Steele is the new RNC chair

[Anonymous]

The RNC has just elected its first African American chair: Michael Steele, Maryland's former lieutenant governor. Interesting.

[jsteele]

Your headline scarred me for a second.

I guess this will mean for hits for my son's website, michaelsteele.com

[Anonymous]

Sorry! You never know, Jeff; if Obama and Dick Cheney are distant cousins, perhaps you and the new RNC chair are somehow related. After all, you named your son after him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The RNC has just elected its first African American chair: Michael Steele, Maryland's former lieutenant governor. Interesting.

It's another cynical move on the part of Republicans. Like Bush-The-First appointing Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court. Could we have gotten a worse justice? Flame away, but were he white, he would never have gotten in. And think how much further to the left the Supreme Court would be now (that would be a good thing).

I know little about Michael Steele except that he's a moderate Republican. But let's face it, he was elected to the RNC because we just elected the first black President of the United States.

The Republicans are desperate to change their image before the next election cycle. They'll have to do a lot more than electing an African American conservative to chair their organization.

[Anonymous]

I'm a Dem, but I think it is a solid move to recognize that the party must become more inclusive. Some may see it as pandering, but I don't. It will have some very important effects. For example, I can't see this RNC paying for race-related negative ads. It may also change the kind of candidates groomed for the House. I can't see RNC putting its weight behind someone willing to campaign only to a white constituency within a racially split district. And I don't imagine he's going to tolerate crap like "Barack the Magic Negro".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The RNC has just elected its first African American chair: Michael Steele, Maryland's former lieutenant governor. Interesting.

It's another cynical move on the part of Republicans. Like Bush-The-First appointing Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court. Could we have gotten a worse justice? Flame away, but were he white, he would never have gotten in. And think how much further to the left the Supreme Court would be now (that would be a good thing).

I know little about Michael Steele except that he's a moderate Republican. But let's face it, he was elected to the RNC because we just elected the first black President of the United States.

The Republicans are desperate to change their image before the next election cycle. They'll have to do a lot more than electing an African American conservative to chair their organization.

As a resdident of MD and having followed Mr. Steele's career I am offended by your conclusion that he was simply elected because he is black. Please read his bio and what he has done for the state of MD and the US before you make sweeping generalizations. Frankly, your comments are racist and offensive.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:Your headline scarred me for a second.

I guess this will mean for hits for my son's website, michaelsteele.com

He's a cutie.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I don't think Steele was elected as a display of tokenism or cynicism. It was not an easy win for him; it took six ballots and the contest was hard fought. In the end, the two candidates remaining were Steele and Katon Dawson, a southern Republican who exemplifies some of the party's troubles: He was, until recently, a member of an all-white country club. So I agree with the PPs who see Steele's election as representing a sea change within the GOP, and a move in a much-needed direction for that party and for the nation as a whole. One need not be a Republican -- I most certainly am not -- to appreciate the historical fact that now both major political parties in our country are headed by African Americans: Barack Obama and Michael Steele.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The RNC has just elected its first African American chair: Michael Steele, Maryland's former lieutenant governor. Interesting.

It's another cynical move on the part of Republicans. Like Bush-The-First appointing Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court. Could we have gotten a worse justice? Flame away, but were he white, he would never have gotten in. And think how much further to the left the Supreme Court would be now (that would be a good thing).

I know little about Michael Steele except that he's a moderate Republican. But let's face it, he was elected to the RNC because we just elected the first black President of the United States.

The Republicans are desperate to change their image before the next election cycle. They'll have to do a lot more than electing an African American conservative to chair their organization.

Agree. I was a knee jerk thing to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The RNC has just elected its first African American chair: Michael Steele, Maryland's former lieutenant governor. Interesting.

It's another cynical move on the part of Republicans. Like Bush-The-First appointing Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court. Could we have gotten a worse justice? Flame away, but were he white, he would never have gotten in. And think how much further to the left the Supreme Court would be now (that would be a good thing).

I know little about Michael Steele except that he's a moderate Republican. But let's face it, he was elected to the RNC because we just elected the first black President of the United States.

The Republicans are desperate to change their image before the next election cycle. They'll have to do a lot more than electing an African American conservative to chair their organization.

This is offensive. The man is educated, smart, easy on the eyes, the TV camera loves him, he is articulate, and he has paid his dues in Republican politics. I am the poster who said Go Michael Steele a few weeks ago in another thread. If Bush hadn't been in the White House running an unpopular war Steele would probably be the current Senator from MD.

How can Democrats object to Barack the Magic Negro and then turn around and belittle another well educated and articulate black man's achievement on the grounds of his race? Hypocritical much?

I have been delighted since I heard the news - and now if the Steelers can just win tomorrow life will be perfect

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The RNC has just elected its first African American chair: Michael Steele, Maryland's former lieutenant governor. Interesting.

It's another cynical move on the part of Republicans. Like Bush-The-First appointing Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court. Could we have gotten a worse justice? Flame away, but were he white, he would never have gotten in. And think how much further to the left the Supreme Court would be now (that would be a good thing).

I know little about Michael Steele except that he's a moderate Republican. But let's face it, he was elected to the RNC because we just elected the first black President of the United States.

The Republicans are desperate to change their image before the next election cycle. They'll have to do a lot more than electing an African American conservative to chair their organization.

Agree. I was a knee jerk thing to do.

So do democrats have the market cornered on black?

