Michael Steele

The RNC Chair gave a disastrous interview with the notoriously tough GQ.

The Captain opines on Steele's subtle pro-life/choice/life position and notes that

One thing is certain: he’s a lot less media savvy than most of us thought.  And since he doesn’t seem to have much skill in organization, we have to ask ourselves why we should support his continued tenure as RNC chair.

Allahpundit pulls some other inflammatory remarks, including this on Rush:

So, Rush Limbaugh—good or bad for you guys?

Rush is a friend. I like Rush. Rush is a bomb-thrower extraordinaire. And we need him. We need him because what he does is, he stimulates debate. And I know it drives a lot of folks on the left loony. But so does Al Franken for us. Okay? So don’t give me, “Rush is a bad guy, we need to offset him.” You already have. You got Al Franken, for goodness sakes.

For heaven's sake - Rush is Al Franken?

[END OF THREAD]

Comments

[bgates]

He combines Frum's passion for the base with W's gift for the apt phrase.

If Saruman had used Obama as the model when he was creating the Uruk-Hai, he would have ended up with Michael Steele.

[kim]

What the Hell was he doing talking to the loony GQ anyway?
========================================

[kim]

Next up, the tete a tete with Markos.
=====================================

[Captain Hate]

Can somebody who knows Malkin please tell her to get rid of AllahDouchbag? He belongs with Buckley, Frum and the rest of the squishes who "aren't comfortable with conservatism".

I had hope for Steele but so far I'm not impressed. He'll ultimately be judged on how well the party does in elections but based on what he's done so far I'm not impressed.

[Neo]

Proof positive …
that Obama has now switched from cigarettes to cigars

[kim]

Please everyone go read Thomas Collins' link on the Shut Up thread. It is disturbing.
===========================================

[Old Lurker]

Not an organizer and not a debater.

Why shouldn't he be replaced today?

[Porchlight]

I'm pretty tired of Allahpundit, too, Captain. He seems bored with his job, clearly dislikes his readers, and posts as many anti-Rush, anti-Palin, or atheist stories as he can to stir up trouble (and boost traffic) in the comments. I still like his snark when he's on point, but at this point, Ed Morrissey is covering more and better ground.

[DebinNC]

Steele lacks discretion, and I don't think that innate lack can be fixed. His tenure will demonstrate the meaning of "death by a thousand cuts".

[Porchlight]

Yeah. I thought that of the RNC candidates, Steele had the best shot of getting the message out. But if he's failed in that, he hasn't got much to offer.

[kasper]

Not impressed with Steele either, and referencing Al Franken after a comment about Limbaugh? Really out of touch.

Or, maybe it's just me. By the way things seem to be going, conservatism I guess, IS on the fringe. So be it.

The clumsy verbiage problem seems to be chronic with our Republican leadership. However, I'm still willing to Steele him time to get it together.

[kim]

The message was supposed to be that we've got a sensible black man as opposed to the incompetent whack job the Democrats have. Common sense is not au courant, now, though; craziness is.
=============================================

[MayBee]

I'm going to wait on Michael Steele.
Howard Dean often seemed disastrous, but he delivered for his party.
There are so many problems with Democrats these days, I don't think anybody who is a non-Democrat should focus on any non-Democrat problems.

[glasater]

Steele should not have fired all the RNC staff once he got in there. A bunch of experience was lost there.

He should not be giving interviews right now. He needs to be organizing and visiting the grassroots and raising money--not have his mug on the tube or in any media right now.
He should be talking with Newt big time and getting advice.
Wish Haley Barbor would call up Steele and give him a talking to.

Kim--I read that UMass article and found it so upsetting. It's like the late sixties and early seventies all over again only much more virulent.

[Rick Ballard]

"Why shouldn't he be replaced today?"

It would just be setting up a new target. If Romney would abandon elective politics and turn his executive talent to tightening the RNC, I might be in favor of such a move.

I sort of wish folks would read that 8:45 'five minute hate' piece in conjunction with what's happening to Steele. I would suggest that he shut up for a few weeks and get down to replacing the people who were fired but I'm not about to pick up a rock.

We can skip AholePundit as well - we already "have" Sully, why do we need him?

