AOL Hot Seat poll: Who do you want as RNC chair?
posted at 2:30 pm on November 14, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Today’s AOL Hot Seat poll asks readers to choose who should lead the Republican Party for the next four years:
I’ve made the case for both Michael Steele and Newt Gingrich. Mike Duncan, the current chair, took some aggressive action yesterday to attack the BCRA. The folks at AOL didn’t include Fred Thompson, but did include an “Other” category.
Who gets your vote? Tell us why in the comments!
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The Fredster!
ErinF on November 14, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Fresh Blood
Kini on November 14, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Steele’s okay, but not optimal.
Spirit of 1776 on November 14, 2008 at 2:34 PM
The Man of Steele!
D0WNT0WN on November 14, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Steele
Hey, can we have McCain?
JK – K?
kybowexar on November 14, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Michael Steele.
Gingrich is old, really old, and has enough skeletons in his closet to be accused of necromancy. He’s GREAT as an ideological kingpin but he’s locked in the 20th century.
Steele will bring a fresh face to the party and will have an easier time bringing renewal and upgrades to the party. Newt can always be there as an intellectual point man, but he should not be the chair of the party.
BKennedy on November 14, 2008 at 2:36 PM
My pick is Michael Steele.
Not only is he a strong conservative (and unlike Newt, I don’t know of him being swayed by the global warming nonsense), he also has an agenda to reach out to a natural constituency that the GOP has ignored for far too long…and that is our black population.
So I hope he does reach out to them, and that as a result, we can attract other races as well.
We have a message that can and should resonate with all Americans and he might be the one equipped to carry that message.
powerpro on November 14, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Other
FloatingRock on November 14, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Colonel Oliver North.
Bishop on November 14, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Steele’s okay, but not optimal.
Spirit of 1776 on November 14, 2008 at 2:34 PM
Racist. Or optimalist.
Bishop on November 14, 2008 at 2:38 PM
I’m going to go with Saul Anuzis.
Rollie on November 14, 2008 at 2:39 PM
Newt!
lodge on November 14, 2008 at 2:39 PM
The best person for the job,
the most qualified,the most
affective,and the best person
to be at the helm of the Chair,
and steer the Republican Party
back to where they need to be!!
canopfor on November 14, 2008 at 2:39 PM
I don’t know too much about Steele’s conservative cred but he does have much needed optimism. He and Newt would make a great team. Steele could also be good for bringing more black conservatives out of the closet.
We know you’re in there!
DerKrieger on November 14, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Newt is the idea guy. He’s got the imagination and leadership to push the Pubs ahead.
If he keeps his damned mug out of the media and get into the trenches, he could be great.
He’s got a big fat ego that may preclude him from the gig.
mylegsareswollen on November 14, 2008 at 2:40 PM
I just want to say how evil you look in these AOL Hot Seat Polls, Ed.
Crazy evil.
Abby Adams on November 14, 2008 at 2:40 PM
I want Gingrich, though I like Steele, Newt has done this before. He is the only person on our side who has new ideas, good or bad, big or small. The only issue that was successful for the GOP this cycle was drilling offshore, its main proponent was Newt. He is 65 now, so he isn’t that old. But he is too old to run in 4 years.
Complete7 on November 14, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Ron Paul!
lorien1973 on November 14, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Saul rocks. He’s got an extra finger though, so he may not be the guy for the job.
mylegsareswollen on November 14, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Steel apparently supports affirmative action and gun control.
FloatingRock on November 14, 2008 at 2:41 PM
George Allen or Tom DeLay
hbinva on November 14, 2008 at 2:42 PM
We need CHANGE. We could use a dose of younger representation as well. How old is Steele? Fred is an old white southern boy… we’ve got plenty of those in the party. Newt is another George Bush clone candidate. If we want the White House back we need NEW PEOPLE.
I think Steele offers a different voice and a chance to regain credibility with the minority vote.
cannonball on November 14, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Malkin, game over.
Alden Pyle on November 14, 2008 at 2:44 PM
To everybody who wants Newt: HE DOESN’T WANT THE JOB! HE LIKES STEELE!
D0WNT0WN on November 14, 2008 at 2:44 PM
The 3% who voted for Duncan must be Democrats.
Percy_Peabody on November 14, 2008 at 2:44 PM
That poll still asked who would win the Presidential election. What is with that?
