NationStates Jolt Archive

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/republicans

Well, well, well... The first Black Dem president is followed by the first bclack RNC chairman.

Cynical move by the RNC or not?

Gotta wonder at the timing I admit.

Still, supposedly Steele was the most moderate of the candidates, a sign that the GOP realizes that playing to the base won't work to win over the independents needed to win elections. On the other hand though, I wonder if this was done to a. Sort of show a "Look! We can do it too! See? The GOP isn't racist!" thing in response to President Obama and b. remove any chance that the race card will be played by Obama's supporters when the RNC chair starts launching broadsides.

Haven't you heard? African-American is the new black.

Um, Steele was considered a rising star in the GOP back when the best the Democrats could field was Al Gore, and Dems were calling Clinton a "black" president (whatever the hell that meant.) There was talk in '98 about running him for President in 2000, and in 2006 people were floating his name as a possible nominee to beat Hillary.

Some republicans actually speculated that Obama got fast-tracked to go up against Steele in 2007.

Further, Republicans were floating Colin Powell as a candidate in '96, but he turned it down, and he turned it down again for the 2000 race (I wonder what would have gone differently if it had been Powell-Bush instead of Bush-Cheney in 2000, or if it had been Powell and Dole in '96, or if it had been Steele-Bush in 2000... we'll never know.)

Nah, he's been in the works for a while. If anything, it weakens the chance of race-based politics in future elections, something that undoubtedly influenced the 2008 election significantly in Obama's favor. He didn't play the race card, and I credit him for that, but it's utterly ridiculous to believe the fact that he was black didn't play a gigantic role towards gaining additional support from voters.

Nah, he's been in the works for a while. If anything, it weakens the chance of race-based politics in future elections, something that undoubtedly influenced the 2008 election significantly in Obama's favor. He didn't play the race card, and I credit him for that, but it's utterly ridiculous to believe the fact that he was black didn't play a gigantic role towards gaining additional support from voters.
Prove it.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/republicans

Well, well, well... The first Black Dem president is followed by the first bclack RNC chairman.

Cynical move by the RNC or not?

It's interesting that the Democratic Party and the U.S. can elect a black man President and except for some rather bitter windbags in the Republican Party, nobody believes race mattered. Yet when the Republicans choose a black RNC chairman, race mattered, even among Republicans. So I wonder; Has people's opinions of the Republican Party has really sunk that low- even among Republicans?

It's interesting that the Democratic Party and the U.S. can elect a black man President and except for some rather bitter windbags in the Republican Party, nobody believes race mattered. Yet when the Republicans choose a black RNC chairman, race mattered, even among Republicans. So I wonder; Has people's opinions of the Republican Party has really sunk that low- even among Republicans?
Yes. :tongue:

But, like I said, the thing I noticed first was that he is supposed to be the most moderate in the field.

The race thing hot afterwards and it just might be my natural cynicism coming though.

Prove it.

That conversation reminds me of the very strange airbrushed t-shirts that I see on the bus when I'm going to work that read "Barack OBAMA: Gen-u-ine Gangster".

Every time I see one I feel like I should tell the person wearing it that Obama is actually a bit of a nerd and wonk (who collects comic books), and without a doubt has more in common with me than with some strange concept of "Gen-u-ine Gangster".

That conversation reminds me of the very strange airbrushed t-shirts that I see on the bus when I'm going to work that read "Barack OBAMA: Gen-u-ine Gangster".

Every time I see one I feel like I should tell the person wearing it that Obama is actually a bit of a nerd and wonk (who collects comic books), and without a doubt has more in common with me than with some strange concept of "Gen-u-ine Gangster".

Obama does comics? AWESOME! :D

Obama does comics? AWESOME! :D
Didn't you read about Obama and Spiderman?

Hell, America has its first Trekkie-in-Chief right now. :D

Didn't you read about Obama and Spiderman?

Hell, America has its first Trekkie-in-Chief right now. :D

Taro Aso, Barack Obama...

You know, I get the feeling that my hobbies will be more respected in a few years! :D

Taro Aso, Barack Obama...

