Jan 7, 2010 10:52am

Steele Lashes Out: Critics Should ‘Get a Life,’ ‘Shut Up,’ ‘Fire Me … or Get out of the Way’

ABC News’ Aaron Katersky and Rick Klein report: RNC Chairman Michael Steele is lashing out his critics, with a series of blunt messages for prominent Republicans who have blasted him over his leadership for the Republican Party.

“I tell them to get a life. That’s old Washington, that’s old ways, and I don’t represent that, and that kills them,” Steele told ABC News Radio in an interview today.

“I’m telling them and I’m looking them in the eye and say I’ve had enough of it. If you don’t want me in the job, fire me. But until then, shut up. Get with the program or get out of the way.”

Steele was responding to a series of reports — most recently in today’s Washington Times — where prominent GOP operatives and fund-raisers have criticized Steele for seeming to focus more on his own image (and pocketbook) rather than the good of the party.

Aaron Katersky's full interview with the RNC chair can be viewed HERE.

Responded Steele: “Some of my prior chairmen who are running their mouths right now — how many farm teams did you build as chairman?”

“All I’m saying is cut it out. If we have party differences that are inside the party, let’s deal with them inside the party. You don’t see the Democrats running around trying to beat up their national chairman or embarrass him.”

In his first year as GOP chairman Steele said he would give himself a grade of a “solid B.” He credits himself with raising $80 million, paying off senatorial and congressional committee debt, infusing state parties with money, creating a new Web presence, and winning governor’s races in New Jersey and Virginia.

 “A B is not bad; I can do better,” he said.

Steele is promoting a new book, “Right Now: A 12-Step Program for Defeating the Obama Agenda.” He will be a guest on ABC’s “Top Line” Friday, live at noon ET on ABCNews.com and ABC NewsNOW.

User Comments

When you really pay attention to what is going on you see a Party that is slowly but surely tearing itself apart. And yet they still point towards this fall and 2012 as if they will return to power. LOL From where I sit I think they will be lucky to still be standing. But that is what happens when you “build your platform” on fear, negativity, conspiracy theories and obstruction. And when you won’t let yourself approach the problems of “today” with enlightened, relevant (not “past”) solutions and strategies. The constituencies that they have “dumbed down” to are slowly but surely destroying them. It looks good on them.

Posted by: CND FOX | January 7, 2010, 11:12 am 11:12 am

Steele is saying it like it is. Just as Palin is. The dems are on damage control and the problem with that is it is to late. The dems slammed the last administration for less than what Obama has done and created. Obama eased our security and now the payment is due for it. Wake up America and see the socialist in office.

Posted by: Jim Rod | January 7, 2010, 11:27 am 11:27 am

Mr. Steele proves himself incapable of leading every time he opens his mouth. He was on FOX the other day with Hannity or O’Reiley trying to sell his book, while expressing complete doubt that the RNC and the Republican party is capable of righting itself. He is in way over his head, and should step down! The sooner the better, Mr. Steele.

Posted by: ndanielson | January 7, 2010, 11:39 am 11:39 am

Nothing more or less than standard political party infighting. May kill the party, may make it come out stronger – at the end of the day what matters are the candidates the party can put up for election.

Posted by: jhw539 | January 7, 2010, 11:42 am 11:42 am

Mr. Steele you have not been in long and you can’t take criticism. Wow, what thin skin. Do you remember that we trained the flyers who took over the plane on 9/11 right here in the USA and they were from another country and paid with cash. No blame placed on the administration because it is tough to catch everything. Same for president Obama. It is tough to catch everything. It was not Bush’s fault on 9/11 even though things were ignored nor is it Obama’s fault. You are just trying to make him look weak. However, silently and with no fanfare, he is getting many leaders of the taliban in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Yemen with those drone attacks and they are not happy about it. Seems to me he is on top of it and maybe he needs to announce this more often but he does things quietly. That is his way, just like the pirate takeover. Quietly and asking for no praise.

Posted by: talmag | January 7, 2010, 11:43 am 11:43 am

Dude a B, not bad. Obama gave himself a B+. Pretty elevated grades if you ask me. It takes someone honest to give themselves a reasonable accessment. Should ask Ron Paul or a Dennis Kucinich.

