It’s on: Gingrich versus Michael Steele for RNC chair
posted at 6:30 pm on November 10, 2008 by Allahpundit
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
A follow-up to Ed’s post from earlier today: The Washington Times spies a gathering storm.
Republicans close to each man say they are intent on ousting Mike Duncan when his tenure ends in January and to insert themselves to articulate a counter-agenda to President-elect Barack Obama´s administration.
A bevy of backers for each man, neither of whom is an RNC member, have been burning up the phone lines and firing off e-mails as they try to sway the 168 RNC members in the wake of the second consecutive drubbing of Republicans at the polls.
“The Republican National Committee has to ask itself if it wants someone who has successfully led a revolution,” Randy Evans, Gingrich confidante and personal attorney based in Atlanta, told The Washington Times on Monday…
“Steele is a good guy,” Mr. Gingrich said in an e-mail response to The Washington Times. “There are a number of good guys.”
I’m partial to Newt just because he seems at times to be the only man left in the party with any new policy ideas, but you can’t go wrong either way.
You know what this calls for. Exit question: Is it worth trusting the Wash Times this time when they teased us with a similar story about a Steele chairmanship bid that went nowhere two years ago?
Update: None of the above, says Huck, who’s evidently going the Obama-esque crony route.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 3 ... 5 Next »
Steele!
tuffy on November 10, 2008 at 6:32 PM
Remember how dissappointed we were with our choices for president. Where were the giants during the election. I would take either of these guys in a minute.
ttime500 on November 10, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Newt has my vote for the top spot. Putting Steele in would make us look like a johnny-come-lately (with the whole Obama making history blah blah blah).
Also, I think Steele would be good in the Vice Chair spot so that he can learn from Newt how to kick Dem teeth in.
Punchenko on November 10, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Huck can go get struck.
Pompass little short man syndrom is getting on my freaking nerves. Go eat a subway sandwich.. will you Huck.
upinak on November 10, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Depends on if Newt continues his global warming campaign
brak on November 10, 2008 at 6:33 PM
I think it would be a VERY powerful statement to have Steele in there as RNC chairman. I think I would support Michael. Either would be great choices though.
ousoonerfan15 on November 10, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Steele hasn’t shown me much as an ideas man or a management executive type. He is great on TV though and a good face for the party who can communicate well, I just think Newt would be better.
commodore on November 10, 2008 at 6:34 PM
What if they co-chaired the party?
In Italian ice terms: would that be considered mullato gelato?
mylegsareswollen on November 10, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Gingrich supporters must all be racists!
Gregor on November 10, 2008 at 6:35 PM
I agree, Allah — either would be good. Though I lean a little toward Steele.
Gina on November 10, 2008 at 6:35 PM
You’d need a triumverate or there’d be gridlock within your own party. Two people disagreeing is bad, anyways. You need a leader.
lorien1973 on November 10, 2008 at 6:36 PM
Steele for teh win!!1!11!one!1
fusionaddict on November 10, 2008 at 6:36 PM
Nope just tired of the old patterns of standing their like a bird in the road and getting hit.
People are stupid and Steele hasn’t shown me anything I already haven’t seen on a grandscale.
upinak on November 10, 2008 at 6:36 PM
(GASP!!) *Changes vote to Steele out of guilt*
Punchenko on November 10, 2008 at 6:36 PM
I want to vote for Martin Eisenstadt.
CanadianGuy on November 10, 2008 at 6:37 PM
But then again.. I don’t remember Steele coming up with everyones new pet…
Drill Here, Drill Now!
upinak on November 10, 2008 at 6:37 PM
Either choice would be good, but we do need someone who can also reach out to minorities and show why our ways are best for their interests….
DL13 on November 10, 2008 at 6:37 PM
I go with Steele to challenge the media narrative rather than accept it and find a conservative solution to media promoted problems. Newt carries alot of the blame for our go wild on spending. He does not admit that. Were he to admit it and challenge the narrative then I would tilt toward him because I think Newt is a better tactician than Steele.
But what a one two punch. Steele to challenge the narrative and articulte conservative ideology. Newt at American Solutions to articulate conservative policy.
Theworldisnotenough on November 10, 2008 at 6:37 PM
This is a huge test for the GOP. Are you going to pretend the country is still in 1994 and that an entrenched, white guy who ended up being brought down in scandal and moral disgrace (even as he railed against Clinton and Lewinsky)? Or are you going to diversify your party. Send a signal to conservative people of color that they are represented in the party’s leadership. Or are you going to continue to get 30% of the Latino vote and 5% of the black vote and lose every election for the next 20 years?