You know, I get the feeling that my hobbies will be more respected in a few years! :D

I'll still wedgie you. ;)

I'll still wedgie you. ;)

I'll still make more money than you in the long run and end up with the girl. ;)

I'll still make more money than you in the long run and end up with the girl. ;)

:eek:

:(

isnt it more interesting that it came down to the black guy and the guy who had to quit his white only country club?

rnc chairman isnt the biggest job around eh? they didnt have a great assortment of candidates to choose from. i suppose it IS encouraging that they chose a moderate (as republicans go).

my cynicism goes so low that i wonder if it will alienate a bunch of the remaining republican base.

All of you are under the mistaken assumption that the average republican knows:

What the RNC is.
Who Michael Steele is.
Why the RNC matters.

I'll still make more money than you in the long run and end up with the girl. ;)
...and bruised balls.

I hear LG is an expert of nether region demolition.


As for the OP, my first reaction was along the lines' of Nervun's post:
Gotta wonder at the timing I admit.

That conversation reminds me of the very strange airbrushed t-shirts that I see on the bus when I'm going to work that read "Barack OBAMA: Gen-u-ine Gangster".
Are you sure you're irony detector is working properly?
I'll still wedgie you. ;)
Sez the man who claims "physics" among his hobbies/interests. And you dress up funny in public.

It does seem a little "me too!", but I'll take on faith those who've posted here saying that Steele was in the works for a while. I'm not in the mood for an argument, and any National Committee Chairmanship is basically a manager, not a policy setter (nor a Gordon, English or Irish Setter, neither).

It does seem a little "me too!", but I'll take on faith those who've posted here saying that Steele was in the works for a while. I'm not in the mood for an argument, and any National Committee Chairmanship is basically a manager, not a policy setter (nor a Gordon, English or Irish Setter, neither).
You jsut compared a black man to a dog! OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!RACIST!!!!

You jsut compared a black man to a dog! OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!RACIST!!!!

See, now I know he's kidding. One-Oh-One, take a lesson.

Fidds, I think you need a woofy companion. Go to your local shelter and see if they have and Policy Setters.

That conversation reminds me of the very strange airbrushed t-shirts that I see on the bus when I'm going to work that read "Barack OBAMA: Gen-u-ine Gangster".

Every time I see one I feel like I should tell the person wearing it that Obama is actually a bit of a nerd and wonk (who collects comic books), and without a doubt has more in common with me than with some strange concept of "Gen-u-ine Gangster".

Wonk? Another feckin word for me to look up.....

Seems utterly pragmatic to me...Cant exactly keep having an All White party and expect to win, eh?

Wonk? Another feckin word for me to look up.....

No need -- it's basically "nerd" as applied to someone who is respected for his nerdiness because the nerd in question studies the crap out of their favorite topic, and that topic happens to be useful to those who dole out the nicknames.

In short, a very useful, sometimes political, nerd.

Sez the man who claims "physics" among his hobbies/interests. And you dress up funny in public.

I also wedgie jocks. I usually get my ass kicked afterward, but I wedgie them anyway. :)

"The republicans picked a black guy" is not as important as "The republicans picked the most moderate guy". Keep in mind that the US as a whole is shifting to the left, which is good -- I won't be surprised if the rightmost fringe breaks off and forms the Mega-Hyper-Ultra-Conservative party or something, only for it to fail miserably.

Nah, he's been in the works for a while. If anything, it weakens the chance of race-based politics in future elections, something that undoubtedly influenced the 2008 election significantly in Obama's favor. He didn't play the race card, and I credit him for that, but it's utterly ridiculous to believe the fact that he was black didn't play a gigantic role towards gaining additional support from voters.

Blacks overwhelmingly vote for Dems. People who suggest he got the race vote are not paying attention to reality.

