RNC shocker: Steele delivers good speech
posted at 3:56 pm on May 19, 2009 by Allahpundit
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I know, I couldn’t believe it either: He is capable of doing something right! Greg Hengler has video of the whole 30-minute address but this 10-minute snippet from the heart of it should stand you in good stead. The headlines tomorrow will be that Steele wants the GOP to confront Obama head-on — albeit in a “classy” and “dignified” manner — which is fine so long as it doesn’t mean neglecting some of the lower-hanging fruit on the Democratic tree. To wit, Madam Speaker’s approval rating is now at Gingrichian levels and Harry Reid’s in genuine trouble ahead of next year’s Senate race. No, really:
About a third of the state’s voters would re-elect Reid if the 2010 election were held today, according to the poll, but 45 percent say they would definitely vote to replace him. Seventeen percent would consider another candidate.
The findings are echoed by another poll question about Reid’s popularity that finds the four-term incumbent to be a polarizing figure in his home state.
Half of Nevada voters had an unfavorable view of Reid, while 38 percent had a favorable view and 11 percent a neutral opinion.
Steele’s name-check of Pelosi and Reid is actually the highlight of this clip, although his sustained indictment of Obama’s first 100+ days is probably the most effective I’ve seen yet from a Republican. Worth your time if you can spare it.
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Allah,
What’s the over/under on programs making teabag jokes on MSNBC and CNN? 4? 5?
“This change, my friends, is being delivered in a teabag. And that’s a wonderful thing.”
I don’t think they’ll be able to resist that one.
PaisleyCow on May 19, 2009 at 6:25 PM
The Man of Steele was on fire today! Great speech, and great interviews afterwards.
ProudinNC on May 19, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Steele is pretty awesome when you accept that like a lot of guys his age he can be a bit irritating with his 70s flashbacks to hipness. All my uncles are exactly like Steele (acept that they’re Democrats) so I just don’t see it as a failing.
Rob Taylor on May 19, 2009 at 6:39 PM
Well done, Mr. Steele.
Still on probation, though.
myrenovations on May 19, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Steele was rather wobbly when he first took over in his new role.
He took a deep breath, asked conservatives what they really wanted, synthesized & refined the message, and at long last came out with this speech. Now I hope (and expect) that the man has his legs under him.
Edouard on May 19, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Revise history, much?
I was one of the few that argued against appointing Steele in the first place, and the fact that he’s black was one of the primary selling points of his supporters.
So they didn’t want to “kick the black dude out”, they wanted the black dude in. It was later that they regretted it and wanted the incompetent dude out.
FloatingRock on May 19, 2009 at 6:46 PM
I just hope he means what he says and says what he truly believes. Only time will tell. Paranoia is tiresome to live with but in America today it is almost a necessity to survive.
UnEasyRider on May 19, 2009 at 6:51 PM
This was good!! This was very very good!! Finally,,, an adult speaks!! God,, I hope this is just the beginning!! I hope he doesn’t end up apologizing by tomorrow!!! Imagine if all the Pubs stood up and talked like this!! Keep it up!!!
JellyToast on May 19, 2009 at 6:52 PM
I think he did a fine job. At last. The arm-chair quarterbacks have good points, too.
Have you stopped to think about just how influential our input on blogs is to our elected officials? If you have not, then you should. Think about Ed. Think about the so-called ‘oddball’ no offense. This blog is getting major attention.
Which is why I am making a recommendation that AP, Michelle and Ed police the boards a little more frequently in an attempt to moderate trolls that just love floating out asinine BS onto this fine and respectable board.
Kudo’s to all who contribute valuable thoughts and words to one of the finest websites I’ve ever had the privilege to peruse and contribute to.
Keep up the great work. Great things await.
Key West Reader on May 19, 2009 at 7:19 PM
Nice to see the Brown Bomber back in form.
tomas on May 19, 2009 at 7:20 PM
That was a good speech, and every word was true.
I noticed he made a reference to Obama’s popularity. I think that is more of the media myth myself. Obama’s popularity is average for a first term president this early in his tenure.
Terrye on May 19, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Thank you Michael Steele. Bravo! Good job!
I am very pleased with this speech. It’s the best one I’ve seen from Mr. Steele and perhaps the best from any Republican official or office holder regarding Obama.
I particularly like how he separated Obama’s celebrity popularity from the unpopularity of Obama’s policies.
Loxodonta on May 19, 2009 at 7:27 PM
The response and rightly so is “Well, what would you do?”
He has to get out there and say that. People, will only care about what you can do for me…not what you don’t like about the other guy. You can say it but he should have filled in the blanks with republican Ideas to make it more lasting. Leadership…is the strength of your ideas and your ability to bring them into being.
tomas on May 19, 2009 at 7:32 PM
Let me add that when I’m with a client, we have a discussion and they give me suggestion about what to do with their product.
If I don’t agree with the suggestion…I always give them a reason why. They take my suggestions sometimes and other they don’t, but they always know I have there best interests at heart, regardless, of the size of their pocket book.