DeathToMediaHacks on November 10, 2008 at 6:37 PM
I certainly won’t have any problem if Steele come out on top, but I do like your way of thinking in favor of Newt.
thirteen28 on November 10, 2008 at 6:37 PM
Can they be co-chairs? Both are excellent choices.
gophergirl on November 10, 2008 at 6:38 PM
You can’t go wrong either way…
Palinpuma on November 10, 2008 at 6:38 PM
I haven’t read very extensively on Newt’s global warming ideas but the gist I’ve gotten is that he believes that it’s inevitable that government is going to step in and “do something about it” so we might as well concede that “something is going to be done” and be part of shaping the “solution” into something that is pro-capitalism.
If this is true, and I hope it is, then I say more power to him. This tactic can steal the thunder of global warming alarmists by stealing the issue from them by proposing common sense pro-economy “solutions” to the “problem”.
gwelf on November 10, 2008 at 6:39 PM
Michael Steele is not a Titan compared to Newt.
Newton as been deeply involved in policy and agenda setting for two decades.
Elizabetty on November 10, 2008 at 6:39 PM
As long as Duncan leaves, we win with Newt or Steele.
Where is the humping robot?!
Right_of_Attila on November 10, 2008 at 6:39 PM
I’d go for Newt. Newt knows how to manufacture a conservative revolution against a charismatic buffoon.
Lehosh on November 10, 2008 at 6:40 PM
Steele would also make an awesome choice. Throw in Fred Thompson and we could have the Conservative Voltron leading the RNC.
gwelf on November 10, 2008 at 6:40 PM
But Steele is black and you know how we conservatives feel about them black folk.
Either one would be great, if the two could get together and form some kind of coalition. Or create two offices, Gingrich as the elder statesman, and Steele as the point man.
I has to be worked out where both have a say…if they don’t then the party is not unified.
right2bright on November 10, 2008 at 6:40 PM
Not going to matter anyway. We’re going to lose every election for the next 40 years as it is, after Obama and Acorn get done rigging the system.
Enjoying Minnesota yet?
Get used to it. It’s going to be a long 40 years.
Gregor on November 10, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Newt. He has the balls of steel.
Steele is too nice.
sheesh on November 10, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Steele could criticize Obama without being called a racist (from a former slave-owning state, yet).
We need consistent, constant, clear criticism when Obama goes wrong (which should be often).
Newt’s bipartisan sit-down with Nancy sounds like more McCain without the maverickness.
Wethal on November 10, 2008 at 6:42 PM
Newt = Bad cop.
Steele = Good cop (the media face)
Thompson = The cop that smacks you in the face and throws you to the ground.
Punchenko on November 10, 2008 at 6:42 PM
I would prefer Steele over Gingrich.. We have to show the libtards that we are too inclusive.. I fed up with that BS.. Newt is very articulate.
reshas1 on November 10, 2008 at 6:43 PM
I’d have to go with Steele. Newt has a lot of baggage even ten years later and has seemed too willing to go along with Democrats over the past few years. Steele is a fresh face and showed that he’ll stand up for conservatism when he ran for the Senate.
clearbluesky on November 10, 2008 at 6:43 PM
Newt needs to go out with McCain; they both had their chance to lead and they both blew it.
Michael Steele would be terrific and he’s done a great job as head of GOPAC.
Jenfidel on November 10, 2008 at 6:44 PM
Sounds like a way to go.
ThePrez on November 10, 2008 at 6:44 PM
I vote for Thompson. He’s the only guy with the balls to stand up and say exactly what needs to be said. Everyone else, including Newt and Steele, are too busy being politically correct.
Gregor on November 10, 2008 at 6:44 PM
And to add to this…
Newt is hated by the left, a big advantage.
Steele is hated and feared by the left…a big advantage.
Newt has a little baggage to contend with.
Steele isn’t as intellectual as Newt.
Man, I voted for Newt, but Steele would be stellar.
Like the constitution, we need several types to form a more perfect union of Republicans.
right2bright on November 10, 2008 at 6:44 PM
I liked Steele until he supported the ultra-liberal Republican Wayne Gilchrest (who has since been ousted — in a primary!)
Sorry, we need less people in our party who supports people just because they have an (R) by their name .. we need people who support conservatives.
