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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Haha, nice headline. Now I need to watch it and see if I agree.
javamartini on May 19, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Wonderful. On that alone, we should be able to get him elected to the White House in 2012.
MadisonConservative on May 19, 2009 at 3:59 PM
Steele Also did well at the NRA Annual Meeting.
mad saint jack on May 19, 2009 at 4:00 PM
That’s what has been so striking and disappointing about Steele– that he’s been gaffe-ing and not communicating like this. He’s very capable… I don’t know if he’s just a diamond in the rough or if the job is just too much too soon, what with trying to juggle all the Beltway inside baseball, the media, and the grassroots. But good on ya today, Mike.
Pasalubong on May 19, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Great. Now if we could only get him to speak well when he’s interviewed on various talk shows.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 19, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Whassss up?
d1carter on May 19, 2009 at 4:03 PM
MadisonConservative on May 19, 2009 at 3:59 PM
Oh snap!
Brat on May 19, 2009 at 4:03 PM
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.
Is this what Obama’s crackdown on Illegal Criminal Aliens is really about these two championed the illegal aliens rights above American Citizens. Remember what Pelosi stated Upholding American Immigration Law was UnAmerican…you know how the Democrats love to govern by polls.
Dr Evil on May 19, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Keep in mind that the Republicans haven’t even announced a challenger to Reid yet and the numbers are high. Much like in Connecticut, where Chris Dodd is a dead man walking.
teke184 on May 19, 2009 at 4:04 PM
I keep foxnews on all day in my office as I work. I actually stopped working and listened to his whole speech. Where has THIS steele been hiding? Awesome speech.
karenhasfreedom on May 19, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Teleprompter, meet thy match!
jay12 on May 19, 2009 at 4:05 PM
I can’t watch until someone tells me whether we are going to hear more bs about the “big tent.”
As a refresher: supposed “big tents’ have both entrances and exits.
The exit is for those of us who live by principle. The entrance is for inviting people who have yet to support the GOP with $$$ and canvassing.
Captain America on May 19, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Boffo.
Patrick on May 19, 2009 at 4:05 PM
I thought it was a great speech, right up there with his 2004 convention speech which got me on the Steele bandwagon to begin with. This is what this guy should be doing, giving speeches, just like Obama.
Daemonocracy on May 19, 2009 at 4:06 PM
He’s in the heezy!
Brat on May 19, 2009 at 4:08 PM
So…. would Steele’s Telepropmter be the Good Twin, or the Evil twin?
Sorry, but Steele can make speeches all day long, its his ACTIONS that many of us quesiton.
Romeo13 on May 19, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Wow, I forgot why I didn’t always feel embarrassed about Steele… He’s finally learning!
“This should not be the future of our country”
Finally!
Now, what would MegMac say…?
Upstater85 on May 19, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Arrogance of power
What lines.
We need to “tip toe around Obama”.
Celebrity
seven on May 19, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Steele in da rnc-zee!
benny shakar on May 19, 2009 at 4:11 PM
He is a good man, don’t lets bay at constantly his heels, give him time to grow.
As a comparison, envision Mike Duncan. Was he ever put under such a microscope even though he lost two freaking elections and surrendered congressional majorities in both the houses? No. Did we ever see on TV defending GOP? No.
Mike has committed some mistakes but it’s out of a genuine lack of tradition within GOP on how to communicate with the broader audiences. There is always some 2012 presidential hopeful stirring up trouble because they want total control of RNC. Don’t fall for it. Give this man a genuine chance.
promachus on May 19, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Michael Steele may have what McCain has: the tendency to be inconsistent in his delivery or his output; in football terms you don’t know which player is going to show up on a given Sunday.
The question the RNC leadership has to ask itself: does it want a consistent dull performer to replace Steele or can they live with Steele in hope he becomes more consistent in the future or that his good performances eventually will overshadow his bad performances.
technopeasant on May 19, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Yeah, Harry Reid is vulnerable, but you can’t beat somebody with nobody.