Posted by: Huh | January 7, 2010, 11:44 am 11:44 am

It’s as if Steele is desperate to become what critics thought Howard Dean would be, but wasn’t: a blowhard whose stream of consciousness comments only succeed at unmasking his professional insecurity and personal instability. In other words, he draws attention to himself like an impending train wreck. Hard to see how that helps win elections for Republicans. For the record, I think Howard Dean did a good job at the DNC. Michael Steele, not so much.

Posted by: JustSayin | January 7, 2010, 11:54 am 11:54 am

Nothing wrong with Steele, the old farts in the party are responsible for the mess we are in. They should have nothing to say about anyone. The simple fact is we all be better off if these old men left the party.

Posted by: a citizen | January 7, 2010, 12:05 pm 12:05 pm

i beleave in conservative principals, but as i did my own research i have found that the every people who preach conservative
principles are the same ones who grew the national debt and also made government bigger.
we always agree when someone is saving us money, but they know they cant do it, they are the real ones who is putting this debt on the backs
of ourself our children and generations to come
heres how they voted to raise our national debt by year
SENATE VOTE GOP VOTE YES: 02-07 gregg, mcconell, hatch, lugar,snow,collins,grassley 02 armey in the house 02-06 bunning, 03-07 shelby 03-06 mccain, graham 06 demint, isakson
DEM VOTE YES 02 dodd, lieberman, biden,schummer, kennedy03-04 breaux 03 miller 06 specter 07 rockefeller,spector,kennedy,levin,reid,feingold,casey,baucus,webb,wyden
GOP VOTE NO 03-07 ensign 06 coburn DEM VOTE NO 02-06 clinton,reid 03-06 biden, dodd, schumer, 06 obama
presidents debt when they left office carter 700 bill regan 3.75 trillion bush sr. 5.6 trillion clinton 5 trillion bush jr. 10.7 trillion
(does not included part of budget this this it goes from sept 08 to sept 09 which is about 1 trillion more)
maybe steele sees this and cant keep up
all the b.s. both sides of the aisle
and start making his paty accountable

Posted by: NEWGOLDIE | January 7, 2010, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm

Mr. Steele, be very careful about what you ask for…..
As I stated yesterday on another post, Mr. Steele is on is way OUT as the RNC Chairman. His problems are to LARGE for the party to dismiss:
1. His mouth and the idiotic things that he says
2. His inability to manage money
3. Periodically assuming that the RNC is about HIM
4. Lack of confidence in the party’s ability to LEAD and take over politically
5. He wants to join the TEA PARTY political party and very soon the Republican party will let him.
I don’t give him another 30 days……….he should start packing up is personal belongings and HIT THE ROAD!
I honestly feel sorry for the guy………….

Posted by: apnev | January 7, 2010, 12:24 pm 12:24 pm

The problem with Steele is that he thought he would be accepted. What he failed to realize is that the majority of racists in the party is on a rampage because of Obama’s election. So many of the politicians they keep calling corrupt are getting smacked because of their association with Obama. To them people shouldn’t even accept invitation to the White House because of who the occupants are.
Maybe he’s starting to grow a pair and realizing that just opposed to Obama is gonna cut it. He has to full throttle on destroying Obama. It is true the racists are not the majority in the country, but they have great influence on the middle because of ethnicity. I don’t see how the Democrats will not get clobbered unless minorities and young people step up to the plate. Even if the economy is doing greatly better than last year it will not stop these people from voting the Democrats out. I’d say to all of you independents to be careful of being influenced by evil agendas! You have to be able to make the different between those who have genuine grievances against Obama and those who will not stop at anything until he’s even dead.

Posted by: David | January 7, 2010, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm

First of all, Steele is just mad because maybe he just realized the GOP was using him as a pawn because they got their tails whipped in elections. They just wanted a black conservative out front, thinking that would bring people to a party that is tired w/ old ideals. So there’s no need to get all upset now Mr. Steele because you asked for it. Secondly, the only reason Virginia has a republican governor is because the democratic nominee did not campaign until 3 weeks after the republicans started. I dont think VA will turn back red on election day because more dems will come out for presidential elections. Even I didnt’ vote in the Governors race because I didn’t care for each candidate and feel they both are going to ruin this already boring state. They need to bring some life to VA but GOPers are only interested in making people live like they are in the 1920′s. I believe VA will be blue next presidential election and Mr. Steele needs to be quiet because he simply asked for it. And he need not be so sensitive because all he does is get on TV and critize the president w/ no real solutions.