Ian on November 10, 2008 at 6:45 PM
I think personally neither just because I want ol’ Fred in there. :P
But if I had a choice between the two… experience wise I’d go with Newt but Steele is such a great motivational speaker that could rally the base. Maybe co-chairs as some have said?
scrubbiedude on November 10, 2008 at 6:45 PM
Mike Steele….for sure.
[No reason why Newt and a few others, like Fred, can't hang around as an unofficial council of elders.]
But Steele at the RNC…works on all sorts of levels.
coldwarrior on November 10, 2008 at 6:45 PM
Heck, I’ll go one further: Steele for President.
Ryan Gandy on November 10, 2008 at 6:45 PM
Thompson doesn’t have the “fire”, he is a good closer, but not a good leader.
right2bright on November 10, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Steele.
Simply because he is so good at riffing on Obama in the Fox News Strategy Room.
jimmy the notable on November 10, 2008 at 6:46 PM
How conservative is Steele? What are his views on global warming? Me, I’m one of those single issue voters. If a man knows that AGW is a socialist scheme, and has the guts to say it, he can do no wrong by me.
We know where Newt stands on this one. Where does Steele stand? That’s the litmus test.
keep the change on November 10, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Steele is too nice. Oh, and Steele was a panderbear at the State of the Black Union which featured a lot of kooks. You Tube it. I think Calypso Louis was there — among other kooks.
Punchenko on November 10, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Newt.
It is a racial thing. The racists on the left (but I repat myself) are simply too brutal to African-American conservatives.
I like Michael Steele way too much to see him Thomasized.
__________
RJGatorEsq. on November 10, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Newt. But, to an outsider, Steele is a fresh face. We want to change our image for the better? Steele is our man.
VoxRobotica on November 10, 2008 at 6:47 PM
Newt has a lot of respect among conservatives, but he does lean toward the “neo” side of things. Michael Steele is solid on issues where virtually all conservative Republicans agree, AND is credible on the social issues as well, which will extend appeal to the base (which came too little, too late in this campaign). That he is also African-American will help alter the course of the so-called “conversation” on race, making it more about “content of character,” to quote a another African-American who used to vote Republican.
manwithblackhat on November 10, 2008 at 6:47 PM
We on the Right love Newt, we know what he is, what he stands for and what he can do. But he’s a lightning rod, he had to step down because of it. We need somebody young and electric, somebody who can get Cons to the polling booth, unlike McDole. Newt can do that but he also repels the Swing Voters. This election proves that we need the Right to win, we always win when we have a Con and lose when he have a moderate. That being said, we need somebody from the Right who can also bring in the Swingers. I vote for Steele.
Tony737 on November 10, 2008 at 6:47 PM
Meh. Neither man will rock the yacht. Just more champagne-and-shrimp cocktail parties for the elites, and more exasperation and porkbarrel for us.
TMK on November 10, 2008 at 6:47 PM
Isn’t Steele a member of the Republican Leadership Council??
Punchenko on November 10, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Did you watch Steele during Obama democratic acceptance speech? He was cutting and to the point. Please let it be Steele. You want ideas get Ryan from Wi. He has a plan common people can understand and that makes sense.
Gracelynn on November 10, 2008 at 6:48 PM
But be careful. Let’s not get this black conservative, Michael Steele, mixed up with Shelby Steele.
keep the change on November 10, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Steele can run for office. Gingrich can’t. Don’t waste Steele on the RNC.
Also, i really don’t want it to look like we put a black guy as the head of the RNC because Obama won, which it will TOTALLY look like.
muyoso on November 10, 2008 at 6:48 PM
My only concern with Steele is that his becoming the RNC chair so soon after Obama seizes power is that it gives the perception that the GOP message is “look people, we’ve got real black people too.”
The message of the GOP needs to be a return to traditional conservative values- everything McCain was not. That message would be drowned out by the racial politics that resulted in a terrorist-sympathizer racist to have a cult-like following.
highhopes on November 10, 2008 at 6:48 PM
I don’t think Michael Steele would sit on a couch with Pelosi and share the Global Warming love.
Steele all the way.
Someone please send a memo to Huckabee: Go away.
conservative pilgrim on November 10, 2008 at 6:49 PM
I think Newt — although not a fresh face — would signal a return to Conservative principles and a repudiation of the last eight years of “Compassionate Conservatism”.
Either way I want them both in leadership but with Newt in the top spot.