Mark1971 on May 19, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Probably in a room with a small group of people banging away on word processors while Steele was on TV making a fool of himself.
FloatingRock on May 19, 2009 at 4:14 PM
This is the Steele that we need. I don’t know who that other Steele was, but he can remain gone.
amerpundit on May 19, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Steele is being interviewed by Hannity right now. He is still in the groove.
karenhasfreedom on May 19, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Someone wake John Boehner, he might want to watch this, maybe think about resisting Obama’s, like, stuff and so forth.
It’d be nice to have an opposition party.
benrand on May 19, 2009 at 4:15 PM
This is the Mike Steele I supported – glad to see it.
“A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent certain fundamental beliefs which must not be compromised to political expediency, or simply to swell its numbers.
I do not believe I have proposed anything that is contrary to what has been considered Republican principle. It is at the same time the very basis of conservatism. It is time to reassert that principle and raise it to full view. And if there are those who cannot subscribe to these principles, then let them go their way.” Ronald Reagan 1975
Armando on May 19, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Steele is like my favorite clock….wait a bit and it’ll look different.
sven10077 on May 19, 2009 at 4:17 PM
I’m more than willing to allow Republicans some time to find our voice…
Good news about Reid in Nevada. Wish Pelosi was in trouble in San Fran.
Steele is going to grow into his job… we have time, let’s get this right.
Class and dignity in American politics would be a welcome change!!! It gives me hope.
petunia on May 19, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Isn’t he just making the tent smaller by expressing actual um, principles that the GOP should stand for? Doesn’t he know that we already drove Colin Powell out of the party? Is he nuts?
Cicero43 on May 19, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Finally.
rollthedice on May 19, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Steele has said some stupid things early on, but this was an excellent speech. Good for him.
V15J on May 19, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Now if he can do this on his interviews, things will get better. Has he closed the republican primaries solely for republicans yet?
jencab on May 19, 2009 at 4:18 PM
sven10077 on May 19, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Another way of saying what I said in an earlier thread.
technopeasant on May 19, 2009 at 4:19 PM
I wanted Blackwell, and have been very frustrated w/ Steele, but this was a da** good speech. I hope this is a corner turning for him. This is what he should be doing, giving speeches and then finding good candidates, not embarrassing himself on goofy DL Hugley talk shows.
Keep it up Mike, but I want to see more before I throw my complete support behind you and the RNC again….
davek70 on May 19, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Good points from that speech that I just remembered:
1) he slammed obama on the hypocrisy of eliminating the voucher program for the poor DC kids. Nailed that one
2) he slammed obama for requiring UNION shops to get all the recovery stimulus jobs, making the case for minority owned companies to be shut out of the bidding process, as most are small and non-union. Nailed that one.
That is just what I can remember off the top of my head.
What made this speech effective, is that he laid it all on OBAMA personally. He is not afraid to directly confront him. I hope the sheeple GOP in Congress will find their balls and follow suit. (yeah, even the congress ladies, I want them to find their inner balls and get feisty).
karenhasfreedom on May 19, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Great. Now walk the talk, GOP. Repeal the spendulus.
PattyJ on May 19, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Oh yeah, I forgot about this one. This is a MUST!!!
davek70 on May 19, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Getcha freak aaawwnn
blatantblue on May 19, 2009 at 4:22 PM
The important question is “did the speech alienate Colin Powell?”. If it would alienate Powell and others with “big tent diverse opinions”, how could it be an effective speech?
Buddahpundit on May 19, 2009 at 4:22 PM
He STILL isn’t saying what’s important to say here…that the GOP isn’t going to get less conservative, instead the focus should be to sideline social issues in favor of more important and pressing issues, while convincing the electorate that a conservative view will go much farther in eliminating these problems than the hell bent socialist progressive stance that the democrats are taking.