Posted by: Loveme1Ace | January 7, 2010, 12:37 pm 12:37 pm

“No blame placed on the administration because it is tough to catch everything”
Unless you care to mention the left’s accusation that Bush planned the entire attack?
How convenient truth suddenly becomes when your guy fails.

Posted by: Don L | January 7, 2010, 12:40 pm 12:40 pm

The problem isn’t Mr. Steeles color, it is his politics. He said he would be out with the tea partiers if he didn’t have this job. Well what we tea partiers are asking is why don’t you support those conservatives and tell the RINOs to continue their slide to the left and join the Dems as ‘conservative dems’. We voted for Bush because he said he was a conservative and he was dem lite. We voted for his daddy and he was dem lite and after Clinton and now The Obama we American Citizens have had our belly full of all you Lucifarians who are not content to destroy the economy but our entire educational and sociatal structures. Dump or get off the pot!

Posted by: Gazinya | January 7, 2010, 12:57 pm 12:57 pm

The tattered republican party is still going to crush the socialist donkeys in 2010 and 2012. Sarah Palin will be the next president, obama will be booted back to his corrupt homeland, Chicago, and conservatives will take hold of the republican party once again. Ronald Reagan would be so proud!

Posted by: Dave | January 7, 2010, 1:05 pm 1:05 pm

The only reason liberals flatter themselves with the notion that thier moth-ball ideas are “today” is that they are ignorant of history. Take a class, libs.

Posted by: nan | January 7, 2010, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm

Sounds like they are almost in as much trouble as the dems with their inside fighting. No maybe not when Pelosi dissed Obama yesterday that is as bad as it gets. Most people would be fired for disrespecting their boss publicly. But she was right all his promises but is keeping none.

Posted by: Lester | January 7, 2010, 1:14 pm 1:14 pm

There is no doubt the GOP played the Race card by Putting Steele in Charge – At the Convention Last year The Minority Percentage was about 2%- The Party of No has tried ( By putting Steele in Charge) to appear to be the “all Inclusive Party”– They are Not–Just as they Cry for Fiscal Responsibility Till their elected!!! They are the last Vestiges of The Southern Bigoted Obstructionists– Party above Country- Rar for Corporate Profit — They Cry against Big Govt. but are in the Pocket of Big Oil/Defense/Pharmaceuticals etc. They never saw a war they didn’t like– Yes the Dems are Spendocrats also — but at least they Spend a good portion domestically!!!

Posted by: brian | January 7, 2010, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm

brian
The GOP “played the race card”??? Can we take a look at how many times McCain/Palin mentioned that barry was black during the campaign? Zero! Not once!
Barrack, on the other hand, mentioned his blackness dozens of times. This behavior is very typical- he is a liberal, and aaallll liberals are fixated on race. They love to tell people that America is a racist, bigoted, country and ONLY through their help can minorities thrive. This is soley the reason why the black community has been destroyed by welfare.
Liberals insist on calling people latinos, african-Americans, hispanics, etc, whereas conservatives like to call everyone simply “Americans”.
Remember when obama gave us his sermon on race relations, after it was revealed that he had spent 20 years listening to Rev Racist?
That sure made sense… he gets caught hanging around with one of the biggest racists around and he tells the rest of us how to be tolerant??
How you and others bought into his two-faced rhetoric still baffles me to this day.

Posted by: Dave | January 7, 2010, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm

Dave…Oh, I get it! You are being facetious aren’t you (your 1:05 post)? If not the only relevant thing I can do is LOL…LOL…LOL

Posted by: CND FOX | January 7, 2010, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm

Is he JOKING?!!
The clip of Steele saying in a Hannity interview that “the GOP is not ready to lead” will be used in countless DNC ads. It is being echoed in this comment section. He gave the Democrats their talking points.
This was after calling his donors “Nazis”, and he wonders why donations are down? Is he even trying to help Scott Brow run for Ted Kennedy’s old seat? He sure wasted enough money on Dede Scozzafava who then dropped out and endorsed Bill Owens who then gave Pelosi her healthcare vote.
FIRE HIM

Posted by: Possum Dearie | January 7, 2010, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm

“Ronald Reagan would be so proud!”
Of what? That he wasn’t the emptiest, most corrupt Republican politician since George Wallace?
Reagan increased the debt 500%, made thousands of mentally ill people homeless to give more money to the rich, was a former labor leader who cynically and maliciously destroyed the air traffic controllers’ union for political gain, stayed safe in World War II by making propaganda films in California and then later lied about his army career by reciting movie plots as if they were real and placing himself in them, had his staff and family lie to the American public during his second administration by covering up the onset of Alzheimer’s, violated the Constitution with Iran-Contra, which was far worse than Watergate, just for starters.
Yeah, St. Ronnie is a great role model, but only for cynical, hypocritical, Constitution-destroying Republicans who lie for fun and profit. I guess you’re right, Palin is Reagan’s heir apparent.
What makes the rest of America laugh at “tea partiers” is that 3 months after Obama took office, on April 15, before he did a thing, they were out hysterically protesting and screaming, “I want my country back!” and blaming him for all of Bush’s screw-ups, like the huge debt and the economic meltdown.
You don’t know what socialism is, you refuse to see what a hypocrite and a liar Palin is, you deny the pain and havoc “conservative values” have brought to the economy and the world. All you know is you oppose Democrats because they’re “the left,” and because Hannity tells you they’re bad, and you’re good. But you couldn’t articulate why or how, without regurgitating Hannity’s or Palin’s words, could you?
And I can bet you’re going to reply to me with a variant of, “Stop drinking the Obama Kool-Aid,” or “More Democrat propaganda from a lib typing from her mom’s basement,” or “Anothet lib funded by Soros at MoveOn.org,” or “Gee, why do libs fear Sarah so much, tee hee,” spelled incorrectly, of course, because education is an elitist socialist Marxist commie fascist plot by East Coast radical liberal homosexuals out to take away your freedoms and ruin traditional marriage and destroy Christianity and the War on Christmas and an attack on white America, hatred of real Americans, hard-working Americans, flyover country, we’re going to take your guns, etc. & etc. Also too.

Posted by: Katie | January 7, 2010, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm

Just another example of how dirty the GOP is. The can’t even support their own people who might give them change for the better good. They’d rather suck than change. Not that I’m defending Michael Steele, I still think he’s a joke.

Posted by: justayreal74 | January 7, 2010, 2:26 pm 2:26 pm

Now back to the story….The “token” finally has “maybe” realized that the rich- bald-white-haired men that is REALLY running it on the Republican side gave him his “spot” because he was Black. They give a HOOT about you. To them, you are no more than a “workhorse” designed to appeal and “use” African-Americans.. just as Palin was used to appeal and “use” the women, unestimating the intelligence of All! (No one, including his father has ever “gave” the Prez anything!) Now you should know that they care as little about you as the President…hahahahahahahahaha!
We don’t LIKE you STEELE!!!…you’re a “TOKEN” and don’t even know it. Now “bow” to Rush, Murdock, Beck and the rest of the mongolaid idiots in that party.

Posted by: sara | January 7, 2010, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm

I agree w/ brian that the conservs played the race card. They thought bringing in a black leader like Obama would bring them more support but it doesn’t work that way. Instead of you trying to disguise your party for what it really is (oppressors) you should try changing some of it’s ideals because they are old! No one really respects the GOP but the GOP… and thats sad! All they can do now is complain because they didn’t do ANYTHING while President “Bust” was in office…

Posted by: Loveme1Ace | January 7, 2010, 2:32 pm 2:32 pm

Steele is living in illusions….YOU LIVE IN AMERICA!!!!! RACIST DIVISIVE AND ANGRY!

Posted by: sara | January 7, 2010, 2:32 pm 2:32 pm

But Dave, the GOP did try to implore that the current President was a radical Muslim.. thats also playing the race card to make other americans live in fear instead of the future..

Posted by: Loveme1Ace | January 7, 2010, 2:33 pm 2:33 pm

2010 is the last hope for the Republican Party.
There is no one central person who stands out in the Republican Party. They need a spokesman who will return to conservative ways and be bold in their statements.
WHere is that person.

Posted by: geneo | January 7, 2010, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm

Are Republican’s willing to change with the times? Is there a way that they can keep their beliefs without lyin’ and cheatin’ and not caring who they step on to complete the lying and cheatin’?