[kim]

Yes, glasater, and it isn't just powerless kids anymore. It's fascist adults. What has become of us? Oh where is the free press of vaunted history?
==========================================

[kim]

I still like Steele, but he shouldn't be talking to anyone but Republicans now. Plenty of time later for big talk once he gets his shit together.
================================================

[SunnyDay]

Listen to Fred Thompson's show.

He needs some folks to call in.

[MayBee]

I sort of wish folks would read that 8:45 'five minute hate' piece in conjunction with what's happening to Steele. I would suggest that he shut up for a few weeks and get down to replacing the people who were fired but I'm not about to pick up a rock.

I agree wholeheartedly, Rick.
People remember how many times it was demanded Karl Rove step down, right?
Even by Republicans, because he was a "distraction".
The problem is, you can't give in to the people whose goal in life is to find new ways to make distractions.

[Fresh Air]

Why not Fred for RNC chair? He must be thinking of running again and doesn't want to hang that albatross around his neck. But he at least has his head screwed on straight, as opposed to Newt, who's drinking Al Gore's Kool-Aid.

[SunnyDay]

I quit reading HotAir a while back. Every now and then I peek at it to see if there's anything new, and when I see the words "The obligatory........ post" I just click away. There is something about the attitude there. I can't put my finger on what it is, but I don't like it.

[Porchlight]

Fair enough, MayBee and Rick. If Steele can take some time and get it together, I can wwait. I definitely think we shouldn't be turning on our own at this point if it's unnecessary.

[bgates]

People remember how many times it was demanded Karl Rove step down, right? Even by Republicans

The Limbaugh/Cheney wing of the party or the Specter/McCain wing?

It's not remotely comparable. Rove was under pressure because Democrats hate him. Steele is under pressure for telling Democrats and independents they are right to hate us.

TC's story about fascist student Democrats has nothing to do with discontent over Steele. They're not trying to shut him up, they're trying to book him for every tv show on the air.

[Fresh Air]

WRT HotAir. I think Michelle is pretty good at brimming up outrage on worthy subjects. This guy Allahpundit is simply unreadable, while Morrissey just doesn't seem to offer a distinctive voice. In sum, it isn't worth the click most of the time.

[Jane]

Michael Steele's interview (at least the part quoted at Hot Air) didn't bother me. he was a little ham handed about choice but I agree with him pretty much and struggle with articulating the same thing.

And I thought it wasn't a bad thing to highlight that Al Franken is not a senator but a talk show host - in fact Franken is a failed talk show host.

Rush can hold his own, there is no need to protect him.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Why shouldn't he be replaced today?

Because he can't be?

[glasater]

Michelle Malkin-Unhinged at UMass is really not appropriate to this thread but it has been discussed a bit in these comments.
That's my story and I'm stickin to it.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Hey, folks, I'm trying to recall something, but I'm in a hurry and can't research it easily. Do I recall correctly that FAS 157, the famous "mark to market" rule, was imposed by Sarbanes-Oxley? (Or, more precisely, the need for a market-value accounting scheme was imposed by SOx and FAS 157 was the result?)

[Old Lurker]

I know, I know MayBee and Rick.

But if a bad hire has been made, it is usually best to correct it ASAP and get on with the goal. Hiring mistakes happen. Not correcting them fast enough is often worse than the original mistake.

Is there any evidence he understands the job and is making progress in any direction, or that he posseses the skills required to organize and communicate?

[Captain Hate]

bgates is right: Comparing Steele and Rove is ludicrous. Rove always made it very clear where both he and the party stood, and it was always in the same place. Steele sounds like a cross between President 666 w/o teleprompter and Caroline Kennedy-Carpberger in terms of being almost completely inarticulate and off-message. He really needs to stfu to everybody except party members. Either that or conduct his own "Tavis Smiley" show on some local cable access channel in a completely unpopulated area to try and learn how to speak off the cuff without sounding like an idiot.

[MayBee]

He really needs to stfu to everybody except party members.

I do agree with that.

[Fresh Air]

Charlie--

I don't think so. The FASB establishes all the accounting rules (FAS), the same way the AMA certifies doctors and the ABA disciplines lawyers. The Feds aren't involved in that process, really. Mark to market has been around for a long time, ebbing and flowing with populist desires for accounting "transparency."

