Patterico's Pontifications

1/14/2011

Steele Is Out!

Filed under: General — Aaron Worthing @ 1:48 pm



[Guest post by Aaron Worthing; if you have tips, please send them here.]

The Daily Caller is keeping tabs on this story.

Not sure who will take over, but we have nowhere to go but up.

Previously: Michael Steele: Vote for Me, You Racists!

DLTDHYAOTWO

[Posted and authored by Aaron Worthing.]

50 Responses to “Steele Is Out!”

  1. Looks like Barbour gets to be RNC kingmaker.

    gary gulrud (790d43)

  2. Out because he was probably threatened by the teaparty, like those black republicans in AZ that resigned after tea party threats.

    JT (390f26)

  3. F@ck off, Yelveton.

    JD (d4bbf1)

  4. oh goody…. another Beltway RINO. these fools would rather be in charge of the minority party than bystanders at a victory.

    redc1c4 (fb8750)

  5. Sometimes he seemed like a plant. The gaffes were just odd.

    Vermont Neighbor (d9926c)

  6. I was hoping for Wagner. Oh well.

    Look, guys… the RNC Chair is not the policy setter for the party. He’s not the guy writing legislation or voting on it. He’s the guy who brings in cash and organizes things. Our new chair did come from a great state organization. He knows what he’s doing.

    Steele’s resume was that he was good on TV and, sadly, that he was black. We are much better off picking someone who is a leader of an organization.

    He’s got his work cut out, so let’s give him our best wishes.

    Vermont, Steele isn’t going away. He’ll be on Sharpton’s program, and he’ll be on op eds and MSNBC and the Today show. Sadly, he has repeatedly chosen himself over his party. That’s always been his big problem. He will strive twice as hard now to justify his failure as racism in the GOP.

    We made a mistake with him that will never go away. That’s why we have to be careful with these moves. Reince is probably a good choice on this count.

    Dustin (b54cdc)

  7. “but we have nowhere to go but up”

    Not sure about this.

    Is there any black Republican who is now a major influence in the party? It reminds me a little bit of NPR’s firing of Juan Williams. Kind of undercuts their narrative of fairness that they don’t have a single black correspondent now. They may have their reasons, but it doesn’t look good.

    And, as far as I can tell, nothing that Steele said or did hurt anyone’s election chances in the recent Republican congressional blowout. Even where Republicans bombed (my state), Steele was not a negative factor.

    There are trade offs in life. I’m not sure this was a good battle or a good trade off. I come away with a bad taste in my mouth and no incentive to give to, trust or defend the RNC.

    T D (7d9cc1)

  8. I dread Joe Scarborough getting his hands on Steele.. all the faux conservative memes ready to spin. He’ll never leave the Soros plantation, that J-Scar. Not with that dead female aide just a google away.

    Vermont Neighbor (6ca166)

  9. And, as far as I can tell, nothing that Steele said or did hurt anyone’s election chances in the recent Republican congressional blowout. Even where Republicans bombed (my state), Steele was not a negative factor.

    I think it cost us at least ten House races, easily. Probably more than that.

    And it cost us many state races, too. The RNC was unable to do its work of channeling funds to races we can win, that aren’t getting lots of attention.

    Steele was an abject failure. By his estimation, the GOP wasn’t ready to take the House. He was completely unprepared. Reince’s first order of business is simply putting the organization back together. Steele fired a lot of our best people, just to fill with his cronies.

    It’s not about Steele costing us races because he made a gaffe. Sure, his amazing tendency to criticize the GOP was annoying, but only an idiot would vote for a democrat because of that. The real problem is that the RNC was unable to do its work.

    Since 2004, I’ve worked in the 72 hour GOTV program if I wasn’t doing something else for an eelction. Except in 2010, because the RNC couldn’t afford one. That’s huge. There’s no doubt Steele cost us races.

    Your argument is that we traded Steele’s blackness for something worth less to the narrative. I don’t care about Steele’s race. And guess what: people who do are not going to be voting for Republicans anyway.

    Dustin (b54cdc)

  10. Michael Steele & co. fumbled the GOTV efforts, so critical at the end. Angle’s race affected, Carly, Buck in CO as I recall.

    Ken Blackwell lost out to Steele, wish that hadn’t happened.

