Michael Steele: McCain should have hit Obama on Wright
posted at 8:30 pm on November 14, 2008 by Allahpundit
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So reports Matt Lewis, per Steele’s conference call this afternoon with bloggers. And that’s not the money part:
Steele also warned that we shouldn’t “soft-pedal” our attacks on Barack Obama, “just because the President of the United States happens to be a Black man.” This, of course, presents the argument that Steele — an African-American — could be a more effective critic of Obama than could his white Republican colleagues.
He added that “the Obama campaign played the race card beautifully.”
David Harsanyi says he was more explicit than that:
The most interesting aspect of the call focused on the perceived ability of Steele to take on Barack Obama more ferociously and avoid the tedious race-card ploy used by some Democrats. When asked if he would be able to criticize Obama more freely, Steele said “I think because I’m an American I will be to do it” and that “bad policies don’t have color, they’re just bad policies.” Good answers.
Having him up top could reduce the Absolute Moral Authority deficit superficially, but will it really “avoid the tedious race-card ploy”? Remember, this is a guy whom the nutroots have been known to photoshop as Sambo for the crime of being black while conservative. If anything, I suspect, electing him will feed racial politics by leading the left to frame The One as “authentically black” vis-a-vis the Republican “house slave” or whatever progressive witticism they’ve coined for him this month. Which isn’t a reason to vote against Steele, needless to say: On the contrary, maybe that’s the point — to bait them and let them show off how “enlightened” they really are. They won’t be able to resist.
Even so, an unnamed Republican source says don’t get your hopes up:
But one influential Republican believes that RNC members are going to insist that the next chair come from the RNC.
“As to the new chair, don’t pay any attention to people who aren’t on the RNC,” he told me. “This is not a good thing, but the current RNC believes only one of their own should be chair. Maybe a dozen have a clue politically — and that’s being very kind. None (as chairman) could be an ideas leader or command the substantive respect of Republican senators or representatives.”
If that’s true, if Steele’s doomed to lose to some RNC crony, it’s doubly unfortunate insofar as not only will the base be disappointed, but it’ll hand the Democrats an easy talking point about the prospects for black politicians within the GOP as compared to their own party. Not just for that reason but partly for that reason, I hope he pulls it out.
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Stay safe, Mike. You thought Chuck Schumer was interested in your credit rating before…
Pasalubong on November 14, 2008 at 8:33 PM
RNC has a real death wish, doesn’t it?
lorien1973 on November 14, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Jindal/Steele 2012!
(I know I have a different name every day, but that shows the depth of our bench)
jgapinoy on November 14, 2008 at 8:35 PM
McCain should have hit Obama on any number of issues, but he would rather lose the election honorable than stoop to such actions. So It turns out the American people are the losers for the next four years.
Tommy_G on November 14, 2008 at 8:35 PM
How would one wake up the RNC? Would it take losing the house, senate and white house? I guess not…
beththebaker on November 14, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Nicely stated. And he’s right about Wright.
I’m pessimistic on the outcome of the selection, of course.
Spirit of 1776 on November 14, 2008 at 8:38 PM
I’m all for Michael Steele. He is outspoken and speaks my kind of language. He is a shining star for the party.
FireBlogger on November 14, 2008 at 8:38 PM
They cast Powell and Rice as Uncle Toms, who gives a flying ruck what they think. Principles first.
Greenhelmet on November 14, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Ummmmmmm,maybe the RNC didn’t read Hot Air for
6 months,or got the hint,or recieved Hot/Airs
numerous ‘MEMO’s’ or ‘Notes’! Jus sayin.:)
canopfor on November 14, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Allah’s right that you put Steele up there if only to watch the racist liberal nutroots twist themselves into pretzels. How fun would it be with a “black” President, to have photoshopped pictures of Steele as Sambo on the nightly news – courtesy of the same freaks that elected Obambi?
I think that would be great fun, indeed.
But how to induce a MSM network to stumble into committing journalism?