[Jane]

glasater,

That story involves our own Tom Collins' son, so it is very very appropriate and I'm glad Malkin picked it up.

[glasater]

Thanks Jane.

The call to arms was on the "Shut Up" thread but going back is difficult for some readers of this blog.

[Rick Ballard]

OL,

I actually read the GQ interview. Aside from the A-hole highlighted pull quote there isn't much to denigrate. Sure, it could have been 'better' but the RNC Chair really can't spend all his time illustrating why Democrats should be considered the devil's spawn and driven from society.

In my book he has until June-July before his first actual grading. He might want to spend more time working and less time talking to dirty socialist journos but that's as far as my advice would extend.

[Boatbuilder]

I thought Steele did just fine. His goal and task as this point is to show the public that the Republican party is not just a bunch of uptight white religious kooks and rich people. He defended Bush, Palin, Cheney, Rush and Ann Coulter, and revealed what a small-minded partisan The Messiah really is. If 10 or 20 percent of black people in this country (rather than 3%) actually start showing a willingness to listen to conservatives rather than putting their fingers in their ears and voting straight Dem, it will change the general perception among young voters of all races significantly. He can't be all things to all Republicans--neither can Rush, or McCain, or anyone else (not even the sainted Ronny made everybody happy all the time). Lighten up.

[narciso]

I thought that was probably the gist of it, some of the blogs supposedly on our side, like Patterico and Co, have really become nervous nellies. I preferred Blackwell, but I didn't really have a vote in the matter, and despite my previous statement, Katon Dawson! would have been a disaster. The idiocy exhibited by the likes of Lamar! Alexander, Collins, & Specter, is probably
weighing down the party, much more than
anything Steele is saying or doing. He's speaking to the folks at G.Q, which automatically means, you have to speak slower to them.

[glenda]

OT, except good news IS a good topic!! The other daughter got her a job, today!!! Started immediately. She is over the moon.Thanks for everyone's prayers. They do work. We must work hard for HIT, now, and keep together to diminish Obama's disaster of government. LOVE to all!!!

Off to grandparent's day visitation at the fabulous grandson's school!!

Hit-the husband's off to the hills today-I told him to honk and wave to the folks at the Bulverde sign! I think that's the last place he can buy beer! Maybe he'll run into the magnificent bastard this weekend!!

[Old Lurker]

"In my book he has until June-July before his first actual grading."

I wouldn't argue with that time frame. As I said during the last flap, we loved him here as Lt. Gov of Md. But he seems to us here to have lost the edge we liked in him when he tilted at the political machine in this most socialist of states (well, Jane might have that honor, but we're close). We assumed he would start right up with those abilities at the RNC, but alas did not.

[Jane]

YIPPEE Glenda! Best news of the day!

[hit and run]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/04/michelle-obama-wears-pant_n_172011.html>Wednesday Night Austerity Party Watch Update:

The Obamas held their largest Wednesday night event to date at the White House, this week hosting a dinner for 200 guests. Among them were Congressional leaders and their spouses, Vice President Joe Biden, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel (both of whom were just nominated in our "Who's The White House's Hottest?" poll).

The menu included celery soup, mushroom crisps, steelhead salmon, saffron couscous, crispy spinach and greens, with milk chocolate velvet cake for dessert.

First Lady Michelle Obama went a little more casual than she did at last Wednesday's event--a concert honoring Stevie Wonder, where she donned an emerald dress designed by Wonder's wife Kai Milla--wearing a black velvet track suit, large brooch, and flat black shoes.

I may have changed one word in that article.

[StrawmanCometh]

Speaking of Tavis Smiley, I saw a little bit of Steele on some panel of black people (Steelee was sitting next to Cornell West, don't get me started) mc'd by Smiley on CSPAN. Steele was just terrible, in a go along mode, and did not stand up for any Republican virtue.

[matt]

great Glenda! congratulations!

[hit and run]

Awesome Glenda! Awesome Awesome Awesome

[bgates]

His goal and task as this point is to show the public that the Republican party is not just a bunch of uptight white religious kooks and rich people.
And his approach is to say that the Republican party is a bunch of uptight white religious kooks and rich people plus Michael Steele.

Why do you think so few nonwhite Americans support the Republican Party right now?