Michael Steele for sure.
jcheney on November 14, 2008 at 2:45 PM
I voted Other. Because Newt said no, and also because I don’t think Steele is sufficient. We need someone who gets 21st century tech, business, and who emulates conservatism to the core. Pro-abortion doesn’t fly with me. Period.
Numenorean on November 14, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Wy would you want our greatest national treasure dealing with the punks and status quo types in the currently hackish Republican Party?
BKennedy on November 14, 2008 at 2:45 PM
LOLZ
exlibris on November 14, 2008 at 2:45 PM
There are better things Newt could do – like run for President.
holdfast on November 14, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Rachael Ray.
doufree on November 14, 2008 at 2:46 PM
I do not want Gingrich he is a more valuable as an advocate for conservative solutions. While Michael Steele is a far more valuable advocate for conservatism, especially at the grassroots level.
The new electorate is not going to have an affinity for Gingrich. Consevative blacks that still vote Democrat but know that Democrat education and social policy is killng them have cover for drifting right with Obama as presdident and Michael Steele saying what they are thinking. Obama’s presidency will drive a wedge between blacks that claim victimhood versus blacks that are self-reliant. Whites in the media will ultimately not be able to stomach the victimhood. Jesse and AL just aren’t going to get the airtime. What will get airtime is diversity in thought among blacks for the purpose of validitaing whites voting for Obama but will have the unintended consequence of legitimizing blacks moving to the right.
It will be interesting to watch Atlanta. They tax heavily to spend heavily on entitlements. The dam will eventually break and middle class blacks will begin to balk at paying high taxes for services that they do not use.
Theworldisnotenough on November 14, 2008 at 2:47 PM
That was hilarious!
You however owe me a new monitor.
kybowexar on November 14, 2008 at 2:47 PM
McCain wasn’t far enough left for you to fulfill the “change” mantle?
I think he was, and the experiment was a failure.
FloatingRock on November 14, 2008 at 2:47 PM
I picked Mr. Steele on the belief that, with him, we get “2 for 1″. Rep. Gingrich is, and will continue to, building ideas and policies outside the party structure…he can do this while Mr. Steele works on the inside.
I like Rep. Gingrich’s American Solutions approach. While some have criticized him for being, occasionally, onside with Rep. Pelosi. i think that this is done, in part, to resurrect his image (I will never forget the Time cover “The Gingrich That Stole Christmas”) and to shove bipartisanship in their faces…we all know the Dems are never bipartisan.
I think these are two great resources for the party…the GOP is lucky to have them. Would it be “Pollyannaish” to imagine Sen. Thompson working with them as a triumviarate?
Blaise on November 14, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Steele, Steele, Steele
Falz on November 14, 2008 at 2:49 PM
Newt said no, but I DO think he would be the best person for the job.
He’s savvy, extremely intelligent, appropriately aggressive, and is personally tech savvy enough or at least realizes the importance of being tech savvy. Look at his Newt.org site or American Solutions. But, he did refuse.
I love Fred Thompson, truly, but whoever gets that position must realize this IS our parents’ brand of conservatism, but it must be wrapped up in a bright new package. It’s Back to the Future!
Oink on November 14, 2008 at 2:50 PM
Jeri Thompson
baldilocks on November 14, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Exactly. They’re all true bipartisan ideas like offshore drilling. He has 10 policies with all like 70% approval from the American people
Bipartisan is American Solutions, it’s not crap like amnesty and cap n trade
lodge on November 14, 2008 at 2:52 PM
If anybody has Sirius radio … Steele is on the Patriot Channel right now
joey24007 on November 14, 2008 at 2:52 PM
If people are gung ho for a black guy to fill the role, nominate Thomas Sowell.
As for me, I’ll nominate Sowell not because of the color of his skin, but because he’s among the best at articulating conservatism.
FloatingRock on November 14, 2008 at 2:53 PM
This makes sense if he was running for public office.
But we’re not talking about Congress or the Presidency. The RNC chair works mostly behind the scenes, out of the public eye.
KeepOhioRed on November 14, 2008 at 2:54 PM
I like Steele, but I would prefer FRED!. he was and is the only major republican(that I know of) pushing federalism and getting the power back to the states where it belongs.
Corsair on November 14, 2008 at 2:56 PM
tough question really. Problem with Newt is he’s damaged goods and reminds people of the past.