You are gross.

www.blackinformat.com

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The RNC has just elected its first African American chair: Michael Steele, Maryland's former lieutenant governor. Interesting.

It's another cynical move on the part of Republicans. Like Bush-The-First appointing Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court. Could we have gotten a worse justice? Flame away, but were he white, he would never have gotten in. And think how much further to the left the Supreme Court would be now (that would be a good thing).

I know little about Michael Steele except that he's a moderate Republican. But let's face it, he was elected to the RNC because we just elected the first black President of the United States.

The Republicans are desperate to change their image before the next election cycle. They'll have to do a lot more than electing an African American conservative to chair their organization.

Agree. I was a knee jerk thing to do.

So do democrats have the market cornered on black?

You are gross.

www.blackinformat.com

Of course not! But the question remains: does the Republican party have anything to offer blacks? I am a Dem who previously posted and still believe that Steele's election is a solid move in the right direction.

But if you are black, what do you make of the fact that it took six runoffs, where the #2 person was recently a member of a whites-only club and seems to have problems with school desegregation? Does that not make you wonder or want to google to find out who would vote for a guy like that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The RNC has just elected its first African American chair: Michael Steele, Maryland's former lieutenant governor. Interesting.

It's another cynical move on the part of Republicans. Like Bush-The-First appointing Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court. Could we have gotten a worse justice? Flame away, but were he white, he would never have gotten in. And think how much further to the left the Supreme Court would be now (that would be a good thing).

I know little about Michael Steele except that he's a moderate Republican. But let's face it, he was elected to the RNC because we just elected the first black President of the United States.

The Republicans are desperate to change their image before the next election cycle. They'll have to do a lot more than electing an African American conservative to chair their organization.

As a resdident of MD and having followed Mr. Steele's career I am offended by your conclusion that he was simply elected because he is black. Please read his bio and what he has done for the state of MD and the US before you make sweeping generalizations. Frankly, your comments are racist and offensive.

I hardly think I'm the racist one. I'm a Democrat. We just elected the first black president. The Republicans offered an old white guy and Sarah Palin.

If Steele were so wonderful and uniquely qualified to run the GOP (and maybe he is, I don't know), why didn't the Republicans pick him to run their party long before the Democrats elected the first black U.S. President? If Steele's the best candidate, why did it take the Republicans six ballots to elect him?

Remember Alan Keyes, the guy the Republicans imported to Illinois to run against Barak Obama for the U.S. Senate? Did they pick him because he was the best candidate for the job? No. It was because he is black. Name-call all you wish, but the truth is the truth.

I have no idea if Steele will be a good thing for the Republican party because he's black. Clarence Thomas hasn't done anything for black Americans because he's black.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The RNC has just elected its first African American chair: Michael Steele, Maryland's former lieutenant governor. Interesting.

It's another cynical move on the part of Republicans. Like Bush-The-First appointing Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court. Could we have gotten a worse justice? Flame away, but were he white, he would never have gotten in. And think how much further to the left the Supreme Court would be now (that would be a good thing).

I know little about Michael Steele except that he's a moderate Republican. But let's face it, he was elected to the RNC because we just elected the first black President of the United States.

The Republicans are desperate to change their image before the next election cycle. They'll have to do a lot more than electing an African American conservative to chair their organization.

As a resdident of MD and having followed Mr. Steele's career I am offended by your conclusion that he was simply elected because he is black. Please read his bio and what he has done for the state of MD and the US before you make sweeping generalizations. Frankly, your comments are racist and offensive.

I hardly think I'm the racist one. I'm a Democrat. We just elected the first black president. The Republicans offered an old white guy and Sarah Palin.

If Steele were so wonderful and uniquely qualified to run the GOP (and maybe he is, I don't know), why didn't the Republicans pick him to run their party long before the Democrats elected the first black U.S. President? If Steele's the best candidate, why did it take the Republicans six ballots to elect him?

Remember Alan Keyes, the guy the Republicans imported to Illinois to run against Barak Obama for the U.S. Senate? Did they pick him because he was the best candidate for the job? No. It was because he is black. Name-call all you wish, but the truth is the truth.

I have no idea if Steele will be a good thing for the Republican party because he's black. Clarence Thomas hasn't done anything for black Americans because he's black.

OP here. No offense, PP, but Michael Steele is hardly a barely-qualified Clarence Thomas or a nutty Alan Keyes. Those analogies are fallacious. As for why it took six ballots, Steele was and is considered too moderate by many GOP leaders. He's been a rising star in the party for some time, however, and is highly regarded. In the end, as each of the contenders withdrew, they weigh throwing their support to Katon Dawson, the face of the old GOP, and Steele, who like Bobby Jindal represents a break with the Republican Party of the past. Choosing Steele was smart. I, like some PPs, find it offensive that you leap to the conclusion of tokenism, and I think if you knew a bit more about Steele you'd realize why we feel that way. To characterize him as an Alan Keyes type suggests that you're fairly uninformed.

[Anonymous]

You are right. I know little about Steele. As I stated above, he may be the best man for the job, I don't know.

Based on the Republican's track record of tokenism, I think it's logical to consider Steele was chosen because of the color of his skin. Nothing is beneath Republicans -- they chose a thoroughly unqualified Sarah Palin as vice-presidential candidate. And I mean no offense to Mr. Steele. Surely it's naive to assume he was elected based solely on his qualifications.

Again, if he's the best, why didn't the Republicans elect him BEFORE we elected Obama?