    Vermont Neighbor (ffe6ea)

  11. Sarah Palin was a big Steele fan, back before her career imploded

    happyfeet (aa4bab)

  12. Re cronies. A letter arrived shortly after Steele signed on. Some girl, or lady, writing up a chatty hello and saying she had been raised in a family of liberals but turned the corner or saw the light. Maryland is not my idea of a real conservative hangout (her background and his)… I just read that letter a couple times and hoped for the best.

    On another note, it seems way too many GOP events are held at Hyatt.. even some RGA events. That whole Pritzker-Chicago-O cabinet connection should be avoided seems to me. The RGA is awesome, though.. saved us all this year and for the next decade.

    Vermont Neighbor (6ca166)

  13. Sarah Palin was a big Steele fan, back before her career imploded

    Comment by happyfeet

    True. Well, at least she offered a statement in support of Steele. I think rumors of her career’s implosion are greatly exaggerated.

    Dustin (b54cdc)

  14. that she’s scared to talk to anybody but hannity is not a sign of confidence

    happyfeet (aa4bab)

  15. Is there any black Republican who is now a major influence in the party? It reminds me a little bit of NPR’s firing of Juan Williams.

    I’m not sure this was a good battle or a good trade off. I come away with a bad taste in my mouth and no incentive to give to, trust or defend the RNC.

    Steele was essentially ineffective and not up to the task at hand, as well as having lost the respect of many. He also had several serious lapses in judgment that harmed the RNC and it’s image – which it can ill afford.

    With that, do you want us to to retain him simply to make sure the RNC has a black man in leadership and be able to point him out to the left – like some sort of token – to show how broad-minded we are?

    Or do we want to select someone for the position who has the necessary experience, charisma, and ability to promote the Republican political platform, coordinate fundraising and election strategy?

    Dana (8ba2fb)

  16. that she’s scared to talk to anybody but hannity is not a sign of confidence

    Funny you see it as her being scared, when quite possibly she just doesn’t see any value in giving the MSM an opportunity to viciously attack her, because no matter how sound, reasonable, and spot-on she might be in an interview, it wouldn’t matter. Their proven track record of doing that exact thing can’t and shouldn’t be ignored.

    What would it say about someone who freely subjects themselves to being brutalized?

    Clearly she’s not that dumb after all.

    Dana (8ba2fb)

  17. that she’s scared to talk to anybody but hannity is not a sign of confidence

    Comment by happyfeet

    True. Then again, who should she talk to? I think most of the answers we’d hear are actually just irrelevant people in the MSM. Couric? Matthews? They automatically say whatever they need to to help the democrat narrative. They are meaningless and ought to be ignored. But there are some reasonable interviewers out there she should interact with. Good bloggers who do podcasts, some of FNC’s more serious interviewers (Hannity is a clown), etc.

    Dustin (b54cdc)

  18. happyfeet:

    she’s scared to talk to anybody but hannity …

    Prove it. Give me a link showing Palin has refused interviews since the Tucson shooting because she is scared to be interviewed.

    DRJ (fdd243)

  19. By the way, it’s not the same thing to say she feared for her safety.

    DRJ (fdd243)

  20. I can’t prove it cause it’s baseless conjecture DRJ

    but I suspect you knew that

    happyfeet (aa4bab)

  21. This DBag from Wisconsin who is taking over does not impress me at all.

    daleyrocks (e7bc4f)

  22. he likes chockit chip ice creams

    happyfeet (aa4bab)

  23. daleyrocks, you’re probably thinking about his odd legal fees, his RNC sending cash to Wisconsin and crediting it to fundraising.

    Well… let’s just hope for the best. This isn’t about a man who sets policy. I hope we rarely see this yahoo on TV, and he gets the party running smoothly again.

    Wasn’t my first choice either, or my second, but we did make a major upgrade today.

    Dustin (b54cdc)

  24. He [Priebus] also made a point of promising to reach out to the disparate activist groups that popped up as the influence of the RNC waned. “All of these groups will have a seat at the table when I’m chairman of the Republican National Committee,” he said at the only candidates debate Jan. 3. “We’re not in competition with the [Tea Party] movement, we’re part of it. We need unity, we need to be working together.”

    Hm.

    Dana (8ba2fb)

  25. Is there any black Republican who is now a major influence in the party?

    LTC West was getting some good buzz on various blogs last year. Hopefully his influence will grow.

    malclave (4f3ec1)

  26. LTC West is worth 1000 Steeles.

    HOWEVER,

    I respect that man far too much to just use him as a token black Republican. I could care less that his skin is darker than mine. I would respect him just as much, and his place in the party ought to be just as high, regardless, based on the content of his character.