Steele represents “Change” and a clear alternative to Obama’s “Change” we’ll experience in coming years
jp on November 14, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Steel apparently supports affirmative action and gun control.
FloatingRock on November 14, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Gun control? If true, he loses the critical and all-important support of Bishop.
Bishop on November 14, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Oh, heck yeah!
Tennman on November 14, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Vote Other!
The simple fact is that picking a chair before settling on a set of guiding principles is backwards. Besides throwing out of power the idiots that foisted McCain on the party in the name electability, you can’t pick a chair until you know how the vision and values of the party match up with the potential leader. Newt, for example, lost my support by sitting on that couch with Pelosi. The more the party leader agrees with what the message is the more effective communication. McCain couldn’t say “conservative” without grimmacing. We don’t need more of that.
highhopes on November 14, 2008 at 2:58 PM
I’d rather have Steele in office but going to be tough in Maryland. We need both of them…
DCJeff on November 14, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Jeri Thompson
baldilocks on November 14, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Jeri will be unavailable. Jeri and I have agreed that she will leave Fred, take half his fortune and retire with me to Barbados.
Now all I have to do is explain that to my own wife and survive.
Bishop on November 14, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Yep. I think William Amos linked to it in another thread a day or two ago. He supports the “assault” weapons ban at least.
FloatingRock on November 14, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Because she would beat them all up and make them cry for mommy?
(Ideologically. Not literally, of course.)
Oh, and Newt is supporting Steele. Might as well take him off the poll.
wearyman on November 14, 2008 at 3:00 PM
I like Michael Steele alot but coming so soon after the election of the first multi-racial President it reads too much like “hey look we’ve got black people too” I’d like to go the other direction and find a conservative evangelical woman to lead the party (no not Palin).
highhopes on November 14, 2008 at 3:00 PM
I nominate Cher. Or Toni Tennille.
Bishop on November 14, 2008 at 3:00 PM
He supports the “assault” weapons ban at least.
FloatingRock on November 14, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Ugh. Why would he want to do that? It’s such an inner-city “lets get rid of crime by getting rid of guns” line of bullshat.
I hope it gets highlighted during the nomination process.
Bishop on November 14, 2008 at 3:02 PM
My thought process behind this is that he has probably alienated some inside people with his kowtowing to Pelousy or some other tangental move he’s made. And the age was more that he was last relevant in 1992. He may think he’s still dealing with the Clintons when clearly Obama is a much, much dirtier, more sinister force.
Steele already has some insulation from the Oreo chucking wing of Black Democrat Purity Plantation. And again, he’s a newer face who can bring some innovation. Newt is a policy guy, make him an RNC intellectual point man, but his days at the wheel are over.
Besides, he’s already stepped down and endorsed Steele.
BKennedy on November 14, 2008 at 3:03 PM
Saul Anuzis
conservative82 on November 14, 2008 at 3:04 PM
I voted for Michael, but if he is for gun control, NO way would I vote for him. I did not know that about him.
L
letget on November 14, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Mark Levin
Ropera on November 14, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Let’s hope. I’m not familiar with the process but I fear that compassionate conservatives have had at least 8 years to establish control over the party apparatus.
FloatingRock on November 14, 2008 at 3:05 PM
other
too much old meat in the mix.
johnnyU on November 14, 2008 at 3:06 PM
Saul Anuzis
conservative82 on November 14, 2008 at 3:07 PM
I can’t believe Newt is leading this poll…I apologize, but new blood is needed here, fresh faces. I applaud Newt and his ingenious thinking/analysis, but he is the right message delivered by the wrong messenger.
Steele.
Romney/Jindal 2012!
MangoDaddy on November 14, 2008 at 3:08 PM
I vote “ME”…… and why not?
MNDavenotPC on November 14, 2008 at 3:09 PM
FRED!!!!
teffertoes on November 14, 2008 at 3:13 PM
Michael Steele on Gun Control
Q: Should people have access to buy assault weapons?
A: Society should draw lines. What do you need an assault weapon for, if you’re going hunting? That’s overkill. But I don’t think that means you go to a total ban for those who want to use gun for skeet shooting or hunting or things like that But what’s the point of passing gun laws if we’re not going to enforce them? If you want to talk about gun control, that’s where you need to start. We’ve got 300 gun laws on the books right now. At the end of the day, it’s about how we enforce the law.
