Looks like some Republicans think it was Michael Steele's off the cuff idiocy that pushed a sensible Republican like Specter into the evil clutches of the Democratic majority (who represent the votes of the majority of Americans). I think we can all roughly translate that as: "We need to blame someone, is that guy black?"
Of course it wasn't Steele's moderate leanings (moderate compared to Bachmann maybe) that pushed Specter into our clutches, but in fact his party's attitude, the exact attitude that would lead the RNC to now demand Steele meet with them next month to discuss how he's handling things, a meeting Steele had been trying to rebuff.
As for the facts, Michael Steele's unprofessionalism continues to undercut his own party and prove that the word Republican essentially equates with arrogant incompetence... baby. But this Democrat sure hopes he's here to stay.
* Republican strategist John Feehery said Republican leaders in the Senate did all they could to hang on to Specter. More broadly, however, he said: "What it says about the party is they have to make a determination on whether they want to be in the majority or whether they want to be intellectually pure."
* The new chairman of the Republican National Committee, Michael Steele, has his work cut out for him. He has his share of critics. Steele said after Specter, Collins and Snowe voted for the stimulus plan that perhaps the Republican Party should not provide funds to help them win their re-election bids. "Oh, yes, I'm always open to everything, baby, absolutely," Steele told the Fox News Channel in February.
* Republican strategist Scott Reed said: "I always thought Specter would consider switching to become an independent to get re-elected, and it's too bad that Michael Steele pushed him into the Democrat Party."
Michael Steele has been nothing but an embarrassment to Republicans, and they're now stuck with their usual conundrum.
Do they admit their mistakes and work to correct them, or do they double down and go on losing American support, either through incompetence (Steele) or rightwing ideology (every other Republican), or more likely both?
But I also wonder if they're starting to get desperate enough to just cut their losses and give Steele the boot? I sure hope not. Going further right for the RNC is probably going to be dangerous to our country's security to be quite frank.
But as for party active conservatives, what are they saying these days about Steele? Here's the Freepers 4 days ago, before this even happened. I'll post a link if requested:
Steele is starting to look very, very shaky.
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He should step down immediately since Tedesco lost.
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If he, as you claim, understands his job, then he is doing a particulary poor one, unless his job is that of a gravedigger.
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The last time I heard Steele interviewed on Fox he was weak and very wimpy when it came to Obama. He needs to go. The Repubs have to realize what they are fighting — and fight it.
The socialists are playing for keeps. They do not follow rules and lie constantly. If Obama can have his goons attack law-abiding American citizens (Republicans and conservatives) and basically call them treasonous — then the right had better do the same to those that ARE TRULY TREASONOUS to America’s core values, principles, freedoms, laws and our Constitution.
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Has always been shakey.
This person will insure that republicans are trounced again in '10.
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Give up your seat and go home, RINO.
And finally, what had them so upset 4 days ago?
A number of Republican National Committee members aren’t happy with Steele’s preference for the term “collectivist” when referring to the president and his supporters, the Washington Times reported.
It’s the latest conflict between Steele and some in the GOP who view him as too moderate. RNC leaders in 16 states have signed a petition seeking a special RNC meeting to resolve the dispute. Steele has twice refused, and some Republicans are turning up the heat.
RNC member James Bopp Jr. of Indiana has led the charge for using stronger language to characterize the Obama administration. This week he sent an email to the committee’s 168 members calling for a special meeting to be held next month
Does that mean Steele is roadkill? Hard to say. But I'm guessing that meeting happens a lot more quickly now, and becomes much more far reaching and serious. And it's not everyday the RNC creates a petition to resolve a dispute with it's leader.
I certainly hope Steele is around for a long time to come, but he's definitely going to be in the hotseat.