballot Steele bested South Carolina Republican party Chairman Katon Dawson 91 to 77.

"It's time for something completely different and we are going to bring it to them," Steele said after his victory. "This is our opportunity. I cannot do this by myself."

[neocon1984]

"He is a republican, therefore he will probably end up being weak on alot of issues, if he like the other republicans in politics".

I noticed you are a very recent Freeper. Maybe a troll? Maybe an absolutist who can never find a politician who meets his needs? Other possibilities that might help explain your completely useless comment on this thread?

[Bigg Red]

You and I both know that Russert was trying to trip him up there. He is pro-life and was just clumsily dancing about here to stay out of the typical MSM snares.

[tob2]

I was overjoyed also. If being weak on the Second Amendment is his only flaw, all I can say is you don’t always get everything you want. Bet there are millions of Second Amendment followers who could change his mind.

[ejonesie22]

http://www.ontheissues.org/Social/Michael_Steele_Abortion.htm

I doubt he has ever said anything on Schiavo, but how many not directly involved in the debate did. But given his stem cell positions...

[junkman_106]

He’s a Marylander bent by their peculiar position against 2nd Amendment, but will come around and show true Conservative colors now that he has the leadership..I hope!

[tob2]

“P.S., he’s cute to boot.” Yes he is! lol

[RetiredArmy]

a staunch social conservative

That is ALL I wanted to hear!!! Nothing else. That sews it up for me. Go get em Michael. TAKE NO RINO PRISONERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sitetest]

Dear Bigg Red,

“You and I both know that Russert was trying to trip him up there.”

Certainly. And he allowed himself to be tripped up.

“He is pro-life...”

I no longer know that. At best, he trimmed. To pander after votes, he clouded just where he stands on life. It was a show of political cowardice, at very best. At worst, he's another minion of Satan, like the creature Kmiec.

Like I said, I'm willing to give him a mulligan. If he clarifies, I'll support him and continue to support the party. If not, I'm quitting the Republican Party.

I'm unwilling to go along with this idea that we can all still be pro-life even while we accept Roe. Baloney. As long as Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.

And that's unacceptable.

And so is an RNC Chairman who accepts Roe.

sitetest

[SoConPubbie]

In his defense I wonder if such a statement cam after the DC snippier incident. Emotions were high then so such sentiment at that time would be understandable.

You're making excuses for an inexcusable position on the part of Mr. Steele.

[ichabod1]

Praise the LORD!

[ejonesie22]

Sadly Roe will never be over turned. And sadder still is the fact that most of my fellow pro life advocates refuse to see the all or nothing frontal attack is a waste of time. We have been at it for 30 years and are further away now than ever.

The people will have to be the ones to bring an end to abortion. The people are the states not the congress, congress quit representing the people years ago. As states take a stand the support for an amendment will grow and a court move becomes a moot point. Steele sees this as has Thompson and others. Indeed talking about Roe turns people off, not due the agreeing with it it not, but just the fatigue of years of it being an issue.

Maybe one day all of us will see this basic point and we can actually end abortion and stop talking about ending it...

[ichabod1]

Hurrah! Hurrah! A thousand times Hurrah! Hurrah for the BonnieBlueFlag that bears a single star!

[ejonesie22]

So lets toss him in the garbage.

Call me when Mr. Perfect arrives...

[ichabod1]

Maybe not, but hopefully we can persuade him.

[sitetest]

Dear ejonesie22,

It won't happen soon. Possibly not in my lifetime (I'm nearly 50). Perhaps not in my children's lifetimes.

But if we abandon the struggle to protect the lives of unborn children in law, it will certainly never, ever happen.

“As states take a stand the support for an amendment will grow and a court move becomes a moot point.”

A constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to life of unborn children is merely an alternative means to overturn Roe. I'm not against that. On the other hand, for 35 years, most folks have thought that it would be far easier to get a Supreme Court with five justices who understand that Roe is horse manure than to pass a Human Life Amendment. Nonetheless, if anyone has a workable strategy for the HLA, I'm on board.

But Mr. Steele, in what I quoted above, seems to be not in favor of that, either.

Like I said, he can clarify if he wishes. I'm willing to let him reaffirm that he believes that Roe must go (however it's done) and that unborn children must be protected in law.

But if he fails to do so, then he is no pro-lifer, and I will not support him or the Republican Party.

Enough with death-accepting RINOs!

sitetest

[Huskrrrr]

For the first time...I’m proud of my country.

[DeuceTraveler]

I agree with this gentleman’s concerns. I wanted Blackwell since I felt that Steele was not as conservative as I wanted in the RNC chair. However, he was very articulate nad is intelligent so I wanted him as my #2 choice.

Blackwell was a true conservative, but he was not articulate and could not explain his stance on a lot of issues.

Still I’ll take my #2 choice over the other three candidates. He will be much better than Duncan.

[Sun]

Congratulations Michael Steele!

Great news!

God bless Michael Steele!

[tioga]

Awesome, just awesome.

[kabar]

Steele spoke recently to a Repbulican retreat we held in VA. I am concerned about Reps trying to play identity politics and the emphasis on outreach to racial and ethnic groups. It mirrors the Dems strategy, but we can't pull it off and the more we try, the more we appear to reinforce the Dem stereotype of Reps as the white man's party of racists and bigots. Steele is not going to change anyone's minds in that regard, and may weaken and divide the party even further. We need to stick to basic principles that apply to all groups and individuals and not try to pander to them.

Steele has been evasive on the immigration issue and did not mention it in his speech in VA. I don't consider him to be a conservative and I fear another moderate, token-like RNC Chair like Martinez, will take this party further to the Left. And certainly race/ethnic/gender based affirmative action is not something most Reps can embrace.