    This is how we screwed up with Steele. We tried to take a shortcut, for the sake of opinions which will never be satisfied, and wound up with a selfish backstabber as our Chairman.

    West doesn’t even need the extra credit. Content of Character is the perfect test for a man like that. Sorry if I sound sanctimonious.

    Dustin (b54cdc)

  27. This was my concern at comment 15 – do we want to make the same mistake again for the sake of some bit of political correctness – which is what it really is? Clearly nobody wins in that.

    Dana (8ba2fb)

  28. There’s going to be a new sheriff in town, and the usual suspects are nervous.

    AD-RtR/OS! (f92726)

  29. During his tenure, Steele acted like he was John McCain running for President. Because obviously party organization “leaders” should insult their party and be a distraction rather than, you know, organize their party. Also, they should piss off the party’s base by pointless pandering to the media’s sensibilities.

    That’s what a real national committee chairman does!

    DeepElemBlues (a78b16)

  30. If Palin talks to anyone in the statist media, the reporter will go in with the agenda of trashing her. An even-handed interview would end the reporter’s career.

    So, unless Palin wants to get hit with endless repetitions of the same BS, gotcha questions and general disrespect, she’s got to go to Fox. After all, that’s the only place that will hire someone who votes Republican.

    Kevin M (298030)

  31. Being the Chairman of Team R is not something I would want on my resume.

    JD (d4bbf1)

  32. The GOP is in deep. Too bad they don’t listen to conservatives.

    The Left (e03e7a)

  33. That was actually me. Not that it makes a difference.

    Ag80 (e03e7a)

  34. “With that, do you want us to to retain him simply to make sure the RNC has a black man in leadership and be able to point him out to the left – like some sort of token – to show how broad-minded we are?

    “Or do we want to select someone for the position who has the necessary experience, charisma, and ability to promote the Republican political platform, coordinate fundraising and election strategy?”

    It’s a hard choice. There are reasons, just like at NPR for firing Juan Williams, but it doesn’t look good when the only major black Republican is kicked out. The question is not so much about Steele, but about can any black Republican make it to the top tier. There must be others besides Steele or new Congressman West who have leadership skills. Why aren’t they visible?

    Having the best person win is right–if all those who try have a truly even shot. The problem is that it doesn’t often seem like everyone has an equal shot or is judged the same.

    I hope Priebus is better than every other candidate who ran. He has an uphill slog to prove himself better than Steele just in terms of party unity–let alone election results. The party was not divided under Steele and the Tea Party did not reject Steele or Republicans (thanks to Palin). It’s going to be hard to keep that standard let alone beat it.

    T D (7d9cc1)

  35. TD, Steele did not unite the party, and his election results are awful. We won so many elections despite him, and lost many because of him. DIRECTLY because of him.

    You’re right that we demand better from now on. It’s going to be easy to beat that standard. Let’s see if the RNC can be financially successful in a way Steele was an abject failure.

    What do you mean it seems like people aren’t judged the same? You’re looking at people based on the color of their skin, instead of the content of their character. My brain doesn’t have that program in it, so maybe I’m just unable to work with that.

    you say it’s a hard choice between being a racist and picking a real leader. Look: find another party. The GOP is not for you.

    Dustin (b54cdc)

  36. TD, thank you for responding to my question.

    Your perspective is interesting and consistent.

    When you say it doesn’t look good when the only black Republican is kicked out, I would ask, doesn’t look good to whom? That’s the question – who are we trying to look good for? You seem to be defining good by skin color.

    Secondly, he wasn’t kicked out, but rather did not meet expectation and was not successful in meeting the job requirements. That would be a result of his own actions and decisions. Why then do you refer to it as being kicked-out?

    The problem is that it doesn’t often seem like everyone has an equal shot or is judged the same.

    You need to explain this further. It sounds like you don’t believe there is a level playing field, and perhaps even suggesting that a black man does not have an equal shot and is judged by a different standard. Is that what you are saying?

    Dana (8ba2fb)

  37. What would motivate someone to agitate for Steele on the day he’s withdrawn from the chairmanship?

    Why not agitate for him yesterday? Obviously, none of these ‘Steele sure united the GOP’ arguments will work on anyone who was awake recently. It’s just the classic ‘boy, I guess y’all hate black people’ argument.