It's ridiculous to claim that a desire to have a black president overwhelmed the undercurrent of racism in this country, particularly when exit polling suggested the opposite in both the primaries and the election.

isnt it more interesting that it came down to the black guy and the guy who had to quit his white only country club?

rnc chairman isnt the biggest job around eh? they didnt have a great assortment of candidates to choose from. i suppose it IS encouraging that they chose a moderate (as republicans go).

my cynicism goes so low that i wonder if it will alienate a bunch of the remaining republican base.
I think you are right that the appointment of Mr. Steele as Chairman of the RNC will alienate the republican base of right-wing, born-reborn again and again, gun-toting, KKK'rs (the ones that came out in droves during the McCain/Palin frenzy, scaring McCain and Palin so much he felt the need to tamp it down).

On the other hand, I am hoping that Mr. Steele, who by all reports is a moderate, will be able to provide a better republican agenda than what we have seen for 8 years and during these first few weeks of Obama's presidency. They really are quite bankrupt in ideas--following Rush Limbaugh and continuing the "trickle down" theory mantra that got us all into this in the first place.

On the other hand, I am hoping that Mr. Steele, who by all reports is a moderate, will be able to provide a better republican agenda than what we have seen for 8 years and during these first few weeks of Obama's presidency. They really are quite bankrupt in ideas--following Rush Limbaugh and continuing the "trickle down" theory mantra that got us all into this in the first place.

Steele isn't a moderate. I saw him on a news blip and he was spouting the typical conservative lines.

I think you are right that the appointment of Mr. Steele as Chairman of the RNC will alienate the republican base of right-wing, born-reborn again and again, gun-toting, KKK'rs (the ones that came out in droves during the McCain/Palin frenzy, scaring McCain and Palin so much he felt the need to tamp it down).

On the other hand, I am hoping that Mr. Steele, who by all reports is a moderate, will be able to provide a better republican agenda than what we have seen for 8 years and during these first few weeks of Obama's presidency. They really are quite bankrupt in ideas--following Rush Limbaugh and continuing the "trickle down" theory mantra that got us all into this in the first place.
they need to be pulled out of the abyss they have fallen into. i dont know if mr steele can help but he sure cant hurt. they need someone who has at least a toe-hold on reality.

they need to be pulled out of the abyss they have fallen into. i dont know if mr steele can help but he sure cant hurt. they need someone who has at least a toe-hold on reality.
Great minds think alike!

Steele isn't a moderate. I saw him on a news blip and he was spouting the typical conservative lines.
Well, if that is the case, then he and the RNC will continue to go down, down, down.

He won by fourteen votes, which would be heartening if he wasn't running against someone who went into politics because he thought desegregation was a bad idea.

I'd like to believe that the man was picked for his other qualifications, but I can't help but suspect that the GOP really believes their own garbage about Obama winning because he was black, and that they can win back the country simply by picking dark skinned people for positions of power. In short, I think their was probably a good amount of (simple-minded) cynicism to it.

The real evidence of this trend will probably be if they pick Jindal for President in four years.

Well, if that is the case, then he and the RNC will continue to go down, down, down.

"Bush is my homeboy."

That is leading the Republican Party now.

'Nuff said.

He won by fourteen votes, which would be heartening if he wasn't running against someone who went into politics because he thought desegregation was a bad idea.

Im honestly suprised that guy lost. Especially by 14 votes.

Im honestly suprised that guy lost. Especially by 14 votes.

Well, I think we've reached the point where most of the GOP doesn't support segregation. At least not publicly.;)

"Bush is my homeboy."

That is leading the Republican Party now.

'Nuff said.
I don't think "Bush is my homeboy" is what is leading the republican party. I think it is a combination of "back business at all costs," "wall street bonuses will trickle down someday" and "rich white men in positions of high power know better than the masses."

If none of that changes, many of them will end up in jail and the party itself will be bust, just like the country.

God Help Me--He is Coming To New York!

Mayor Bloomberg, aka "We Can't Make It In New York Without Wall Street Bonuses and Laying Off The Middle and Lower Classes" will Love This Guy--

Steele wants to install a republican in upstate New York, not difficult as upstate NY IS republican. Rep. Gillibrand, an upstate republican state congresswoman, was recently appointed to Hillary Clinton's State Senate Seat by our seat-holding Democratic Governor Paterson, who became Governor after serving about 1 year as Lt. Governor under Spitzer. Doesn't seem Steele is too much of a power broker and is not setting his sights too high if he is going after a republican seat in upstate NY--it is a sure win:

"Jan. 30: Republican National Committee Michael Steele said he is focused on three races in his effort to rebuild the GOP after it endured worrying losses in November's elections that gave Democrats control of Congress and the White House.