Jaibones on November 14, 2008 at 8:42 PM
The RNC seems like a pretty stupid group of people. Ron Nehrig has not been great in San Diego, either. We have an entirely Democratic City Council now and the liberalism from the north is creeping into the last real conservative city on the left coast.
Tacitus_SGL on November 14, 2008 at 8:43 PM
Obama’s not black, he’s transparent.
profitsbeard on November 14, 2008 at 8:44 PM
……………….. and that is why Mr. Obama is President Elect, the Office of.
Seven Percent Solution on November 14, 2008 at 8:44 PM
It shouldn’t matter if those attacking Barack Hussein Obama are purple…..WRONG IS WRONG and sitting in a church for twenty years and listening to a racist, bigot ranting against the United States of America is WRONG and should have been put on the agenda. Too bad we had a candidate with NO BALLS!
HornetSting on November 14, 2008 at 8:46 PM
I would like to see more of Steele’s metal. How he plans to articulate traditional conservative values.
tarpon on November 14, 2008 at 8:47 PM
Don’t forget, they call black conservatives “oreos”, black on the outside, white on the inside because, heaven forbid, they make sense and want their race to make progress…not rely on the government.
As far as Colin Powell is concerned….he can eat it…you racist bastard turncoat!
HornetSting on November 14, 2008 at 8:49 PM
I’m willing to bet a useful number of moderates, independents, undecided to the last minute types would get tired of the sambo, uncle tom bs eventually, especially since Steele seems pretty likable from what I’ve seen.
IMO if the RNC goes for an insider, they just seal their fate for a few more elections until they just give up completely and try to race the other side to all out socialism, pro-abortion, appeasement of enemies etc.
aikidoka on November 14, 2008 at 8:52 PM
Steele is so right.McCain ran the worst campain i have ever seen yes even worst than Dole and thats saying a lot. He ask all of us to stand up and fight but he never would and now he,s in D.C. trying to make nice with Obama.McCain and all of his kind will be the death of this party if we let them call the shots.(Steele when you go to the RNC kick butt and take names read the riot act to them)
thmcbb on November 14, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Steele can say this. Can you imagine if other Republicans said this?
CanadianGuy on November 14, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Steele crazy after all these years
joey24007 on November 14, 2008 at 8:57 PM
Sorry for the OT. But did anyone else watch Bill O tonight with Newt? Bill said that McCain refused an invite from Bill O for a half hour interview the night of Obamas half hour closing argument and McCain turned it down.
Newt was aghast, as was I. Unbelieveable…
broker1 on November 14, 2008 at 8:57 PM
Oh sigh. I have never been a member of the RNC. Have always voted for Republican, consider myself a republican, and I will gladly, gladly officially join when they get the cahones they need.
I followed last night’s posts carefully and the whole RINO’s Welcome mat vs. RINOs GO home arguement was interesting, but my take? All of you that said RINOs in leadership roles= big picture of the Rhino horn with a circle around it and a line drawn through that circle are correct…welcome them into the fold, but they have no. credibility. when. it . comes. to . setting. policy. period.
Chewy the Lab on November 14, 2008 at 8:58 PM
Yes. Millions of viewers. McCain is a dolt. Go away, old Rino!
But, I saw my Glenn Beck again. LOVE HIM! Can’t wait to see him again…..ON FOX!
HornetSting on November 14, 2008 at 8:59 PM
See, the blacks blew the historical first President card. Hopefully Obama won’t leave a bad taste in everyones mouth for black Presidents. The first of something should be special, and well Steele would have made a better historical impression. I was all for a black President from either side of the isle so long as it wasn’t Obama. A dumb move for blacks. They should have endorsed someone else.
johnnyU on November 14, 2008 at 9:01 PM
Now that white people have been…ahem…stealed against this label, you guys need to start having an answer to it or laughing it off. Michael Steele’s race won’t do the trick.
baldilocks on November 14, 2008 at 9:03 PM
Steele will be the man in charge of the RNC. He is already gaining a MASSIVE grassroots support system.
ousoonerfan15 on November 14, 2008 at 9:03 PM
Uh, Slick Willie said it.