’Cause we have offered them nothing! And the impression we’ve created is that we don’t give a damn about them or we just outright don’t like them. And that’s not a healthy thing for a political party. I think the way we’ve talked about immigration, the way we’ve talked about some of the issues that are important to African-Americans, like affirmative action… I mean, you know, having an absolute holier-than-thou attitude about something that’s important to a particular community doesn’t engender confidence in your leadership by that community—or consideration of you for office or other things—because you’ve already given off the vibe that you don’t care

Should black people vote Republican? "We've offered them nothing!", "we don't give a damn about them", and "we just outright don't like them", says RNC chair Michael Steele.

Drug addiction, the AIDS infection rate, the poverty rate within my community is as significant today as it was in 1963.
What's his community? America? The Catholic church? Maryland? Nope.

[MayBee]

Yay glenda!

[Ann]

Happy Days Glenda!

Happy Birthday Maybee!

[bad]

Here is a line from a friend requesting prayer for a collegue who lost his job yesterday in a massive layoff:

A very conservative African American, he took a lot of heat from the folks in his own community, sometimes even from his own family. Even through that he never waivered from his values. The values he called God Given.

Perhaps this gentleman would be willing to lead the Republican party.

[bad]

Glenda, what wonderful news!! God is awesome.

[bad]

Happy Birthday Maybee!!! You look marvelous!!

[glasater]

Great news Glenda--best to your daughter.

Bad~

Most of the time you touch my funnybone and the rest you touch my heart. I will include the mentioned gentleman in my prayers along with Hit and our country.

[bad]

Thank you glasater. The struggle to balance the funny side of me with my faith is ongoing.

[hit and run]

Yes, thank you glaster.

[Enlightened]

I'm not happy with Steele he needed to shut-up about two weeks ago.

More disturbing is how the left is just salivating over his "disasters" with nary a thought to how racist their criticisms are.

Oh.wait.That's the other black guy.My bad.

[narciso]

Wonderful news, Glenda, we've been needing some right about now. I was so encouraged by what I saw at CPAC, among the regular people, it's a pity the party's leadership rarely lives. Rush among all the speakers, probably captured the essence of the message, that's why the rush to distort it; although I can't quite understand the rush
to pile on, by those 'supposedly' on our side, I give points to Steele to try to communicate with the likes of G.Q, but you might as well be speaking in Klingon, or that incomprehensible dialect Del Toro was using in the 'usual suspects' to reach them.

[ben]

Those wanting Steele's head are just playing the MSM's game. It doesn't matter who is Chairman, he or she is going to be a target. If Steele gets replaced by a white person, the first question will be why is there no diversity in the RNC, etc.

[matt]

one thing I found is that the media can take any interview and tank it if they so desire. Selective quotations, sound bites, etc all can distort what may have been a good interview into something entirely different.

[bgates]

Ben, why do you think being criticized by the New York Times and being criticized by Rush Limbaugh are the same thing?

[centralcal]

Just peeking in while at work . . . another JOM birthday?

Have a great one, MayBee

[Captain Hate]

I saw a little bit of Steele on some panel of black people (Steelee was sitting next to Cornell West, don't get me started) mc'd by Smiley on CSPAN. Steele was just terrible, in a go along mode, and did not stand up for any Republican virtue.

This is the conversation I want to have with Eric "Dipstick" Holder: Why does Steele feel so intimidated that he can't honestly discuss politics with shuck 'n jive artistes like West and Smiley. Or is Holder too much of a coward for that discussion?

[Jim Rhoads a/k/a vjnjagvet]

Happy birthday MayBee from another (older) March baby. Hope you have a great one.

As someone who pushed for Steele for veep, I can't pile on yet. I am glad to see Rick's balanced assessment. I am hoping that he is trying to be somewhat of an antidote to Rush (not that I think Rush needs an antidote).

Right now, I am not in favor of the Michelle Malkin/Ann Coulter approach to republican recruitment. But I do think that selected policies are non-negotiable for the party's future success:

An economic and tax system that rewards the successful risk taking entrepreneur to the extent of his/her success and does not reward indolence, sloth and irresponsibility.

A banking/financial system where future Madoff's, Stanford's FDIC''s, and FHLMCs stupidity can't bring all US and world commerce to a screeching halt.

A strong national defense that doesn't give in to bullying or terrorism from without or within.