He’s still going to argue that Obama = bad policy, but at the same time what, offer the same policy, only watered down? The voters aren’t going to bite on that, they’d just re-elect obama.
Steele still loses, GOP loses with Steele.
Spiritk9 on May 19, 2009 at 4:22 PM
But so far the only thing people have been complaining about Steele was what he has said. Being in charge of the RNC, he doesn’t have any real power other than speeches. He can just set the tone of the party to go after Obama, and I think he just did that.
jeffn21 on May 19, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Alas, if words were deeds. Steele’s RNC still backs Crist. Game over.
Angry Dumbo on May 19, 2009 at 4:25 PM
As RNC Chair, he’s directly responsible for party fundraising and apparently he’s been pretty effective at it, despite his penchant for occasionally pissing off the base.
Cicero43 on May 19, 2009 at 4:26 PM
I really wish I could click on it, but if there’s one thing I’ve had enough of in my 32 years: it’s political speeches. All it is is TALK. Someone wake me when there’s veritable action to these words.
Remember a few months ago when Steele proclaimed in his RNC acceptance speech to the Democrats “if you try and obstruct, you’re gonna get run ova” or something like that? Talk. Sick of talk and I’m sick of the whining every day.
RepubChica on May 19, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Have not yet had the chance to see the clip but you all underestimate him a great deal.
Who gives a crap if he uses slang that you think makes him sound silly. I’d rather have him using slang terms here and there but actually knowing what message to send, rather than some jackass who the left has more trouble making fun of representing nothing or saying all the wrong things.
They beat out the DNC with fundraising, and party ID is up now. Those are signs that people have confidence in his agenda.
Joe Caps on May 19, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Well, they need the majority first. It would have been better to filibuster it, but we got stuck with Snarlin’ Arlen and the Pains from Maine.
Steve Z on May 19, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Now compare this speech with his perfromance on MTP on Sunday and Fox News. Would you call Steele’s overall performance since he has assumed the mantle of RNC Chairman consistent?
And do you think that Steele has read the tea leaves, seen the most recent polls regarding pro-life and party ID, witnessed the anger present at the tea parties, fully acknowledged the rumblings within the RNC leadership is coming mainly from the conservative wing of the party, and realizing that Sarah Palin, who endorsed his leadership, is expecting something in return and thus gave a speech that reflected this reality.
Am I claiming he is not sincere? No. But what I am saying it is not consistent and what any objective observer has to ask himself or herself, what will be his take a month from now, two months from now and so on?
technopeasant on May 19, 2009 at 4:28 PM
I don’t have speakers here at work–did he talk about CUTTING SPENDING? THAT will resonate with voters!
Steve Z on May 19, 2009 at 4:29 PM
The speech was good. I watched it live on tv. But that is the easy part. The committment, and follow thru, are the hard part, and I sure hope it’s successful!
capejasmine on May 19, 2009 at 4:29 PM
Steele has delivered many good speeches if you would just listen! He sat in for Bill Bennett for a few days on the radio…WOW he was great!
charmingtail on May 19, 2009 at 4:30 PM
That’s just what I was thinking when I watched the speech live. I mean the part about taking on Obama personally…though you have a point about the GOP finding their inner and outer balls.
CarolynM on May 19, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Not to me.
That is the State Party’s decision. That’s why some are and some aren’t.
Texas Gal on May 19, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Blackwell’s speech at the NRA AM was
betterthe best.mad saint jack on May 19, 2009 at 4:34 PM
steele, my friends, is being delivered in a teabag. you know he’s real. you can see it and feel it. and that’s a wonderful thing.
[MSNBC asked former Republican Rep. Chris Shays what "new ideas" Steele had proposed. Shays responded, "I didn't hear any new ideas. But that's the point - I mean, we need to be talking about ideas."]
sesquipedalian on May 19, 2009 at 4:35 PM
I didn’t know about the fundraising…no wonder RNC salaries are what they are.