Didn’t mean squat.
HarryBalzac on November 14, 2008 at 9:04 PM
When Obama fails, they can say that he wasn’t a REAL first black president because he doesn’t have ’slave’ blood. They can rationalize anything.
HornetSting on November 14, 2008 at 9:05 PM
If Steele runs and loses, dems will say it proves a black man can’t get a break in the GOP. If he runs and wins, he’s not really black anyway.
BuzzCrutcher on November 14, 2008 at 9:05 PM
The GOP needs Steele, badly
If the conservative cause does not recruit outside of the middle-aged white male pool the left wins; game, set, and match.
billy on November 14, 2008 at 9:06 PM
The only people I’ve heard make this distinction are white.
baldilocks on November 14, 2008 at 9:06 PM
Sorry, I thought I read “other white people.”
HarryBalzac on November 14, 2008 at 9:08 PM
The RNC must have a lot of blue blood country club republicans and they are screwing our party!
Get Steele in! I thought the republican party should represent the will of the people and not just a selected committee group. I will be beyond disgusted with the RNC if they re-elect Duncan or elect someone from their exclusive country club group.
The RNC better wake up! The national election should have been their wake-up call. We must do a surge of phone calls and e-mails to get Steele in.
jencab on November 14, 2008 at 9:08 PM
You know, I’m not even going to touch this one…..
Let the truth be told.
HornetSting on November 14, 2008 at 9:09 PM
It will look like tokenism, whether true or not.
baldilocks on November 14, 2008 at 9:09 PM
That, or the 2006 election.
HarryBalzac on November 14, 2008 at 9:10 PM
Why not? I told you all upthread to not be afraid.
baldilocks on November 14, 2008 at 9:10 PM
I think people are tired of the whole Uncle Tom thing by now. What would paralyze the left is if we start refering to him as Uncle Mike. Best way to nuetralize the issue is to embrace it with a positve spin.
katy on November 14, 2008 at 9:11 PM
Not a good idea, katy. LOL.
baldilocks on November 14, 2008 at 9:13 PM
Love you, locks, but don’t want to be banned. Don’t care if I’m called racist…I have pretty much adopted it after amnesty and not voting for Obama. Just want to keep talking on HA.
HornetSting on November 14, 2008 at 9:13 PM
So reports Matt Lewis, per Steele’s conference call this afternoon with bloggers. And that’s not the money part
The bold words are the ones important to me, it sows me that Steele knows where the next elections in 2010 will be decided… Online. We have to be up and running on the internet in 6 months to win everything we can in 2010. Papers and tv news is dead, this is where the people are reading and listening. We need to educate about the GOP, what it stands for and why it is the saner choice for America. Every site should have discussion boards and chat rooms to help people meet and plan for their cities and states.
brianpierre on November 14, 2008 at 9:14 PM
Completely o/t…
Don’t forget to hound Bush to pardon jailed U.S. Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compean!
Call the WH and Congress until your fingers bleed! These men deserve freedom for protecting our borders!
HornetSting on November 14, 2008 at 9:15 PM
Bull$#!t. I’m not about to be intimidated by guilt for something I never did. The people who attempt to mischaracterize Steele should be called out for the racist bastards they are. There isn’t one person in this forum incapable of it. I’m sick and tired of being bullied by people because of their race — or mine.
manwithblackhat on November 14, 2008 at 9:15 PM
You are absolutely right.
HarryBalzac on November 14, 2008 at 9:16 PM
It LOOKS like they were 100% right on William Ayers (McCain and Palin) Who is Vera Baker, and why is she in Martinique. Is she an old girlfriend of Rick Ayers is that how Barack Obama met her? Where did that huge pile of money, come from, over a half a billion.
Dr Evil on November 14, 2008 at 9:16 PM
I’m jus sayin’… Ya probably not. ;)
katy on November 14, 2008 at 9:17 PM
Another spineless pundit. Our party continues to falter because they don’t have the courage of their convictions and every time there is a “quote” from yet another gutless wonder I am more convinced this is where we will stay.