A fair and impartial justice system.

On social issues, I favor a much more libertarian approach than republican or democrat bluenoses, and would allow states to experiment.

I suspect that Rush and Steele would not disagree with any of those core values. Of course, maybe they are too general to be meaningful.

[bad]

Megan McCain was on Fox and Friends this morning trashing Ann Coulter and what a turn-off she is for young republicans. (Ann is supposed to be the turn-off, not Ann) I found Megan to be a turn-off. She is just trying to improve readership at the beast.

[clarice]

Happy BDay MayBee, Great news, Glenda.
I am disappointed in Steele about whom I had such high regard.

[bad]

DOH, not MEGAN

[glenda]

Heart & Soul Thanks, all!

Happy Birthday, Maybee-you silver-tongued beauty!

bad-prayer request accepted and ongoing!

You've got to wonder if Obama constantly turns his head left, then right, with all this teleprompter talk. Someone should parody his teleprompter addiction, daily--maybe, say--Michael Steele. It could be a jumpstart to discussing Obama's failings instead of Rush's prowess!

[DebinNC]

Happy, happy birthday, Maybee.

Praise the Lord, glenda.

Excellent post, Jim R. It reminded me of our denomination's motto: "In Essentials, Unity; In Non-Essentials, Liberty". And I'd like to see states be able to experiment too.

[Porchlight]

Congratulations, glenda! Absolutely wonderful news.

And Happy Birthday MayBee! :)

bad, I will ditto glasater's comment about praying for your friend and for hit, too.

Lot of praying coming out of Texas these days.

[Ignatz Ratzkywatzky]

Steele's credentials or even conservative princip-les are not what is in question.
It's competence or lack thereof. Every time he has risen higher he has proven himself less competent.
There is an unwritten rule which I'm afraid Steele adheres to; people who say stupid things never stop saying stupid things.
The proper role of the party chairman is to for the most part shut up and to spend his time recruiting and organizing.

[Porchlight]

First Lady Michelle Obama went a little more casual than she did at last Wednesday's event--a concert honoring Stevie Wonder, where she donned an emerald dress designed by Wonder's wife Kai Milla--wearing a black velvet track suit, large brooch, and flat black shoes.

I may have changed one word in that article.

LOL Hit. I knew even without peeking which word you changed. :)

Our First Lady in a track suit at a formal dinner. Ain't it sweet?

[DebinNC]

Didn't know where to post this, but the third Treasury wannabe in a week dropped out today. Ed Morrisey says it's like American Idol with nothing but William Hungs as far as the eye can see.

[Porchlight]

Oh, poor William Hung! I love him. He's better than all those "good" American Idol singers anyday. :)

That said, it's pretty pathetic re: Treasury.

[Daddy]

I used to be depressed because I didn't even know who the RNC Chairman was. Now I'm depressed because I do.

[clarice]

I think I'm the only unemployed person in DC with no tax problems..Hip Hip Hooray--I might be next!!

[MayBee]

Thanks, everyone for the birthday wishes on this, my (fake) birthday!!!
xoxoox,
m

[DebinNC]

...Geithner "found himself today on the receiving end of [Sen. Judd] Gregg's fiscal conservative wrath."

I bet that confrontation made the news...not.

[bad]

I saw a snippett of that Deb and Geithner was practically smirking behind his hand. His disdain was apparent.

[ben]

"Ben, why do you think being criticized by the New York Times and being criticized by Rush Limbaugh are the same thing?"

Bgates, nowhere in my post do I say that or imply it so kindly refrain from making things up. What I did infer was that Steele is the target of a MSM campaign to discredit him, one because he is a Republican and two because he is black, and that does not fit the MSM mantra that there is no diversity in the Republican party. Taking the bait and piling on Steele is counterproductive and is just what the MSM is trying to accomplish.

[bgates]

Steele is the target of a MSM campaign to discredit him

Who's making things up again? GQ talks about what a nice, friendly, energetic guy Steele is, and then quotes him a bunch. It discredits him pretty effectively, but it's hard to blame GQ for that.

kindly refrain from making things up

Did you read something you want to criticize? Maguire must be engaging in a campaign to discredit me.

Taking the bait and piling on Steele is counterproductive and is just what the MSM is trying to accomplish.

