Posted on 11/15/2008 6:19:16 AM PST by Kaslin
The two men formally running to lead the Republican National Committee are reaching out to bloggers as an initial step to boosting their candidacy and hopefully, growing the party.
Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis announced his candidacy via Twitter and quickly organized a conference call with new media to discuss his bid Wednesday. He held a follow-up call as he boarded a plane from the Republican Governors Association Meeting on Friday, emphasizing his willingness to “democratize information coming from the party.”
“Obama succeeded because he built an infrastructure and when he became popular they [his supporters] could plug into it…It’s our job as a party to facilitate that infrastructure,” he said.
Former GOP Maryland Senate candidate declared his intent to become RNC Chair on Hannity & Colmes Thursday evening and held a call with right-leaning bloggers the next day.
He said he felt called to run because “I am sick and tired of the whining.”
Steele faulted the current GOP leadership for “the failure to communicate that has undermined our efforts for some time now,” on issues like immigration. He said that too often Republicans have been “manhandled” by liberals from discussing issues out of fear of racism.
“We looked stupid, we looked immature, we looked ugly, we looked mean,” he said.
He mentioned that President-elect Barack Obama “played the race card beautifully, just beautifully,” against GOP presidential candidate John McCain to prevent Republicans from discussing Obama’s relationship with Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
Steele said he could be relied upon to stand for fiscal responsibility as Chairman. “When I ran for the U.S. Senate I was appalled we were spending all this friggen money on a Bridge to Nowhere! C’mon! Let’s be reasonable!” he said.
He called the $700 billion financial bailout “crazy” and “absolutely against the interest of the American people.”
Michigan activist Anuzis touted his credentials as a fiscal reformer as well.
He told bloggers that he worked hard to bring Republicans in line during a controversial vote to raise taxes on Michigan. "We came out and said we would not support" Republicans who voted for the increase Anuzis said. "We went out and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and ran ads on talk radio...not only have I talked the talk I have walked the walk in Michigan. We have specific examples. This is not something theoretical."
Steele also supports affirmative action.
Lovely! I'm sick of affirmative action. It's out of date and has created a dumbed down work force. (and, apparently, a dumbed down presidency)
“I believe that when our party once again adheres to our core values and beliefs, and can again demonstrate to America that we can be trusted on those issues, we will make a comeback – stronger than ever.”
This was written by Anuzis? He sounds better than "we were too ugly and too mean" just for trying to get the public to see who are the friends of our new president!
I'm sick of the "we're too mean" wing of the party!
Nobody gives a flying fig about Newt’s past. If he wanted the position, it’s his.
I care about his past his antics started the slippery slope and decline of the Party... people that have met him personally didn’t come away as Fans... His Ideas are Top Notch but his leadership was raw and short lived..
The Michigan Rep Party has done nothing to stop the rising taxes, nor stop the exodus of hundreds of thousands of productive citizens and many businesses from fleeing the state.
Nobama and his socialst rat party will work hard to make the entire United States look like the socialist/welfare state of Michigan. Prepare to flee to conservative states. Then prepare to defend them from the left wing leeches in Washington.
Yes. It’s a racist policy that should be ended.
Saul Anuzis would have his name quickly morphed into A-Nazi by the MSM and would be a great distraction to the GOP.
Steele is listed in this article only as ‘Former GOP Maryland Senate candidate.’ He was also Chmn of the Maryland GOP and then managed to become Maryland’s Lt Gov., serving with a GOP Governor in one of the top ‘blue’ states. He does know how to win in a hostile environment.
Steele ran an excellent Senate campaign, using intelligence, wit, and humor. If he hadn’t had that (R) after his name in 2006, he’d be sitting in the Senate today.
I agree. Who the hell is this guy? Doesn’t look like he’s down much for the cause in Mich.....
I’m for Steele 100%. Everything I know about him ( mainly for TV ) says he is one of us.....the difference being he is in the arena and is actually fighting the fight against the dems and the left......
And it doesn’t hurt that he can be the Bo Snerdley of the GOP !
That guy is not Michael Steele. It is Newt Gingrich.
We need to get our ideas and platform straightened out before you run another no substance" campaign that causes more loss of ground.
Wake Up!
The RNC is wandering in the wilderness. You are too caught up in a face and an image.
The RNC needs ideas first and foremost. Newt is the guy who can lead this party out of the wilderness. He has done it before and proved that he has the ability to do it.
Your idea of a face and an image as the most important things for the RNC is as useless as a bull with teats.
Michael Steele would be great for morale. As for Saul Anuzis, I don’t know much about him.
I didn’t realize Michigan had a Republican Party.
“Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis”
Now there’s a record of success.”
Thank you. My sentiments exactly. I want a GOP chairman who knows how to WIN- NOt someone who knows how to complain that we LOST.
I want someone who can look at lots of problems- not at just 2 or 3.
Has anyone listened to Roger Hedgecock-former Mayor of San Diego?
He’s sharp as can be and very articulate. I would even like to see him run as VP with Sarah as Pres.
He knows the illegal immigration problem up front.
He is a person of interest, IMO.
Also- there is a talk show host I used to listen to in Sacramento.
Tom Sullivan. He has a financial background, and a LEO background. Leader of “The Sullivan Group”. Also very articulate and very level headed.
I miss hearing him since I moved out of range.
I generally like Michael Steele but I have big reservations given his association with Christie Whitman and her ahem, “moderate” organization.
An Act II for Haley Barbour would be preferable.
Steele also supports affirmative action.
Lovely! I’m sick of affirmative action. It’s out of date and has created a dumbed down work force. (and, apparently, a dumbed down presidency)”
Agreed:
That alone is enough for me never to support Steele.
As an intelligent black person, he has to be able to stand up and declare that affirmative action has done all it can do for those who refuse to learn anything useful and who refuse to even get up and go to work when the opportunity arises. End all the affirmative action items...look where it got us with the mortgage mess.
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