Cindy Munford on November 14, 2008 at 9:18 PM
One thing Steele is NOT afraid to speak is mind he is no rino .We must let the RNC know now that Steele is the right person for the job and there will be HELL to pay if the RNC trys any funny business.
thmcbb on November 14, 2008 at 9:19 PM
Amen!!
katy on November 14, 2008 at 9:19 PM
Of course they will, so, oh well, sigh, lie down, roll over. Woe is me, it’s over we’re beaten, dang…wish we could have figured out how to overcome that race card thing, oh well. too bad, go to the gym.
Slap, slap, slap!!!!!
Chewy the Lab on November 14, 2008 at 9:19 PM
There’s only one uncle.
His name is Vladimir Ilyich Lenin.
Schadenfreude on November 14, 2008 at 9:20 PM
Not to go off topic, but I know this is gonna hurt. Baldilocks said it was okay…..
The Time Magazine picture of Obama as FDR…looks like Big Worm from “Friday”….
HornetSting on November 14, 2008 at 9:22 PM
I get a laugh out of all you “true conservatives” applying that label to Steel, who supports affirmative action, gun control and Roe/Wade.
FloatingRock on November 14, 2008 at 9:22 PM
This might be the last Bush let-down to ‘his’ conservatives.
Schadenfreude on November 14, 2008 at 9:22 PM
I like Steele, but you are right. It would have been better if Steele was in charge last year. Does Steele have to be the “chair”, isn’t there another high level position for him in the RNC he can run for?
Hog Wild on November 14, 2008 at 9:24 PM
I second your motion. You are absolutely right! If Steele can put together an expanded network for the party, coordinate the message, get it out on a regular basis and make sure Obama’s plans and actions are analyzed and exposed, I will be thoroughly energized.
sherry on November 14, 2008 at 9:25 PM
I remember when this happened. My hubby is a BP Agent. I think the wives of Ramos and Compean should set up camp in Crawford like that loony witch did. MAKE HIM LOOK AT WHAT his assclown friend Johnny Sutton did to their family! I’m heading to Texas for the holiday. I would stand out there with them. They have lost their homes, their insurance….they were protecting our country! This should have been handled administratively.
HornetSting on November 14, 2008 at 9:25 PM
For sometime now, while channel surfing, every time I would see Steele coming up in a segment …I would endure the commercial….
If these fools don’t pick him….I’ll be joining the Nuge Brigade.
Why is this even in question?…Forget the race aspect….That’s total BS…Steele is perfect for the job!
jerrytbg on November 14, 2008 at 9:26 PM
Join the Nuge Brigade anyway. I hear he has tags for RINOS.
HornetSting on November 14, 2008 at 9:27 PM
OT: Does Alan Colmes get goofier with each and every show he does. I used to feel sorry for him because most of the guests run over him like a steamroller, but now it’s just painful to hear his voice
sherry on November 14, 2008 at 9:28 PM
The GOP can never use a black man effectively against the Dems. Any conservative black man will be demonized a house boy uncle tom. Just as they can demonize a female conservative, they will do the same with any black candidate and then for their “progressiveness”, southern conservatives will vote Dem just to spite them. It’s a lose/lose proposition. The Left has co-opted the moral high ground on race and there is no way to get it back.
keep the change on November 14, 2008 at 9:28 PM
Madam, I understand.
However, I’ve had to watch some white people put forth the most outlandish methods to discredit O among blacks and his lack of “slave blood” was one of them. (If some black dude mentioned it, he got the idea from a white person.) In addition, I’ve had to listen as blacks would scream at me if I uttered one word against the One. I’ve been called Aunt Jemima and a cyber-ho for the Man by blacks and been called unAmerican and a Muslim apologist racist by whites because my father is from the same tribe as Obamas and I dared to dispute the lie that the tribe is a Muslim one.