Posted by: justayreal74 | January 7, 2010, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm

Everyone keeps saying “conservatives need to get back to their principles” I dont get why people are ignoring the bigger fact.. the conservative principles are exclusive and out of date. They dont care about the struggling Americans, the non existance anymore of the middle class, or about how much money they spent before. Then to try to hire a black dude so you can get more votes is stupid. The rhetoric is still the same.. oppressive and hate filled. No one has the time to keep explaining to the GOP how stupid they look and simple they sound.. they will learn

Posted by: Loveme1Ace | January 7, 2010, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm

I don’t think they’ll ever learn. It’s like talking to a brick wall.

Posted by: justayreal74 | January 7, 2010, 2:59 pm 2:59 pm

“If you don’t want me in the job, fire me. But until then, shut up. Get with the program or get out of the way.”
A) Fire Him
B) Shut up, get with the program
C) Shut up, get out of the way
I think I’ll go with option A… the others involve me shutting up as though my opinion doesn’t matter; and that just doesn’t seem respectful.
So after some serious consideration; I have to pick “fire him”.
Would anyone rather shut up and fall in line with a leader who is losing funds and will brook no dissent from his failing plans? Anyone? Bueller?

Posted by: Ertdfg | January 7, 2010, 2:59 pm 2:59 pm

What are the consertive principles? I’ll have to google that…

Posted by: justayreal74 | January 7, 2010, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm

And I’m also getting tired of hearing about Sarah Palin.. Sarah Palin is a flop at best. She’s not governor material, VP material, any kind of material. What can Sarah palin’s wack self do that no one else can? Mess up words and state sentences that no one w/ common sense can understand? WE dont have time to bring her up to speed on things she should already know ie grammar. If people want to place their trust in a fool, then thats on them. Instead of listening to what these people say on the tv and taking their word for it, be a person and research the issues! Then make an informed decision for yourself. I dont get why these folks keep saying that Sarah Palin is going to be President in 2012… I hope she does run so I can laugh the whole campaign while she tries to avoid questions and blame it on the “liberal media”. lol Aren’t we tired of having idiots run our country? What they need to concentrate on is these schools and how these kids aren’t learning anything.. because I get tired of trying to decipher what these dummies meant because they dont know correct grammar.

Posted by: Loveme1Ace | January 7, 2010, 3:02 pm 3:02 pm

Loveme1Ace
Please show me some examples of the “GOP playing the race card”, or “implying that he was a radical muslim”. I’m asking for prominent politicians, ace, not random people at rallies.
On the other hand, there are HUNDREDS of liberal loons who love to throw race around. That is how they become successful- they all claim that “America is run by greedy rich white folk” in the words of barracks 20 year pastor, and then they all become wealthy off of people’s ignorance.
Perfect examples of limousine liberals are Bill clinton, pelosi, obama, kennedy, dodd, edwards, dean, gore, kerry.
All of those listed above have said or implied that republicans don’t like black people simply because we expect everyone to work for a living, and not cash in off some idiodic white guilt over something that was abolished 150 years ago.
I have never said that barrack was a radical muslim, but i have said many times that he is a radical. This is apparent by his racist comments, via Dreams From My Deadbeat Father “I had a strong animosity towards my mother’s race” and “white folks greed runs a world in need”.
Also, his radicalism is reinforced by his terrorist friend, his racist pastor, his angry wife, his “association” with ACORN, and all of his communist appointees to czar positions.
P.S. Steele is a disaster who needs to be fired.

Posted by: Dave | January 7, 2010, 3:10 pm 3:10 pm

Ace
Sarah Palin, a flop? Wasn’t she the one who out-debated a 35 year-sitting senator, in front of 70 million people, when she was just a 2 year governor?
Isn’t she the one with the # selling book of 2009?
Isn’t she the one who can actually say something other then “uuhhh, uuhhhn uuummm” when her teleprompter malfunctions, as proven by her RNC speech? Her teleprompter stuttered and she kept going that nite, without missing a beat. If barrack’s teleprompter had done that in denver during his DNC speech, he would not be president right now.
Isn’t Palin the one who has survived the MOST VISCOUS attacks launched against a politician in my lifetime, while the president has enjoyed the most fawning covering of any president in my lifetime?
Yet somehow, her #’s are rising and barrack’s are falling- that is what is hilarious!
2010 and 2012 are coming and real change is sure to follow!