Love the brotha’s slang-thang…I’m originally from the Bronx, so I digs that urban talk…and I like to switch it up just like him, too. You have to be comfortable with yourself and confident and that’s what he is. He doesn’t have to fake jacks..he’s being real and I like that.
Speeches are just boring….and I bet now after delivering it he’ll be called on to the lib MSM channels and get beat down by the likes of DL Hughley….or will he?
RepubChica on May 19, 2009 at 4:36 PM
You simply cannot make this stuff up!
benny shakar on May 19, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Eh.
Nice. Not thrilling… but nice.
It was pretty good, some high points in there but overall his delivery sounds like he’s giving his High School oral report on what I did this summer. B- for substance C+ for delivery.
Dash on May 19, 2009 at 4:38 PM
I’ll watch the speech tonight … I hope he did as good as Allah claims.
I’m cheering for Steele – but he’s made some mistakes. I think most of us are willing to still get behind him but only … only if he’s willing to take it to Obama and let him know that we will OPPOSE HIM WITH OUR LAST BREATH.
Party of “NO”? Hell yeah. No Socialism.
HondaV65 on May 19, 2009 at 4:38 PM
GOOD ONE.
Michael Steele hit a home run.
byteshredder on May 19, 2009 at 4:39 PM
One word: Wow!
Well done, Mr. Steele.
baldilocks on May 19, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Watched much of the speech live on FoxNews. Who is this guy? Where did he come from? And thank you for replacing the guy who has been posing as Michael Steele up until now.
Let’s only hope the positive feedback he will receive from conservatives on this speech shows him the way to go forward.
Sugar Land on May 19, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Fo sheezy.
Daggett on May 19, 2009 at 4:43 PM
How about the party of “HELL no.” instead of just “no”
Sugarbuzz on May 19, 2009 at 4:44 PM
How come all your videos are no longer supported by iPhone?
radiofreevillage on May 19, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Wait. My “Webster’s” unabridged doesn’t have that entry.
oldleprechaun on May 19, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Nice , keep it up.
the_nile on May 19, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Daggett on May 19, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Here’s a linky for ya – meant to include it in my earlier post but forgot. Wuzzup.
Brat on May 19, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Is Steele one of those Republicans that has 1 message for the party, and a different message for the rest of the world?
If he can stick to today’s message when speaking to Larry King or DL Hughley, I’ll be very happy indeed.
hawksruleva on May 19, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Not his first good speech. Just his first good one since 2004.
Mark V. on May 19, 2009 at 4:56 PM
You said it, cutie!
blatantblue on May 19, 2009 at 4:58 PM
good sh*t!
i know a lot of folks here at HA don’t like him, but i don’t see where we can fault michael on this speech (the portion above, anyway)!
i have been a fan of his for a while after seeing him on fox many times and reading things that he has written.
he has come out swinging with this speech, and i look forward to more!
homesickamerican on May 19, 2009 at 4:58 PM
yep! i grew up in chicago and i concur. michael is so much more authentic than obama in every way. no contest whatsoever!
homesickamerican on May 19, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Isn’t he just making the tent smaller by expressing actual um, principles that the GOP should stand for? Doesn’t he know that we already drove Colin Powell out of the party? Is he nuts?
Cicero43 on May 19, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Thanks just got finished cleaning up the cheese popcorn/truth.
heshtesh on May 19, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Ok, now if we can get the rest of the R’s making the same speech we’ll have a start.
r keller on May 19, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Now if he can do this on his interviews, things will get better. Has he closed the republican primaries solely for republicans yet?
jencab on May 19, 2009 at 4:18 PM
When….if he doe’s this i will stand and praise this man.
heshtesh on May 19, 2009 at 5:04 PM
?????????
Wait till next week or month or days from now ,when the Gaffe Express returns…
get a grip !