Then we had the things we knew (Ayers, Wright, etc.) were true about O but no one with a large enough platform would address them. And one top of that our candidate was too inarticulate and too mavericky to do it. Possibly too old?
Now we find ourselves surrounded by tribalists of all stripes: by whiny little babies who have turned into terrorists here in California, by governmental brownshirts in Ohio and by cyber-looters who steal money from credit card accounts and who will be running this country in a couple of months. If you think that they have it in for white people of the Bitter, Clinging persuasion, how do you think they’ll treat “traitors” like Steele, Sowell, etc., not to mention little people like me?
So you’ll excuse me if I’m a little fearless right now. All I’m trying to do is to get like-minded people to put away their fear also.
baldilocks on November 14, 2008 at 9:31 PM
The rules have changed son…wakeup!
jerrytbg on November 14, 2008 at 9:32 PM
Worrying about how it will look is playing into the hands of the left. Don’t do it. If Steele is the best man, put him up there. Love to see him run his mouth against The One.
Feedie on November 14, 2008 at 9:34 PM
I just might do that!!
jerrytbg on November 14, 2008 at 9:34 PM
Yes, ignoring the fact he doesn’t support a ban on guns at all..is pro life…and wants a limited government in regards to welfare and family.
Haunchie on November 14, 2008 at 9:34 PM
If Mr. Steele is chosen it must be that he can bring all of our factions together. You can’t get a more qualified person to work in National Security and State Dept. then Condi Rice or a more respected man than General Powell and look how they were treated. Until we don’t care that they call us racists then we are always going to second guess ourselves. I don’t know enough about Mr. Steele to jump on the bandwagon and I won’t expect total agreement on his beliefs and mine but there could be some deal breakers. I am talking like I get a vote. I don’t but I can send nagging emails with the best of them.
Cindy Munford on November 14, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Palin… Steele… Piyush . . .
My friends, your intemperate desperation after a landslide loss of historic proportions leads me to believe that next you’ll be touting Lee Ann Womack as the savior of the GOP!
benny shakar on November 14, 2008 at 9:40 PM
This is where you–where we–need to be.
baldilocks on November 14, 2008 at 9:42 PM
Are you old enough to drink? Just curious.
sherry on November 14, 2008 at 9:42 PM
To quote myself:
baldilocks on November 14, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Got a link on that gun control?
jerrytbg on November 14, 2008 at 9:43 PM
benny shakar is a HUGE racist, sexist and bigot
ousoonerfan15 on November 14, 2008 at 9:44 PM
To start with, you didn’t address his support of affirmative action. Two, you’re right, he doesn’t want to ban all guns; but that doesn’t indicate he doesn’t support gun control:
In regard to Roe/Wade, it’s not a primary issue for me but the way I understand it he supports Roe/Wade, even if he may appose abortion personally.
FloatingRock on November 14, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Historic proportions?? What planet are you living on?
jerrytbg on November 14, 2008 at 9:49 PM
give us the link!
jerrytbg on November 14, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Must of had a date with SNL…to buffoon himself.
chewydog on November 14, 2008 at 9:53 PM
There are some links in the original thread I quoted above, (click on the Sharrukin link). William Amos and maybe some others also provided some URL’s in that thread, but I feel so alienated here right now, (and dinner is almost ready), that I don’t want to take the time to be more specific right now.
Originally I was only weary of Steel based on the fact that he was talking up McCain and down about the other Republican candidates during the primaries, (though I still had an open mind a few days ago), but then when I mentioned my concern some other’s brought up some specific examples.
FloatingRock on November 14, 2008 at 9:53 PM
No, it is you! You, who will be our savior. Your biting wit, your empathy with our needs and add to that your blinding good looks, you sir, are the total package. We await your next sparkling post with anticipation that it will show us the path that we should take. Oh and by the way, are you bring the potato salad to the Mensa picnic this year?