Posted by: Dave | January 7, 2010, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm

Dave,
lets get real. First I never directly implicated that YOU WERE the only one who did those things during the election. No matter how much copy you write, it is the truth that people tried to use these things as a way to deter others for voting freely for whom they want to vote. If he was saying “I’m not a muslim” then why did every campaign stop McShame stopped on did some person say “Obama’s a radical muslim” .. I’m not buying that. As far as Mr. Steele goes, I’m not mad at him. He can stay or leave doesn’t really matter to me.But to ignore the fact that the GOP used him to get more votes is denial honey. They never thought of having a black man lead the RNC but now all of a sudden he was good to go because GOP wanted to catch up w/ the rest of the world and actually invite people of minority to do something. (& I believe President Obama did the best with delegating jobs to all types of folks, not just white americans” They will continue to lose and if you support them, then you need to open your eyes to a new day and say it for what it is– they tried to use him for his color and since it didn’t work as well as they thought it should (which I doubt anyone can do better) they want to fire him. But dont sit here and act like they didn’t use him because they clearly did and now for him being the fool he’s gonna have to deal!

Posted by: Loveme1Ace | January 7, 2010, 3:21 pm 3:21 pm

I have never said that barrack was a radical muslim, but i have said many times that he is a radical. This is apparent by his racist comments, via Dreams From My Deadbeat Father “I had a strong animosity towards my mother’s race” and “white folks greed runs a world in need”.
** and also dave black people have been resenting white people for years because of the past. It doesn’t mean they are terriorist. I think the tone in your language says it all. You’re looking for someone to blame for issues that started before President Obama starting running for President. I think we can all say he’s not a radicial muslim at this point, but it just shows what lengths some people will go just so they can discredit someone and their family. To me, everything you said is like the campaign dialogue we heard for a year. You’re not saying anything new or useful.

Posted by: Loveme1Ace | January 7, 2010, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm

I like this guy Steele. The Republican party is changing, whether it likes it or not, and I think some people are maybe becoming obsolete LOL can’t wait to see how the new Republican party turns out, I never much cared for the old one but the Dems have DEFINITELY taken a turn for the worse!

Posted by: just me | January 7, 2010, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm

Dave,
Didn’t sarah palin also quit her job?? No one likes quitters honey~ just as simple as that. Plus, she’s dumb lol I’m sorry but the stuff that comes out of her mouth is atrocious~ and also I dont think she’s good for the conservative movement dealing w/ corruption charges and not teaching sex ed in schools when her under 18 daughter just had a baby. Even though I feel that way, I dont come on here and say I believe Sarah Palin is a dictator who quit her job because she couldn’t handle it and is a bad mother because she let her daugher have premartial sex in her own house. But instead of using facts, all you’ve done today is call our President a radical. Get over it! & if you feel you can do a better job, then do it.. but dont quit like sarah because I’m going to have to hackle you too! lol

Posted by: Loveme1Ace | January 7, 2010, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm

I’m no fan of Steele, but I must say that he’s being set up big time by the Republican Party establishment. This does not bode well for them long term. It’s perceived by most swing voters and independents as a racist, inflexible, and narrow party, full of purist ideology and checklists. If the Democrats were more disciplined and better at governing, the Republican Party would be toast, but as it is, the Democrats are their own worst enemies.

Posted by: Laura Brown | January 7, 2010, 3:54 pm 3:54 pm

Ace
The reality is that the democrats are the party of the 4 S’s….. slavery, secession, segregation and now socialism.
MLK was a republican and so was his father. It wasn’t until liberal dems of the 60′s realizing that they could buy black people’s votes through affirmative action and welfare did dems receive the black vote.
These entitlements shoved down the throat of the black community have COMPLETELY led to its demise.
Do you know that during the 1950′s, a time when blacks couldn’t go to certain schools, restaurants, parks, etc, somehow blacks out of wedlock birthrates, home ownership, incarceration #’s were almost equal to whites?
But somehow in 2010, a time when a black man can become president, their #’s compared to whites in all of those categories have PLUMMETTED. What changed—liberal entitlements and guilt manifested through welfare/affirmative action.
(In 1955, out of wedlock birthrates for whites/blacks were about 18-25%, now blacks are about 85% and whites are at 40%).
Liberals have destroyed incentive, erased the need for black fathers, and have insisted that the only way to correct the problem that they have created is through MORE distribution of wealth.