So he is not in support of a total ban! That doesn’t sound like someone who has a problem with most of the anti-gun legislation being put out.
sharrukin on November 12, 2008 at 3:03 PM
FloatingRock on November 14, 2008 at 3:14 PM
how about someone with balls and a sense of PR?
it could be a flying pig at this point.
bloghooligan on November 14, 2008 at 3:15 PM
I want Ronald Reagan. Even his corpse could do a better job than what was displayed during this last election. Very ripe, low hanging fruit everywhere and no one even tasted it, much less pick it and throw it like hand grenades at the Dems.
Big John on November 14, 2008 at 3:18 PM
Will Steele be able to vote on gun bans? No.
Will the NRA suddenly switch parties and vote with OBan’em? No.
Will the Republican Party abandon the Second Amendment in their party plank? No.
So why does it matter?
BKennedy on November 14, 2008 at 3:20 PM
I think Michael Steele because he would be a fresh face on everything.
I think Newt should be involved, but he has some baggage that i think steele can avoid. Newt does have a way of coalescing a message though, and i like that.
psv on November 14, 2008 at 3:21 PM
Not a Republican, so I won’t screw up the poll. If you guys want to win – Newt Gingrich. He’s already helped engineer one congressional revolution, he can do it again.
RightOFLeft on November 14, 2008 at 3:21 PM
http://news.aol.com/political-machine/hot-seat
Steele. Newt has too much personal baggage and he drinks global warming Kool-aid.
scrubjay on November 14, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Gunbanning RINO. Great.
Not to mention we have a 2 time bailout voter, career politician, challenging Boehner.
Just f**king great
lodge on November 14, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Fred does not have enough energy or interest to make a sustained effort at the job.
Newt has too much baggage.
Michael Steele is fresh blood and has the energy to work hard as the RNC chair.
slp on November 14, 2008 at 3:25 PM
Steele.
Because I’ve still got the image of Newt and Nancy on the Park Bench discussing GREEN.
Fred still looks after his “good old boys” and I think he’d do too much to protect those he knows instead of recruiting new solid conservatives.
mngirl on November 14, 2008 at 3:27 PM
Why is Fred not on the poll?
I like Steele, but you know that choice will be mocked and ridiculed as a GOP attempt to jump on the Obama/Kevin Johnson bandwagon.
Fred Thompson is the ONLY man willing to speak the truth without caving to political correctness. He’s also the ONLY person with the balls to publicly humiliate any GOP member who insists on acting like a liberal.
Gregor on November 14, 2008 at 3:29 PM
Charo. Cuchi-cuchi baby!
RMR on November 14, 2008 at 3:30 PM
Fred!
HebrewToYou on November 14, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Fred will get bored and give up like he always does. Newt deserves props for his role in the 90’s but he is more focused on what is best for Newt then anyone else.
Steele is ideal for the position for the many reasons stated earlier. He has good organizational skills and won’t have to worry about The Black Caesar’s people calling him a racist when he points out their flaws.
grdred944 on November 14, 2008 at 3:32 PM
Actually, the poll is worthless without Fred on it. The results are basically meaningless.
Gregor on November 14, 2008 at 3:32 PM
My thought process behind this is that he has probably alienated some inside people with his kowtowing to Pelousy or some other tangental move he’s made. And the age was more that he was last relevant in 1992. He may think he’s still dealing with the Clintons when clearly Obama is a much, much dirtier, more sinister force.
Steele already has some insulation from the Oreo chucking wing of Black Democrat Purity Plantation. And again, he’s a newer face who can bring some innovation. Newt is a policy guy, make him an RNC intellectual point man, but his days at the wheel are over.
Besides, he’s already stepped down and endorsed Steele.
BKennedy on November 14, 2008 at 3:03 PM
Wow, and to think that in 1994 when Newt was leading the Republican Revolution with the Contract with America, he had already been irrelevant for two years.
thecountofincognito on November 14, 2008 at 3:35 PM
Wow. I just don’t know where to begin telling you all the things wrong with this. At least I didn’t embarrass you by giving you attribution.
I like Newt, Fred! would be fine; or how about Mr. Organization: Mitt Romney.
Actually, my dream candidate is Megyn Kelly; but maybe that’s just the “dream” part talkin’. Yeah. Probably. Still….
