Michael Steele's Rx for the GOP

Baltimore Sun ^ | November 11, 2008 | Andy Green

[prairiebreeze]

The Wall Street Journal dedicated an op-ed page today to the question, "What Does the GOP Do Next," with brief essays from various conservatives, including former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele. Steele's prescription for the GOP: Become the party of the future by emulating Ronald Reagan. Essentially, Steele says, the party's problem is that it betrayed its principles in order to win and ended up losing instead.

So the party needs to follow the example of Reagan, who "made it cool to be a Republican."

"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."

Steele, who has recently been criticizing the GOP for not doing enough to reach out to minorities, says times have changed and the party needs to adapt. But he said the one thing it can't do is change its principles.

[webstersII]

“A: My desire is that we follow what stare decisis is at this point. “

You mean established case law from this point forward?

Or from 1973 forward?

How about if we go back to pre-FDR established case law, which made welfare payments by the federal gov’t illegal?

What about if we go back to pre-20th case law? There are lots of established cases which run counter to current day law.

The idea of established case law is really just a moving target. Everyone wants to drive a stake in the ground and say it should be established from this point forward but that is baloney. The court, especially starting with the activist FDR court, decided that it was time to overrule anything they chose to, irrespective of history, and the courts ever since have continued that tradition.

[carjic]

I can’t even get everyone on Freepers to agree with me and I won’t find a politician that will either. Over the broad spectrum, Newt for president is not going to happen. But as a organizer and back room guy he would be the best.

[P-Marlowe]

Support affirmative action and its improvements

I support the current system and improvements to the current system, keeping in mind that while we have done very well in affirmative action at our universities across this country, I look at our boardrooms across the country, I look at NBC, CNBC, Fox, all these stations, all the corporate, corporate companies-and I don't see affirmative action necessarily being practiced there when I look at the management, when I look at the leadership, when I look at those who have a decision-making role. Source: 2006 Maryland Senate debate on Meet the Press Oct 29, 2006

Affirmative action programs still necessary to close divides

Q: Are federal affirmative action programs necessary and effective?

A: Studies show enormous disparities still exist in education, healthcare, employment and economic opportunities along racial lines in the United States. I believe programs are still necessary to help close these divides. I support giving people opportunities. Programs must be fair to all Marylanders - of every color - and they should focus on economic empowerment.

Source: Responses to Baltimore Sun Survey Aug 7, 2006

[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.

[keats5]

Thank you very much. I didn’t know that.

[P-Marlowe]

Thank you very much. I didn’t know that.

I didn't either.

What blew my mind was his statement on Roe v. Wade. He apparently thinks that upholding Roe is consistent with the "pro-life" position. That puts him in the Nancy Pelosi wing of the Pro-life movement.

[B Knotts]

Thanks for the info. We need a different guy for this job.

[riverdawg]

“... I like Newt ...”

I hope Newt continues to write books and provide advice from the back room to the RNC. But I don't want him to be the “face” of the Republican Party for the next four years. He is anathema to large parts of the current and prospective conservative base of the party, especially women. More than one conservative woman has told me that Newt reminds them of a snarky, full-of-himself “ex” (boyfriend/husband) who just won't shut up and go away.

[gimme1ibertee]

Meaning...? I hear the phrase “neo-con” a lot.
A New Conservative?

[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.

[gimme1ibertee]

Yes sir. Clarence Thomas was called “black snake”,”chicken and biscuit-eating Uncle Tom” and “handkerchief head” by the “tolerant” leftists in the media. Could you imagine that being said of,oh,let’s see....0bama?? It would be instant armaggeddon.

[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

[GingerC]

I have never heard him say he was against overturning Roe v Wade.

There are many in the GOP, myself included that feel Roe v Wade was a bad decision and it should have been left to the states.

[GingerC]

Brilliantly said FrankR!!

One thing is for sure... the current head of the RNC is absolutely useless and must go. Newt has said he does not want it, he feels he will be useful elsewhere.

So... other than Steele, anyone else know who might be interested?

[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

[P-Marlowe]

I have never heard him say he was against overturning Roe v Wade.

I have posted the quote where he said he is against overturning Roe at least 3 or 4 times on this thread. Now show me one quote from Michael Steele where he says he thinks it should be overturned?

......

Crickets.

[curth]

And hire a publicist and create an ad, both in print and tv with Michael Steele, Sarah Palin , Bobby Jindal and Rick Perry. If there is a new name,maybe The Nationalist Party, great, but if not, tag it as the new face of the Republican Party. It will knock 30 years of the face of the GOP.

Out with the old, tired GOP.

[GingerC]

I didn’t say HE had said that, I said I was in favor of overturning it and sending it back to the states.

I’ll have to back and find your quotes. I apparently missed them. What I read he said was somewhat wishy washy... he said, referring to Roe v. Wade. “We have to re-evaluate that.” He claimed that he was not advocating overturning the decision, only asking if we “have to live with the reality of a decision that was made 33 years ago.” Not exactly sure what that means LOL

[CMAC51]

He is PRO CHOICE.

That is not exactly correct. He describes himself as pro-life. He does not favor making choice the crux issue for Republicans. Although I am 100% pro-life, I actually agree with his position. Fighting the culture war focused on the abortion battlefield is not a winning strategy. That is a complex argument I do not have time for today. However, saying Michael Steele is pro choice is very far from accurate.

[indthkr]

bump