Posted by: Dave | January 7, 2010, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm

Posted by: Katie | Jan 7, 2010 1:55:18 PM
Beautiful post – Katie!!!!

Posted by: Melanie | January 7, 2010, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm

I think we can all agree Democrat or Republican what Steele represents to the Republican party and that he’s a joke.

Posted by: justayreal74 | January 7, 2010, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm

I hope the GOP keep Steele, and for that matter Palin. I’m all for the destruction of the current GOP.

Posted by: Lincoln | January 7, 2010, 6:07 pm 6:07 pm

What’s worse than an idiot?
An arrogant idiot.
Michael Steele went on national TV and told the world the GOP is NOT ready to lead. For that he got blowback.
And this somehow surprises him? Man is a fool.
FIRE HIM and put Mitt Romney or Sarah Palin in the spot.

Posted by: Bill Mitchell | January 7, 2010, 7:43 pm 7:43 pm

FIRE HIM and put Mitt Romney or Sarah Palin in the spot.
Posted by: Bill Mitchell | Jan 7, 2010 7:43:22 PM
________________________________________
Are you serious? What makes them any better???? If anything that’s even worse. Yes Michael still is a Republican puppet but to say put Mitt or Sarah in is an insult, even for him.

Posted by: justayreal74 | January 7, 2010, 7:49 pm 7:49 pm

Such hateful democratic comments.

Posted by: jonny | January 7, 2010, 9:46 pm 9:46 pm

You gotta love the “conservatives” here. They are still as deluded now as they were when they happily sat back and watched this country decline under the corporate bought Republican congress.
Of course its the Democrats fault. Of course it is.

Posted by: William W. | January 7, 2010, 10:10 pm 10:10 pm

Michael Steele is nothing more or less than a stereotypical GOPer: pompous, arrogant, judgmental and nothing to offer the people but what “they’re” (Democrats)doing wrong.
Mr. Steele would do well to resign his position and disappear from the public eye and ear. He, and those of his ilk who have nothing constructive to say, are of no value to society.

Posted by: saftgek | January 7, 2010, 11:08 pm 11:08 pm

Believe me, if I had the influence you’d be looking for work like the rest of us.

Posted by: Ruler4You | January 8, 2010, 4:22 am 4:22 am

Steele will be out before too long, unless he wraps himself around the ultra conservative right. They are the loudest and most infuential voice in the republican party because they are the ones feeding into the racism, bigotry, and division, which is alive and well in the good ole USA, and they know it. They really have nothing to offer the American people other than hate

Posted by: chuck | January 8, 2010, 8:57 am 8:57 am

Mr. Steele, why did you take a whole year to come to the reality that the old white guys who run the Republican Party, would accept you as the face of their historically racist organization?
”How you like you, now?” Remember how you taunted the new president with similar words just one year ago? Feels good to realize that you are a tool to those guys. They hate your guts.

Posted by: Holly | January 8, 2010, 10:14 am 10:14 am

As a contributing memeber of the RNC since 2001, I was taken aback when I learned that Steele had spent $19,000 refurbishing his office. After the Hannity interview where he said the GOP would not take back the congress in 2010, I have had enough. I sent back my RNC card and will no longer contribute to the RNC, but instead will give to candidates directly.

Posted by: Pittsburgh Patriot | January 8, 2010, 10:34 am 10:34 am

ohhhhh Mr.Steele, you done did it now. Everybody stay tuned an watch how the Republicians will turn on this black man like a dog for speaking his mind…and lets not sugar coat this skin color will have everything to do with it, its not coincedence most African Americans or Democrats(90%)

Posted by: chunky | January 8, 2010, 11:10 am 11:10 am

It’s really time for the new Tea Party, or any other party, than the GOP or the Dems, both of which are serving their own political interests, and not the people.
Time for the people to take back the government, from the dictators.