Punchenko on November 10, 2008 at 6:50 PM
I want a man of Steele to run the RNC.
Tim Burton on November 10, 2008 at 6:50 PM
I’d vote for Newt. It’s the ideal job for him and his personality, it might keep him from trying a quixotic run in 2012 (love him, but that would go nowhere), and if Steele got it the media would just derivisely dismiss it as tokenism.
scrounge on November 10, 2008 at 6:50 PM
People voting for Steele should beware. He’s a fresh face, etc. etc., but he’s also from Maryland and flirts with RINOism in the way typical of Northeast conservative officials.
Lehosh on November 10, 2008 at 6:50 PM
I’m ok with Newt if he never sits on a sofa with the SF witch again. Michael Steele is the greatest. Either or both.
dragondrop on November 10, 2008 at 6:51 PM
STEELE!!!!!!!!
grapeknutz on November 10, 2008 at 6:51 PM
I say Steele.
crosspatch on November 10, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Pandering to minorities isn’t going to work. It never works for conservatives because we cannot offer them the amount of loot they would get by voting Democratic.
If steele is the best guy for the job then make that argument, but ask ‘Aunt Jemima’(AKA Condoleezza Rice), or ‘Oreo’ (AKA Thomas Sowell) how well being a black conservative wins over the minority vote.
sharrukin on November 10, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Always liked Steele. Still do. Somebody needs to shut the Huck up.
ElectricPhase on November 10, 2008 at 6:52 PM
I’m OK with Newt if he sits with the SF witch. I’m OK with it because I know Newt carries a sharpened partisan GOP dagger with him. He has designs on those people. He is a clever, clever politician.
Gingrich: On the loveseat with Nancy today — in the Republican House majority tomorrow.
Punchenko on November 10, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Gotta go with Steele folks…I like both Newt and Steele and they are both bright but lets face it…we need some minority faces at the top to deflect the idiocy of the Obama worshipping crowd…
Both men are equal in terms of ability but we have to be saavy…I think it would be a brilliant coup to have Steele at the top…
Indeed, I would love to see Steele run for the Presidency in 2012 if so possible…
Albertanator on November 10, 2008 at 6:54 PM
I like both.
V15J on November 10, 2008 at 6:56 PM
@ Albertanator on November 10, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Putting a minority at the top right now would be so OBVIOUSLY pandering, and EVERYONE would know it. We would look even more white then we do now.
muyoso on November 10, 2008 at 6:57 PM
I think Newt is still the better plan. He’s got experience in getting Republicans elected. He also knows a conservative when he sees one.
Steele would be better in the Senate. He only lost his senate run because of the weenies in the RNC at the time.
- The Cat
MirCat on November 10, 2008 at 6:57 PM
P.S. What’s this we stuff?
MirCat on November 10, 2008 at 6:57 PM
Excuse me, but Steele is clearly the only one that has balls of Steele.
Or else Jesse Jackson has been snipping.
digitalintrigue on November 10, 2008 at 6:57 PM
People will chatter about this, but I am focusing on Steele’s ideas and fortitude in facing the Obama machine and liberal arm of the MSM. Can he do it? Does he want to? I don’t care about the color of his skin.
We need someone who is able to lead the Party, articulate our ideas and Conservative principles, and back good candidates, unlike the idiots who cut and run on Conservative candidates like Michelle Bachmann of MN in the last election. Newt has some great qualities, but it’s a new century and a new face would be good.
conservative pilgrim on November 10, 2008 at 6:58 PM
You mean real real black people…Steele = 100% black.
Conservatives could put a black [insert religion other than Christian] female midget in the White House and not get credit as a first. This shouldn’t matter.
selias on November 10, 2008 at 6:58 PM
A win or win situation!
beththebaker on November 10, 2008 at 6:58 PM
BSNBC Crank: Today the GOP picked Michael Steele to Chair the RNC. Howard, is this just the GOP playing me too with minority voters?
Howard: Oh yes. It is kind of pathetic watching the GOP trying to pander. The johnny-come-lately stuff isn’t doing them any favors and voters can see right through this.
BSNBC Crank: Chris Matthews said the same thing, that, uh, the GOP has a diversity problem and that…
Howard: I agree! They do! They lost across the board with minorities and this is just another gimmick to try and appeal to a demographic they are clearly not winning!
BSNBC Crank: Charles, as an African-American, how do you feel about this?