Cindy Munford on November 14, 2008 at 9:54 PM
Wrong. In any situation like this, you realize that you are being manipulated, and that your opponent’s strategy depends on you not calling them out — or being too embarrassed to do so. In this case it will take right-leaning people of any color to do it effectively. Country-club honkies, please step aside for a minute…
Fortunata on November 14, 2008 at 9:54 PM
What say we stage a coup of the RNC…or…start a viable 3rd party?
SouthernGent on November 14, 2008 at 9:54 PM
Wow, you are brave. I don’t care if anyone calls me racist. Doesn’t bother me, I’m from Texas. We’re used to it. As far as speaking my mind, and the ’slave blood’ thing, I was kind of poking the stick, so to speak. I am proud to post with you. You are brave and I say, let er’ rip, locks!
HornetSting on November 14, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Right on, Cindy.
As the poet said, to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Spirit of 1776 on November 14, 2008 at 10:01 PM
There are more of you than of me. You folks can make a difference. That may sound a little racist but it’s true.
baldilocks on November 14, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Whenever I argue with a white person about something regarding race, they shrink back. If you have the truth on your side, stand up.
baldilocks on November 14, 2008 at 10:02 PM
What is the high ground on race? I am probably not understanding this correctly but if conservatives have highly qualified minority members and they are called names for being either highly qualified or minority or both, that’s OUR problem? Well that says it all for me on the total brainwashing job the left has managed to do. They are good aren’t they?
Cindy Munford on November 14, 2008 at 10:02 PM
You’re making a lot of sense here, Cindy.
baldilocks on November 14, 2008 at 10:04 PM
McCain had as many skeletons as Obama. That’s why he couldnt attack Obama on anything. Any other candidate would have hit Obama on Wright and Republicans wouldnt have lost as many Senate seats.
igoramus08 on November 14, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Ah man…This has the makings of pi$$ing me off…I’m going to look into this more….errrrrr! Was I fooled again….eeeeerrrrrrrrrr
jerrytbg on November 14, 2008 at 10:05 PM
agree with you; let’s stop worrying about what the left thinks or says; in effect, that gives them influence over our message and our beliefs. We are looking to attract new conservatives, and aren;t going to convert any of the lefties anyway.
plus, when your enemy criticizes a decision you make, you are probably doing something right!
Red State State of Mind on November 14, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Thanks, I have my days.
Cindy Munford on November 14, 2008 at 10:16 PM
David Shuster told me that “you folks” was a little racist.
Straight question, what do you mean we can make a difference? The GOP has integrated and supported minorities in the party, but they are degraded from their own ethnic groups. I’m not trying to be difficult, I’m trying to understand what you are alluding to our power as – more McCain like appearances apologizing for not supporting MLK day?
Spirit of 1776 on November 14, 2008 at 10:20 PM
Well… here’s where that quote came from that FloatingRock cited.
Spoken like a true politician ,he dodged the question….
Pausing …to reflect and reconsider.
jerrytbg on November 14, 2008 at 10:25 PM
jerrytbg on November 14, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Yeah, he’s not optimal.
Spirit of 1776 on November 14, 2008 at 10:28 PM
If the RNC doesn’t take Steele they’ll never see a dime of my money again, and I may very well leave the party- especially if its some dumbass insider that wins. If he loses to Newt or even that lazy bum Fred Thompson I’ll respect that but some nobody then I’m three sheets to the wind and gone.
eski502 on November 14, 2008 at 10:28 PM
David Shuster also got his pee-pee slapped for pimping out Chelsea..
HornetSting on November 14, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Not what you said…you’re handle. Rooff Roof.
Chewy the Lab on November 14, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Yeah, though it wasn’t his show that was canceled. I can’t stand him, he is one of the most irresponsible “journalists” out there. He ran the Jason Leopold stuff as fact. Which is incredible how much the media has fallen; A Mitchell did the same thing with her breathless ‘my sources tell me that Clinton is going to throw in the towel tomorrow’.
Spirit of 1776 on November 14, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Ah yes, the blackface incident. That Gilliard, what a true talent.
Jim Treacher on November 14, 2008 at 10:33 PM
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