I think we need that attitude. Sometimes you win but sometimes you lose, but you are always believable.
tomas on May 19, 2009 at 7:38 PM
More of this Steele and less of the other crap you had.
deidre on May 19, 2009 at 7:58 PM
I’ll “spam” my comment from the other thread:
If the Republicans were smart, they would start preparing the battle space now.
Run “campaign” commercials every night on the most popular TV shows (YouTube alone won’t do it).
Keep them fresh, and recycle the most effective ones.
Closing line on every ad:
“Democrat Barack Obama, Democrat Harry Reid, Democrat Nancy Pelosi — leading the country to ruin.”
Get the meme cemented in the thick skulls full of mush (paraphrasing Limbaugh).
The ads would have a good chance of paying for themselves. People are ready to fight; if the Republicans start to fight, the money will flow like crazy.
mockmook on May 19, 2009 at 8:28 PM
The RNC wants the money first so they can pretend it is RiNO money….
they have the money to lay the battlground but won’t because the grassroots want metaphorical blood for the deeds of the donks and the Pains from Maine and Arlen Specter Junior from South Carolina want to call their shots on “making nice”
sven10077 on May 19, 2009 at 8:35 PM
I have to admit that I’m a little shocked. It was an excellent speech. I wish the person who read it would sound like the person who wrote it, more often.
Stickeehands on May 19, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Isn’t the RNC broke these days? Can’t run commercials w/o money.
angryed on May 19, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Yes! And I have been one of his harshest critics.
Buy Danish on May 19, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Give Michael a chance.
Phil Byler on May 19, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Wow…you’re right. Good speech.
AnninCA on May 20, 2009 at 12:03 AM
More of that, Mr. Steele…more of that.
That is leadership…
…but a 12 round heavyweight title isn’t won during the promotion.
Show me.
Saltysam on May 20, 2009 at 12:18 AM
Changes nothing as far as I’m concerned, I still will not give the GOP a penny of my money until this nincompoop is gone.
He’s like the Chicago Cubs, he will come back down to earth very soon, just give him time.
Joe Pyne on May 20, 2009 at 12:33 AM
Good, keep hammering away at them.
Funny thing is some of these pundits are getting on the GOP for offering ’solutions’ rather than simply attacking (hey, works for the Dems).
The GOP’s solution would (should) be to have the government lay off of business and quit interfering with free enterprise.
If you ask a true Republican about what ‘programs’ they would start you should only hear crickets chirping. They don’t speak that language unless they’re RINOs.
Dr. ZhivBlago on May 20, 2009 at 1:32 AM
The last two minutes are quite impressive.
radiofreevillage on May 20, 2009 at 1:54 AM
I have been the in opposition of Michael Steele for RNC Chairman since his name was first mentioned but this speech was fantastic, fact is, my jaw hit the floor when Steele mentioned Obama seizing the census, on leftist propaganda about guns and Mexico and several other subjects.
I do wish Steele had mentioned how states are divided in a way not seen since the Civil War and about Obama and the Democrats violating the Constitution at least 27 times but I will take this speech and truthfully, I will hold Steele and the RNC/GOP to this.
Let’s see some action!
Good job Michael Steele, keep this up!
nelsonknows on May 20, 2009 at 2:56 AM
This is everything Duncan D Hunter has been saying since February, it’s just that a true conservative cannot get the time of day from the press OR from the GOP.
nelsonknows on May 20, 2009 at 2:59 AM
CNN spin doctors are already at work this morning saying Steele attacked and declared war on BO the person rather than his policies. Of course that’s not what Steele said, he even went as far as to praise BO the person, but the spin doctors don’t work with facts. They think it worked (within their base) with Rush and now they are using the same tactic on Steele.
katablog.com on May 20, 2009 at 8:36 AM
Ok Steele this is more what you should be doing
karasoth on May 20, 2009 at 9:29 AM
Does this make Steele a racist?
will sass u on May 20, 2009 at 9:47 AM
That was outstanding. Can we please have more of that Steele and more leadership like that. That is what will inspire the American people to defeat the collectivists in Congress and the White House.
Mallard T. Drake on May 20, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Compare the oratory styles of Steele and Obama. Both are reading from a script, Steele’s is in his hands, Obama’s on the TOTUS. Steele sounds a little more like he is reading than Obama does, thus Obama’s reputation as a “great orator.” However, Steels does look AT the audience and from time to time insert comments that are off script to provide a natural feel to his speech. Obama won’t vary from the script a bit less he fall into his uh, uh, uh, speech pattern.
I prefer Steele’s style.
Mallard T. Drake on May 20, 2009 at 11:53 AM
I remember Mr. Steele’s speach at the convention last year. This is the same guy. Apparently, Evansville agrees with him.
Can you say Bold Colors? I knew you could.
Never Again!
Blacksmith8 on May 20, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Excellent. I just hope this is the real Michael Steele because this is definitely the Michael Steele we need to see.
And isn´t that principled, measured opposition he delivers so well here much more convincing to independents than the wishy-washy “let´s all find common ground” pandering? Yes!
el gordo on May 21, 2009 at 6:25 AM
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