Steele, Maryland's former lieutenant governor and the first black to head the RNC, said one of the most critical battles for the GOP is to capture New York's 20th congressional seat formerly held by U.S. Sen. Kristen Gillibrand, D-N.Y.

"It is the first of a series of races that are coming up that are going to be incredibly important," Steele said in remarks Saturday to the Republican House Retreat in Hot Springs, Va.

Steele said he will be in New York next week for a meeting with Republican state leadership to "map out the strategy to take that seat."

"That win will send a powerful signal to the rest of the country and especially those folks in the elite media who think they know so much more than the rest of us," he said.

"Our game is not up ... our message still rings true with countless Americans, specifically with those in the 20th congressional district," he added.

The Republican chairman said the GOP's second focus will be on winning the governorship in both Virginia and New Jersey, along with other state offices.

"That is our fight," he said of the two races.

Steele also stressed the importance of winning "reapportionment races at the state level."

"We got a lot of work ahead of us," he said. "We've got to map a strategy to preserve what we have, take what we want and continue to move forward ... (and) reaffirm and reestablish with the American people a sense of trust, a sense of commitment, a sense of opportunity."

Steele was elected as the RNC chairman on Friday, defeating the incumbent party chief and three other challengers over six rounds of voting to become the first black to lead the GOP.

"As a little boy growing up in this town, this is awesome," said Steele, the most moderate candidate in the field.

Steele, who had been considered an outsider by some because he was not a committee member, struck a tone of inclusiveness in his brief acceptance speech Friday.

"We're going to say to friend and foe alike: We want you to be a part of us, we want you to with be with us, and for those who wish to obstruct, get ready to get knocked over," he said.

Steele replaces Mike Duncan, who abandoned his re-election bid in the face of dwindling support midway through Friday's voting."

Or just the to re-energise the party and win back independents

Who cares why Steele got the spot, the important thing is that he got there without Affirmative Action! :D

Or just the to re-energise the party and win back independents
Not likely to happen--only upstate NY is republican--and they have lost their seats in the state senate in the last election--Steele and his comrades will have to convince the majority of New Yorkers who do not live upstate to go completely 100% the other way, and that is not likely. Wishful thinking on your part!

Or just the to re-energise the party and win back independents
The republicans even lost Mayor Bloomberg who was originally a democrat (like Giuliani) but then switched to republican to get their money to run, and then switched again to independent because he could not support the republican platform and win in this town/state.

Who cares why Steele got the spot, the important thing is that he got there without Affirmative Action! :D

Sean Hannity, if you're up their sitting on the right-hand of the our lord, Ronald Reagan please grant me this one wish and ask Steele his thoughts on affirmative action and promise to kill 20% less babies

Sean Hannity, if you're up their sitting on the right-hand of the our lord, Ronald Reagan please grant me this one wish and ask Steele his thoughts on affirmative action and promise to kill 20% less babies
HUH? Better check out the economic condition of upstate NY now and before Wall Street and banks and financial systems crashed--I don't think affirmative action and abortion are on their top 10 list these days. . . .

Bloomberg is Republican In Name Only. I think he most democratic it is just that was the only party that was available at the time. He is pragmatic to the extreme.



Mr Steele might do okay in New England just not New York. New York, you can color us in as Blue and then break the pencil. Parts of New Jersey might go if you get the right candidate. Connecticut might if you get the right candidate.

I don't think the Republican Party has realized they need to change more than their face to really get back in the mainstream.

Sean Hannity, if you're up their sitting on the right-hand of the our lord, Ronald Reagan please grant me this one wish and ask Steele his thoughts on affirmative action and promise to kill 20% less babies

Did Sean Hannity die? You'd think that would have made more headlines.

I don't know anything about the man ok.. But I know who you are talking about because I caught this on C-Span. I haven't looked up anything.

One of the first thoughts in my mind when watching him was .... he looks like a white/indian(dot)/MidEastern guy with a shit load of makeup on him to make him look black.