Posted by: Rick McDaniel | January 8, 2010, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm

It is good that the GOP is in disarray. I pray that it continue to break into various factions like the Tea Part idiots, & continue this way for another 10 years. The GOP has NEVER done anything TANGIBLE for the middle-class. All it has done is DUMB DOWN its middle-class & the lower class supporters, then REWARDED the RICH & the SUPER RICH and finally CASTRATED THE MEMBERS of THE US MAIN STREAM MEDIA (MSM). The 99% majority of the MSM has become a GOP ECHO CHAMBER at best. Only when the DUMB DOWNs in America find out that they have lost everything during the GOP administrations at the federal level & the state levels, then America will become the real economic super power it was once was.
GOD save America.
His Highness The American Voter

Posted by: His Highness The American Voter | January 8, 2010, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm

The republican party has more to fear than Steele, the party has dug its own grave by attempting a “big tent” approach.
World news has a reasonably good portrayal of the TEA Party rebellion which is sweeping the nation. republicans fear a third party would hurt their efforts so I invite republicans to abandon the party and join the TEA Party or to make the TEA Party platform its own and encompass the TEA PARTY.
Taxed Enough Already is our cry and we have had enough of OBAMA/GIBBS/REID/PELOSI and we are ready to return to the foundation of America.

Posted by: Ed Taylor | January 8, 2010, 12:52 pm 12:52 pm

Dave,
you and I know that the democratic party is no longer the party of segregation and slavery. The Republicans have taken it’s place. In this day in age, it’s still sad that college football coaches are already hiring successors instead of going through the interview process and maybe having a minority candidate actually interview for these jobs as well. I dont think thats really fair, but as we all know, minorities have had more to fight through than anyone else. First it was the indians, blacks, mexicans, and now muslims. But I dont see the republican party embracing a new America. I see them stuck in their old ways. So it may have been the party of opportunity before, however, some how they have lost their way. As far as minorities and affirmative action, we all know that we can’t get rid of affirmative action because people cannot be trusted. The banks can’t be trusted, these businesses can’t be trusted, and a lot of these companies begging for money can’t be trusted as well. America has a history that you can’t ignore because it’s still present in today’s society. As you talk about the integration of the 1950′s, my mother lived a county over from Prince Edward county, where she had to be bused to a different school because she was black and it was much farther away. SO as I look in my mother’s eyes everyday and see her accomplishments even though she was not always treated equally, her chances were given because someone finally had to step in and make a rule to give everyone a chance. People who speak as you do can’t be trusted because everything is about you. Your words hold greed content and I can see through your excuses. The truth hurts Dave and reality is– The opportunity is not fair to everyone so dont try to deny it.

Posted by: Loveme1Ace | January 8, 2010, 2:22 pm 2:22 pm

We Really Need to Get John Corsi + Sara Palin on the 2012 Ticket. I was Totally Sold on Michelle Bachmann + Sarah Palin. But it Seems Like Al Quist + Michelle Bachmann Will Take Us All of the Way to the White House Just Based On Experience + Level Headed Thinking.
The “GO-GETTEM” Attitude of Palin & Corsi will Win More Votes Than Uncle Michael Steele can Muster.
We Have Time, But There is a Lot to Do in Our Own Candidate Building AREA. FOX + RUSH + HANNITY + BECK are Doing SUCH a STELLAR Job at Character Assassination + that We Should Just Let Them Have Full REIN. Look at What they Did for John McCain + Sarah Palin in the 2008 Election. Elephants are Not Donkeys You Know!

Posted by: BigD GottaGoTell It, Minnesota | January 8, 2010, 2:42 pm 2:42 pm

Like it or not, there is a certain possibility that 2010 and 2012 may bring back a GOP political majority swept into those Congresional Offices; perhaps also the Presidency.
Should THAT happen, then The Big Question is: Will the GOP majority actually shift over to being Constitutionally conservative while holding those offices?
Or, will there still be a significant number of RINOs and/or RINO political thinking process? If so, then THAT would eventually kill-off the GOP for sure. Enter the Constitution Party? The Taxed Enough Already Party? Should be interesting, indeed!

Posted by: JuanPablo | January 8, 2010, 11:29 pm 11:29 pm

Steel clearly says “look HIM in the eye” no “them” so WHO IS HIM? THIS IS THE STORY.

Posted by: Julia | January 10, 2010, 7:38 pm 7:38 pm

Thank you Michael!
I’m not a Republican but from now on i will support Michael.

Posted by: fojeba | January 11, 2010, 10:23 am 10:23 am

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