OK, I'll agree with him. You remind me of a Nazi. Better?

[centralcal]

Glenda, sorry I am late to the "woohoo" party, but speed reading at work means I miss a lot of stuff. Please accept my belated "WOOHOO" over the 2nd daughter's good fortune.

Now, about Steele. I agree that he has a big MSM bulls eye on his back - for lots of reasons. But, that said, he has also handed them a little too much fodder. I wish he would just go silent for awhile.

Back in the Libby days, which is what brought me here in the first place, I was also very troubled by Ari Fleischer (sp). Now, with the passage of some time, and a really good take down of Prissy Chrissy, he has redeemed himself with me quite a bit. Not 100% - but better than the negative number he earned in the Libby days.

I am willing to allow Michael Steele the time to redeem himself, but first he will have to STFU for a significant amount of time.

Oh . . . and on the Brussels sprouts front - roasted at 400 deg. slathered in olive oil, seasoned with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, served with a boneless pork loin chop in a vermouth deglaze/reduction was absolutely heavenly. I will never boil a sprout again. Thanks to all the JOM cooks (except you, Mel) who steered me in the right direction!!

smooches, as Clarice would say.

[ben]

BGates
You attributed something to me that I did not say or imply. You made it up. Next time read post before swallowing foot.

[Boatbuilder]

Steele isn't talking to you or me in that interview--he is talking to non-Republicans. He goes out of his way to make clear to all and sundry that he is a product of the 'hood and a lover of hip-hop. That was not an accident. He uses the term "redlining" three times if I recall correctly--means nothing to most non-minorities but is a hot-button issue for minorities. The interviewer tries to get him to say something pro-or anti-gay and he dances around it. He is critical of "absolutists" on immigration.
I think he knows better than most how important it is (for him and the Republican Party) not to be tagged as an "Uncle Tom" or a token black face--while at the same time trying to appeal to those who are energized by the election of a black man as President.
I don't think the interview discredited him at all, except to members of the ideologically committed Right. I think that was the point (I say this as a member of the ideologically committed Right).

[Ignatz Ratzkywatzky]

His goal and task as this point is to show the public that the Republican party is not just a bunch of uptight white religious kooks and rich people.

Respectfully, that is not now and never should be the goal and task of any Republican leader.
Virtually the only morons who think that are leftists who will never vote for a Republican or conservative.
The Republicans need good recruitment and good organization neither of which is advanced by Steele shooting his mouth off, even if he's hitting his target rather than shooting himself in the foot.
If Repubs are so concerned about looking like racists then they can replace him with Blackwell, who is sober and sharp and from what I can tell a pretty decent organizer.

[ben]

"I don't think the interview discredited him at all,.."

I agree, my point is that Howard Dean or Terry Mcauliffe made plenty of gaffes but were never subject to this much scrutiny and aggressive questions like Steele is. Having said that of course he has to be prepared and hold his own under fire.

[ben]

"The Republicans need good recruitment and good organization neither of which is advanced by Steele shooting his mouth off,"

Frankly, I think the verdict is still out on recruitment and organization the guy just took over. I think the main beef conservatives have with him is that he isn't conservative enough, and his performance in interviews an excuse to dump him. A shortsighted approach.

[Rick Ballard]

I want to see Act II. He's setting himself slightly apart from 'the base' and we'll be seeing the socialist puke press running some 'conservatives call for his head' drivel. If his follow up is some hard punches thrown at Buck Zero (and Turbo, the wonder cheat), then we'll start cheering again.

It ain't like Act I, Scene II is the whole play.

[bgates]

You attributed something to me that I did not say or imply

You said Steele's been the target of a campaign by the MSM. I haven't seen anyone with an audience criticize him besides Rush. GQ liked him well enough; the questions weren't nearly as hostile to Republicans as his answers were. DL Hughley liked him well enough; Steele certainly didn't interfere with his bile for Republicans either.

Maybe there's been something on NBC news or in the New York Times that's critical of Steele, but like the vast majority of well-informed people, I have no use for either of those. You accused me of "taking the bait". How can I take it if I don't know it's there? All I know about Steele are his own words. I suppose I could wait for some news outfit I generally don't trust to tell me what those words mean and then think the opposite, but it's quicker to just make up my own mind.