    Only, that doesn’t make much sense. We just had a black chairman. It’ll be the same argument we hear if Obama loses in 2012. Somehow, the nation that just elected a black president is now racist again.

    I don’t think there’s any way to beat that complaint with the race hustlers. They aren’t really interested in MLK’s dream. The only way to keep the dream alive is to mock and scorn the bigots.

    Dustin (b54cdc)

  38. Dana, TD says it’s hard to choose between having a token chairman for race hustling, vs picking the best chairman.

    I don’t know what TD means by ‘the only black republican’, but I do know that we find new chairman, any time they don’t do an effective job. Steele was actually criticizing his own party, showing up on Al Sharpton’s program to complain about racism in the ranks that I never saw evidence of.

    I’m glad Dana has some patience here, but I say… that’s not acceptable.

    Dustin (b54cdc)

  39. TD: If Steele is the “only Black Republican”, who is that Dude from GA who’s organizing a Presidential campaign in Iowa?…
    Not to mention those two Black Congressmen elected last November?

    AD-RtR/OS! (f92726)

  40. It’s too bad Condoleeza Rice wasn’t running, but TD would probably just call her a house negro.

    daleyrocks (e7bc4f)

  41. With all the Clintonites in Obama’s administration now, he could just turn over the presidency to Bill or Hillary and nobody would notice. The country would be happier.

    daleyrocks (e7bc4f)

  42. Everyone except the parents of interns.

    AD-RtR/OS! (f92726)

  43. It’s a hard choice.

    I don’t see that it’s a hard choice. Ideally the best person for the job should get it. What’s difficult about that?

    Of course it would be difficult if your criteria for *best* referred to or included skin color.

    There must be others besides Steele or new Congressman West who have leadership skills. Why aren’t they visible?

    So you are suggesting that the reason there aren’t visible blacks in the leadership is because they are black? To arrive at that conclusion clearly requires one to think on color lines in lieu of quality of character, skill sets and who can bring the most to the position.
    And isn’t that the goal – to judge not by the color of skin? I thought this is what our new post-racial society is all about.

    Dana (8ba2fb)

  44. Dana – You are supposed to be a coward and not talk about stuff like that.

    daleyrocks (e7bc4f)

  45. You’re right, daley. My place is in the kitchen. I was out of place, literally and figuratively.

    Dana (8ba2fb)

  46. Dana – Please note, I didn’t say anything about the kitchen. Your last freaking shoe hurt like a sumbitch!

    daleyrocks (e7bc4f)

  47. I think all concerned Americans should demand that any school from 8th grade through to College level should be required to teach the US Constitution and Bill of Rights in detail if they receive federal funds of any type. Congress should pass a law requiring this ; they can do it as they dictate many other things that must be taught. Write call or email your Congressman and demand the passage of such a law. The Constitution should be taught in detail and in in its entirety. We will lose our rights if we do not defend them. How can we defend our rights if we are not taught what they are?

    Boar Breath (917997)

  48. “21.This DBag from Wisconsin who is taking over does not impress me at all”

    Bullseye. The Wisconsin contingent is in Barbour’s pocket, and Walker, Ryan, seemingly Johnson are honest, solid, loyal GOP soldiers.

    Priebus is a goof, his money raising prowess total BS. He was Steele’s general counsel until declaring for Chair.

    Saw a free association candidate-assessment of Walker’s leading one to think Barbour, content by nature to be the Wiz, has designs on the Nomination. Romney unloved, Palin feared but not loved, Daniels respected but ignored, a couple others forgettable.

    Not a move toward TEAs but definitely a step away from the elites, good for party unity, but a smaller tent, IMO.

    gary gulrud (790d43)

  49. TD sounds like another faux “concerned Christian Conservative” that we witnessed with much frequency here during the last POTUS election. He seemingly fails to notice this classic tell inherent within his posts. Go back to Kosland and come back with some new marching orders, TD – something a little more recent would at least be more amusing.

    Dmac (498ece)

  50. “can any black Republican make it to the top tier”

    Like Magic, our lawn-jockey Lenin made it to the pinnacle of Dimmihood.

    Dimmis have so crapped the bed with this con that the conscious dreaming Joker will be ridden like a glue-bucket nag to the horse’s rear end of the coalition. Maybe Kucinich will primary ‘im.

    gary gulrud (790d43)


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