RegularJoe on November 14, 2008 at 3:35 PM
If the RNC and the position are so irrelevant to the issues, let’s disband it.
FloatingRock on November 14, 2008 at 3:36 PM
Steele, because he’s just an r and an s away from being STEELERS
peprsgt on November 14, 2008 at 3:45 PM
Fred as head, and he should do the radio address by default. He should make a point of highlighting the future leaders of the Republican party. For example, Bobby Jindal would be a great choice to do the Republican response to the State of the Union.
In fact, I think whoever is the head of the RNC should try to introduce several of the more likely governors to the American public.
theregoestheneighborhood on November 14, 2008 at 3:45 PM
Steele. Excellent communicator. Ideas don’t matter if they aren’t conveyed effectively.
Gilda on November 14, 2008 at 3:45 PM
Electing Michael Steele would be a HUGE mistake.
Here are Michael Steele’s positions http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Michael_Steele.htm
Michael Steele supports Roe V Wade, Affirmative Action and Steele’s Stance on some firearms sounds strangely similar to Barrack Obama…
“Society should draw lines. What do you need an assault weapon for, if you’re going hunting? That’s overkill. But I don’t think that means you go to a total ban for those who want to use gun for skeet shooting or hunting or things like that”
The RNC needs to find a CONSERVATIVE!
nelsonknows on November 14, 2008 at 3:46 PM
I’m asking the same question on my blog.
My initial gut reaction is Newt Gingrich, though, the more I think about it the more I’m leaning towards Michael Steele or Fred Thompson. As much as I like Newt he may be to polarizing for the job.
The choice between Steele and Thompson is tough one, I don’t think we could go wrong either one, ultimately I think Michael Steele embodies the idea of “change” more than Thompson does so I guess you can put me in the Steele camp.
jasetaro on November 14, 2008 at 3:46 PM
TED NUGENT.
texaninfidel on November 14, 2008 at 3:47 PM
Newt would be the most effective by far. Maybe not the most popular, but he’d be great on the Sunday talk shows. Other politicians have a hard time measuring up to the Newt. I’ve always enjoyed him on TV. He seems full of innovative ideas and intellegence. Go Newt
nick108 on November 14, 2008 at 3:49 PM
But bad ideas conveyed effectively are still bad ideas.
FloatingRock on November 14, 2008 at 3:49 PM
FRED THOMPSON! are you people deaf?
Kaptain Amerika on November 14, 2008 at 3:53 PM
I want Newt!
I especially like it when he sits in the love-seat with Nancy and waxes eloquent about man-made climate change and the wondrous virtue of government totalitarian control over energy and human activity. Please government, take over EVERYTHING about my life, even my breathing!
Plus, as the author of the GOP Big Tent, everything has been wonderful in GOP-land since Newt told us to embrace the RINOs.
Newt, yes!!
sarc off/
Brian Paasch on November 14, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Michael Steele would be my second choice…..
First choice is Fred!
IrishGirl17 on November 14, 2008 at 3:56 PM
I guess these polls are fun. But everybody does realize that the public won’t get to vote on this, right?
paul006 on November 14, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Rick Santorum
sheesh on November 14, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Smartest choice Ive seen yet!
Viper1 on November 14, 2008 at 4:04 PM
I think about Newt kinda like I think about Romney – with a jaundiced eye.
Maybe I don’t know enough yet about Michael Steele, but what I’ve seen and read is pretty darn good, conservatively speaking.
Randy
williars on November 14, 2008 at 4:09 PM
I voted for Steele. After the McCain/Palin debacle, I want someone who gets what this party is about and can articulate it when asked.
Steele appeals to me because of his stellar academic credentials and personal skills. As most of us here understand, the welfare state agenda has done nothing but harm African (as well as other poor) Americans; Steele would be very effective in pointing that out. Newt has too much personal baggage and, let’s face it, he’s a little too 1993.
I’ve always thought Lynn Cheney was pretty impressive. Maybe she’s looking for work.
Infidoll on November 14, 2008 at 4:12 PM
Newt Gingrich has very high negatives. I don’t think he will do anything to attract new people. And since so many conservatives seem bound and determined to sit out elections we need to attract some new people who might actually vote.
Terrye on November 14, 2008 at 4:28 PM
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