Bloomberg is Republican In Name Only. I think he most democratic it is just that was the only party that was available at the time. He is pragmatic to the extreme.

He's not a Republican, he is independent.

As for the OP question, it was a vote. Maybe a few voted for him because he was black, maybe some voted against him because he was. There were probably a variety of motivations for the vote. I never heard of the cat, but then I hadn't heard of whoever he replaced. I'm not as interested in 'guessing' or projecting the reasoning as I am what he's going to do with his position.

Did Sean Hannity die? You'd think that would have made more headlines.

If, it's my wish list.

He's not a Republican, he is independent.

As for the OP question, it was a vote. Maybe a few voted for him because he was black, maybe some voted against him because he was. There were probably a variety of motivations for the vote. I never heard of the cat, but then I hadn't heard of whoever he replaced. I'm not as interested in 'guessing' or projecting the reasoning as I am what he's going to do with his position.
First Bloomberg was a Democrat, then he switched to being republican when he ran for mayor, now he is an indepdent. He changes with the wind depending on the advantage or disadvantage he gains from being affiliated with any party. Clearly, he decided being a republican was a disadvantage, which was why he became an independent, as he could not switch back to democrat after taking the republican money to run. Giuliani did the same thing (former democrat now a republican), but he has not become an independent yet.

I hope Steele does do something with his new position as most people of any color or who simply do not fall into the categories of rich and white realize all too well that the republican party offers them nothing and does not have their interests at heart.

The Republican Party doesn't care about the color of your skin. Only the contents of your wallet.

If, it's my wish list.

Ah. I thought the "if" related to being by the right hand of the Lord. Were I to put any stock in that kind of afterlife, I'd wager he would go someplace a bit warmer.

Fail.

This is as stupid as McCain select Palin, people are not going to vote for you because of color or gender, stop living in the fucking 50's and grow up Republican party

OK--I just saw Steele say he is considering Rush Limbaugh's remarks and the RNC also has to consider Rush Limbaugh's remarks. If this is the direction Steele wants to go in, I am very happy as a democrat, but really, he would not have my vote if I was a republican trying to expand the party base.

OK--I just saw Steele say he is considering Rush Limbaugh's remarks and the RNC also has to consider Rush Limbaugh's remarks. If this is the direction Steele wants to go in, I am very happy as a democrat, but really, he would not have my vote if I was a republican trying to expand the party base.
im still hoping that he's starting off slow. the "everything we have been doing so far is good good good" thing isnt going to help the party at all. maybe he just wants to settle in and steer the party in another direction without them panicking that the black guy is a socialist.

Fail.

This is as stupid as McCain select Palin, people are not going to vote for you because of color or gender, stop living in the fucking 50's and grow up Republican party

Really? really? Man, damn if you do, damn if you don't huh? If they picked a white chairman, people will be bitching, if they picked a black chairman, people will be bitching. Also the fact that they picked a black chairman kinda proves that they're not living in the 1950s...

Really? really? Man, damn if you do, damn if you don't huh? If they picked a white chairman, people will be bitching, if they picked a black chairman, people will be bitching. Also the fact that they picked a black chairman kinda proves that they're not living in the 1950s...
If they picked a white chairman who wanted the party to listen to Rush Limbaugh, no one would be surprised. But watching an Afro-American person suck up to Rush Limbaugh is quite surprising! I don't think he is going to expand that vote for the republicans, or the hispanic vote, or the woman vote, or the youth vote or any other vote than what that party already has. Pity :) :)

Really? really? Man, damn if you do, damn if you don't huh? If they picked a white chairman, people will be bitching, if they picked a black chairman, people will be bitching. Also the fact that they picked a black chairman kinda proves that they're not living in the 1950s...
no one would think anything if a white guy was chosen as chair of the RNC.

no one would think anything if a white guy was chosen as chair of the RNC.
That is right, and they would not be surprised if he stated publicly that the party should listen to Rush Limbaugh. It is surprising to hear Steele do it though! He must not have a lot of support in the RNC.

im still hoping that he's starting off slow. the "everything we have been doing so far is good good good" thing isnt going to help the party at all. maybe he just wants to settle in and steer the party in another direction without them panicking that the black guy is a socialist.