[bgates]

this much scrutiny and aggressive questions

Here again are the "aggressive questions" that got him in so much trouble on the last outing:

Are you saying you think women have the right to choose abortion?
And the stiletto followup,
You do?

[verner]

Steele Rush and Newt need to do a unity commercial and tell Obama that

a) The Republican party is a big tent with room for dissent--unlike the democrats
b) they have lots of good ideas and
c) they are united in thinking that his incompetent administration is driving the country into a socialist ditch.

[Boatbuilder]

"Virtually the only morons who think that are leftists who will never vote for a Republican or a conservative."

Ahem--And most of the population under age 30, who listen to Jon Stewart as the voice of reason, and (apparently) the 96% of the black community who never vote Republican, as well as an increasing majority of Hispanics.

You cannot get people to follow you until you get them to listen to you first. Right now those people are absolutely turned off from what they percieve as the Republican Party.

[verner]

MayBee, Happy Birthday!

[centralcal]

verner: I like it. It is constructive, and unifying. A good idea and, hopefully, one that someone will pick up and run with.

[ben]

"Maybe there's been something on NBC news or in the New York Times that's critical of Steele, but like the vast majority of well-informed people, I have no use for either of those."

Well, I think a vast majority of people, yourself excluded, understand that when one refers to the MSM one is referring exactly to MSNBC, CNN, NYT, ABC etc. So whether you have any use for them or not is irrelevant to my post that the MSM is targeting Steele. This morning the Yahoo news story led with "Embattled RNC Chairman...". The MSM printed press and TV network stories are very negative. It's all about gaffes, slow start, etc. nothing substantive. Whether you like Steele or not, I doubt you can make a case that the MSM is not hostile to him, as they are to any Republican.

[narciso]

Point taken, Boatbuilder, that's why I'm willing to cut him some slack, but people who really take Jon Stewart seriously,aren't
very discerning in the first place. We'll see how effective he'll be in the next few months, no one put this much pressure on Haley Barbour, I know the stakes are higher, it's only Western Civilization at stake.

[glasater]

I watched the Charlie Rose interview of Turbo Tim from the other night and for the life of me could not understand one point the fellow was trying to make.

In the good news front--our local daily newspaper ran a below the fold header saying Worker's health benefits eyed for taxataion.
That will get our locals' tails in a serious knot.

[mel]

ccal-

I am deeply hurt by your hurtful comments regarding my cooking skills. No matter how accurate they are.

You will never learn from me the secret to a Four Inch Tall Lasagna, or Artichoke and Wild Mushroom Ragout Soup, or toasted tagliatelle with marinated duck breast. (Oooh, that was dumb, I loaded up on Chicken Saag and I'm making myself hungry again)

I might post them for every one else, but I'll never tell you.

Maybe for MayBee's birthday, I'll share northwoods walleye recipe. A Happy Birthday to a fellow Marcher, at minimum.

[clarice]

Mel--what day in March? And what kind of cake should we virtually bake for you?

[bgates]

So whether you have any use for them or not is irrelevant to my post that the MSM is targeting Steele.

But it destroys your asinine contention that "Those wanting Steele's head are just playing the MSM's game." If these news outlets whose word you apparently hang on so you know what not to think didn't exist, Steele would still have called Limbaugh "ugly" and allowed a comparison of the Republican party to the Nazi party to go uncontested, and those of us who choose to think for ourselves rather than calibrating our reactions to the opposite of the Washington Post editorial board could still have taken offense.

Whether you like Steele or not, I doubt you can make a case that the MSM is not hostile to him
I can make a case for liking Steele or not - and here's the part you have trouble with - without reference to the MSM at all.
But by all means, don't try thinking for yourself just because I suggest it. Wait for Gwen Ifill to tell you not to.

[bad]

Mel, I like pie. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE pretty please choose pie!!!

[kim]

Hey, you two don't disagree as much as you think you do.
=====================================

[glenda]

i will make a coconut cream and a butterscotch for mel's day in March. I will even take pics of me devouring them!
:);)
nite, all --my girls are not moving home!
as many chorus' of "Hallelujah" you want!
And, Obama, leave the healthcare system alone, don't talk about them, they'll be ok
in free choice(insurance not the scarlet A the progressives crave)First, DO NO HARM!