This was just one speech when his position was on the line. c-
jerrytbg on May 19, 2009 at 5:05 PM
Yeah, the speech was good…I hope this marks some kind of shift in his approach to the job.
AUINSC on May 19, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Steele gives good speeches he just sucks at interveiws.
And havent seen anything good out of the RNC lately organizational wise.
William Amos on May 19, 2009 at 5:08 PM
Steele did a good job with the speech. No mention of the life issue, though.
joe_doufu on May 19, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Wow oh wow! Now if he will lead the GOP into actually doing what he says.
katablog.com on May 19, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Still, I think members of the GOP should bash each other and question how cool the party is, just for old time’s sake.
joeindc44 on May 19, 2009 at 5:15 PM
At least someone is calling Obama and the Dems to task and finally getting the message out. It would be nice if he could give such a speech on national TV, as giving it to conservatives won’t have much impact on the idiots who voted for Obama and the Democratic Congress. Nevertheless, it’s a good start.
orlandocajun on May 19, 2009 at 5:16 PM
How you like me now?
cannonball on May 19, 2009 at 5:22 PM
No, that’s John Cornyn’s NRSC that is backing Crist.
Steele has said he will back whomever wins the primary.
sarahpalinfan99 on May 19, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Allah was right! Well done Steele.
javamartini on May 19, 2009 at 5:26 PM
I stopped listening at just after 2 minutes. Why people continue to praise the devil is beyond me.
I hate the man. I can’t stand the man. I can’t wait for him to leave.
To keep feeding his ego, however small, is prolonging the pain this nation has to suffer.
madmonkphotog on May 19, 2009 at 5:27 PM
12-minute long Daily Show hit piece in 3…2…1…
CarpeFishem on May 19, 2009 at 5:32 PM
I hear he has been reading Hot Air and decided to grow a pair………..
……… better late than never.
Seven Percent Solution on May 19, 2009 at 5:37 PM
I liked it. If the rest of the GOP can get on the same page and fight together instead of fragmenting (Megan McFrum & the rest of the RINO circus) it WILL work.
portlandon on May 19, 2009 at 5:38 PM
Loved the speech, watched it in its entirety.. NOW, Republicans/Conservatives NEED TO STICK TOGETHER.. So something about a David Norcross(R) dissing Steele..
reshas1 on May 19, 2009 at 5:39 PM
homesickamerican on May 19, 2009 at 4:58 PM
I like Micahel Steele personally, but that does not prevent me from sugarcoating his perceived deficiencies. He is not a consistent performer; you don’t know what is going to come out of his mouth and that could be perceived as dangerous during a fall midterm campaign if Steele does not shape up by then.
I am convinced that he drives some Republicans absolutely crazy with his inconsistency of message and delivery. What this craziness spawns or if it can be appeased by Steele’s personality is a question that I don’t know the answer to right now.
technopeasant on May 19, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Jackpot.
That’s the Steele I remember from 2006!
PaisleyCow on May 19, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Watched it.
Loved it.
Who was that guy and where’s he been?
tree hugging sister on May 19, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Steele was really good at the NRA convention over the weekend – Delivered a passionate view of not only why to oppose the current admin, but how. Smaked of leadership and got good reviews.
InTheBellyoftheBeast on May 19, 2009 at 5:42 PM
As opposed to “smacked”…
…sorry, couldn’t resist…LOL
ladyingray on May 19, 2009 at 5:52 PM
The dude is good, give him time. To think that everyone here wanted to kick the black dude out.
True_King on May 19, 2009 at 6:07 PM
About GD time…Steele keep up the momentum….oh yeah, Great speech!
Locrian on May 19, 2009 at 6:09 PM
This is what’s frustrating about Michael: before his election, I thought he’d be great, but he’s consistently “stepped in it” since then — and then he gives a speech that shows why I backed him.
It’s a real head-scratcher.
irishspy on May 19, 2009 at 6:09 PM
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