Hat tip to RealClear Politics:
On Friday, Michael Steele guest hosted Bill Bennett’s radio show – and he got into a conversation with a caller on the subject of Mitt Romney’s presidential candidacy. This caller – “Jay” (not me!) – had suggested that Mitt Romney could have won the general election, but that liberals had co-opted the Republican nomination by backing John McCain.
This is how Michael Steele responded:
“Yeah, but let me ask you. Ok, Jay, I’m there with you. But remember, it was the base that rejected Mitt because of his switch on pro-life, from pro-choice to pro-life. It was the base that rejected Mitt because it had issues with Mormonism. It was the base that rejected Mitch, Mitt, because they thought he was back and forth and waffling on those very economic issues you’re talking about. So, I mean, I hear what you’re saying, but before we even got to a primary vote, the base had made very clear they had issues with Mitt because if they didn’t, he would have defeated John McCain in those primaries in which he lost.”
This is a very unfortunate comment, and I think it demonstrates Steele’s key weakness as party chairman.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/horseraceblog/2009/05/its_time_for_michael_steele_to.html
At first, I thought Steele would be a great GOP leader. At the time, (February 2009) I wrote this:
Steele has a tough job ahead of him. He needs to emphasize qualities that make the GOP a great political coalition, and get back in touch with the conservative base. It also wouldn’t hurt to perhaps include some Libertarian concepts to create a more successful platform.
Some advice for Michael Steele and the GOP, as well as comments about the way our government is managed and the direction of our country:
There are no simple, perfect solutions to the complications of American government or society, especially given the special interests and political brawls between the parties. Forget about bi-partisanship. There’s no such thing. Right now, the leftwing Democrat majority will do everything it can to inflict socialism on our economy and take us into another depression. They intend to eviscerate our national security to ‘improve our image’ for the benefit of Euro effetes and hostile muslim countries. Members of their party including Nancy Pelosi, Dennis Kucinich, Jim McDermott, David Bonior, and Mike Thompson, sucked up to our enemies in pre-war Iraq and Syria in direct violation of the Logan Act and Article III of the Constitution, thus proving their disloyalty to the United States.
……They not only discount the reasons as to why we have to fight the enemy where they live and breed, but they refuse to strengthen the counter-terrorism methods which kept this country safe for seven years after 9/11. Democrats have more sympathy for Islamic terrorists than the American servicemembers fighting on this nation’s behalf. They rely on the latest Eurotrash Poll instead of what’s right for America and freedom. Take that as a clue.
Rally the Republican base and take a stand. Fight the Democrats and their Obamessiah tooth and nail and do your best to stop them from destroying this country.
……I like Michael Steele. He has good basic values, he’s intelligent, articulate, principled, and an experienced leader and politician. I think he just might be the candidate to reinvigorate the GOP. I would love to see our party steer the country back to our roots of rugged individualism, personal accountability, and a common sense approach to helping those in need as opposed to creating an Obama style “only government is big enough to solve this problem” Nanny State.
We’ll have to wait and see.
http://sfcmac.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/some-advice-for-rnc-chairman-michael-steele-and-the-gop/
As of late, Steele has done more dividing than uniting. Instead of capitalizing on GOP strengths and galvanizing the base, he chooses to make petty accusations on minor doctrinal differences. I’ll admit, I’m a bit leery of Mormons, but that’s not why I didn’t like Romney. His politics are like a damned revolving door. He talks the Conservative talk on the issues, but doesn’t walk the walk; as governor he practiced big government.
I defended Steele for as long as I could. It’s time for him to step down.