Charles: Insulted. Insulted that the GOP thinks I will vote for them just because they put a black man in charge on their party. Hey, guess what, GOP — the Democrats have a black man IN THE WHITE HOUSE!
– That would be the narrative, folks.
Punchenko on November 10, 2008 at 7:00 PM
Steele, definitely.
Philly on November 10, 2008 at 7:00 PM
1) I don’t see much evidence that they are equal in terms of saavy or ability. Newts been engineering policy for 20 years.
2) A coup? You don’t think it would look at all like a “paint by numbers”/”Democrats put up a black guy, it must work” kind of move on Republicans’ part? I can guarantee the media would love to see such a move and paint it as pandering, puerile racialism: which it may very well be.
Lehosh on November 10, 2008 at 7:01 PM
This is my concern for both. I need to hear more about their ideas.
conservative pilgrim on November 10, 2008 at 7:01 PM
The RNC is going to do what they want regardless. I think they enjoy getting their butts handed to them in elections. *sigh*
o/t: What gun would you guys recommend for a 5′2″ 110lbs girl that would be a first time gun owner? I’ve been to the range a few times and have fired a glock (with 38 special ammo and 40 caliber (I think)), a revolver (38 special again) and a 12-guage shot gun.
JadeNYU on November 10, 2008 at 7:01 PM
My only regret is that people will think we like steele because he is black and will treat him as such. We know it isn’t true…but that shouldn’t stop us from wanting him.
tomas on November 10, 2008 at 7:04 PM
STEELE!!!
right wing chicky on November 10, 2008 at 7:04 PM
Newt has the schnutz and I like him, but it seems I’ve developed a severe allergic reaction to GW preachers of any degree. I can’t seem to bleach from my mind, the picture of Newt and Pelosovich sitting on a bench engaged in global warming frottage….I’ll go with Steele.
I need a drink.
Itchee Dryback on November 10, 2008 at 7:05 PM
or the other narrative:
BSNBC Crank: Today the RNC chose Newt Gingrich for it’s new chair. Gingrich was the heartless creator of the “Contract on America”, during the old Clinton Administration, which reduced income for the poor and down trodden.
Howard: Yes, he made teh por poorer and the rich richer over a decade ago….
Both: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
WHO CARES WHAT THEY SAY? We need tough, conservative leadership!
beththebaker on November 10, 2008 at 7:05 PM
my cut and paste is haywire…. sorry, meant:
3rd time today…
beththebaker on November 10, 2008 at 7:06 PM
Which is why I voted for Newt. Keyword: LEADERSHIP.
Punchenko on November 10, 2008 at 7:07 PM
gotcha… never mind….
beththebaker on November 10, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Yes. He stands right next to Nancy Pelosi. Steele couldn’t stand in a more revolting place.
brobin on November 10, 2008 at 7:08 PM
If you think that a female republican got attacked for going against gender politics, wait til you see what the left does to Steele. In their version Dante’s Inferno, the inner most circle is reserved for racial traitors. This is the breakdown:
Level 1 Republicans
Level 2 Conservatives
Level 3 Christian conservatives
Level 4 Nazis
Level 5 Big Oil
Level 6 Female conservatives
Level 7 George Bush
Level 8 Black conservatives
Level 9 Whomever runs against obama in 2012
keep the change on November 10, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Newt does NOT believe in man made global warming. He does believe in protecting the environment for the right reasons and promoting new clean technology. He just does not want the debate dominated by the environut left. I was blogging about Newt taking over the RNC as our premier idea guru last week. I like Michael Steele but he is not out front with new ideas about how to move forward. Newt understands how to use the internet and modern technology much like Dean did for the Dems. His American Solutions project has generated many innovative ideas on how to move America forward and he has a terrific grasp on what the people want.
Plus I think Newt could do an excellent job at recruiting fresh new candidates for the ‘10 midterms which is where we need to be concentrating our energy not speculating about’12.
goat on November 10, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Wow, that’s a hard choice. When I voted in the poll, I put Steele ahead of Gingrich by exactly one vote.
frankj on November 10, 2008 at 7:09 PM
Ummm…what does the RNC chair do?
kcewa on November 10, 2008 at 7:09 PM
STEELE.
capitalist piglet on November 10, 2008 at 7:10 PM
Steele/Palin 2012
As supported by Newt and drilled drilled drilled baby for the next 4 years of stupidity…
UNREPENTANT CONSERVATIVE CAPITOLIST on November 10, 2008 at 7:10 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 3 ... 5 Next »