Looks like he may be a moderate. He seems to want to take the republican party into the modern world kicking and screaming. At least if the following article is to be believed.

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Steele_GOP_should_reach_out_to_0201.html

Steele: GOP should reach out to supporters of gay rights, abortion

David Edwards and Jeremy Gantz
Published: Sunday February 1, 2009

Nearly three months after stinging losses at the polls, the Republican Party is starting to seem a bit more like the Democratic Party.

The newly elected chairman of the Republican National Committee, the first African-American ever to hold that position, says his party must do a better job of courting candidates and voters who support gay marriage and are pro-choice.

"I think that's an important opportunity for us, absolutely. Within our party we do have those who have that view," Michael Steele told Fox's Chris Wallace Sunday morning.

Steele, a former Maryland lieutenant governor, was elected chairman of his party on Friday, after six rounds of voting.

His victory incensed former Republican Louisiana State Representative (and former Ku Klux Klan member) David Duke, who called Steele a "racist."

"I am glad these traitorous leaders of the Republican Party appointed this Black racist, affirmative action advocate to the head of the Republican party," Duke told a Washington Post reporter.

"This will lead to a huge revolt among the Republican base. As a former Republican official, I can tell you that millions of rank-and-file Republicans are mad as hell and aren’t going to take it anymore! We will either take the Republican Party back over the next four years or we will say, “To Hell With the Republican Party!”

Steele said Sunday morning that he's "not in the mood" to have people stand in the way of changing the party. "My goal is to move this party forward. We're in the business of winning elections," he said.

This video is from Fox's Fox News Sunday, broadcast Feb. 1, 2009.

"This will lead to a huge revolt among the Republican base. As a former Republican official, I can tell you that millions of rank-and-file Republicans are mad as hell and aren’t going to take it anymore! We will either take the Republican Party back over the next four years or we will say, “To Hell With the Republican Party!”Yes, please. Let the few million nutjobs split and form their own party. They'll be a weak third-party, then.

Steele said Sunday morning that he's "not in the mood" to have people stand in the way of changing the party. "My goal is to move this party forward. We're in the business of winning elections," he said.He sounds alright.

His victory incensed former Republican Louisiana State Representative (and former Ku Klux Klan member) David Duke, who called Steele a "racist."

"I am glad these traitorous leaders of the Republican Party appointed this Black racist, affirmative action advocate to the head of the Republican party," Duke told a Washington Post reporter.

"This will lead to a huge revolt among the Republican base. As a former Republican official, I can tell you that millions of rank-and-file Republicans are mad as hell and aren’t going to take it anymore! We will either take the Republican Party back over the next four years or we will say, “To Hell With the Republican Party!”


if david duke hates him he cant be all bad.

if david duke hates him he cant be all bad.

*lol* QFT

I'm beginning to wonder if the republican party will survive all of this.

*lol* QFT

I'm beginning to wonder if the republican party will survive all of this.

Would it be so horrible if it didn't?

Would it be so horrible if it didn't?

Not for me.

Not for me.

And not for people like me that craves an end to two-party politics.

And not for people like me that craves an end to two-party politics.

Indeed. My partner and I argue about this often. I'd prefer a multiparty system while he thinks the two party system we have is ideal. Actually I think he'd prefer a one party system (Republicans only). There has been much gnashing of teeth here since the election. :D A socialist and a reactionary under the same roof. What fun.

It sounds sort of cynical but it is good if this further splits the Republican Party, at least their finally to an extent willing to throw some of the crazy ignorant racists overboard. You would think after awhile these racists would feel behind by a few years and out of touch, or ignorant. I live in a southern state and it is going to be interesting to watch what happens. Some people literally act oblivious to the news, and no one asks to switch the channel to Fox News any more. I think their further isolating themselves from reality.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/republicans

Well, well, well... The first Black Dem president is followed by the first bclack RNC chairman.

Cynical move by the RNC or not?
Uhm ...

YES.
Pathetic, at that.