Michael Steele Suggests Criticism Of His Tenure Motivated By Racism
It’s been awhile since Michael Steele has landed himself in the news, but this might stir things up again: In a new interview, Steele bluntly suggests criticism of his tenure — and all the media coverage it’s garnered — may be motivated by racism.
The story, called “Up in the Air,” is in the February issue of Washingtonian magazine, and it isn’t online yet, but here’s the key passage, buried way at the end of the piece, on page 96 of the mag:
Steele acknowledges that at times he has a tendency to take things too far. “And I get checked on that, just as when I was a young boy and I pushed the envelope too far and my Mama was there to check me.”
But there’s an edge to his voice when he talks about a double standard that he believes has been applied by his critics, and he posits racism as the cause: “I don’t see stories about the internal operations of the DNC that I see about this operation. Why? Is it because Michael Steele is the chairman, or is it because a black man is chairman?”
The larger context of the story is the tension created by the fact that Steele continues to take constant criticism, despite the GOP’s undeniable gains and the likelihood of more advances in the future.
There are two ways of reading Steele’s stab at an explanation: Either Steele is suggesting the media gives more ink to the RNC’s inner workings becausea black man is chairman, or he’s suggesting that fellow Republicans are leaking damaging info about the RNC because a black man is chairman.
Either way, it seems at odds with his claim back in November that he doesn’t “play the race card” or “play the race game.”
******************************************
Update: Media Matters Action Network unearths many more examples of Steele condemning Dem race-card playing.
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Well he finally did it. It was inevitable.
GOP can’t play the race card and then turn around and accuse us of doing it.
Thanks, Michael. God you really really have a teeny tiny little brain, dontcha?
Hmm, I think Steele’s problem is that he spends too much time and energy acting like an ignorant, privileged white guy, or at least as a shill for one.
“Believe me, after taxes, a million $ is not a lot of money.”
We don’t hear about the interal workings of the DNC because Tim Kaine isn’t out there giving interviews, Mr. Steele.
That said, I think he’s probably somewhat correct in what he’s saying.
Did he mention that a million dollars really isn’t all that much money, when you get right down to it?
Link: After taxes, a million just isn’t that much money
Shorter Michael Steele : I dare you to fire me, RNC. I triple dog dare you. Now, if you excuse me, I have a ‘debate’ with Harold “Carpetbagger” Ford to attend.
“Shorter Michael Steele : I dare you to fire me, RNC. I triple dog dare you. Now, if you excuse me, I have a ‘debate’ with Harold “Carpetbagger” Ford to attend.”
Really – two of the most irrelevant politicians in the country. The entire debate was one hell of a joke.
You have to love this:
“TWO-FACED
Stimulus Opponents Privately Beg For Government Cash ”
Huffpo’s lede.
Where are the defenders of the GOP’s fiscal responsibility and commitment to small government, hmmmmmmmmmm?
Well Michael, it might have something to do that you lost control of your operation to a bunch of tea baggers in NY-23 and that you have done a horrible job raising money (which is, after all, your real job).
Paul W. – not to mention the endless times Steele has shot himself in both feet on the GOP’s behalf – in effect, shooting the GOP in both feet – almost every time he opens his mouth – like this time!
“Really – two of the most irrelevant politicians in the country. The entire debate was one hell of a joke.”
It was about as entertaining as an episode of Seth Macfarlane’s hack-tastic “The Cleveland Show”.
Seth Macfarlane is single handedly killing comedy.
Sez Michael Steele:
““I don’t see stories about the internal operations of the DNC that I see about this operation. Why? Is it because Michael Steele is the chairman, or is it because a black man is chairman?””
More likely it’s because it’s Maryland Republican is chairman.
Being a Republican from the Free State, even when you set aside the “melanin thing”, is to be a Very Rare Bird.
Maryland’s a funny place. It’s reliably Democrat, but if everyone within a 5 mile limit on either side of the I-95 median strip disappeared into thin air tomorrow, the place would vote Republican as often as Indiana.
To a great number of members in this Great Big Nationwide GOP of ours, a garden -ariety Merlin Republican smells nearly indistinguishable from a John McCain flavor of RINO.
Steele didn’t help himself by the Scozzafava Fiasco…in fact he rather cemented that impression.
“It was about as entertaining as an episode of Seth Macfarlane’s hack-tastic “The Cleveland Show”.
You make me so glad I have never heard of this show.
I think American Dad is great!
“Stimulus Opponents Privately Beg For Government Cash”
SOCIALISTS!!!1!1!!11!
Ethan – polite Socialists – they do their socialism-ing in private.
I think you mean “closet Socialists”…just another facet of Republicanism that remains closeted.
“I think American Dad is great!”
Me too. Patrick Stewart is hilarious on that show. But Macfarlane’s newest causes brain cancer.
So the MSM picks on Steele because he’s black, but would never do that to…uh, the black President?
HAHAHHAHAHAHAHA, I *heart* this guy.
Didn’t the Republican leaders recently call Mr.Steele on the carpet, and advise him to stop making counter-product remarks, such as when he openly stated that he did not see how the Republicans could win back the House in 2010?
Was that the Republican leadership being racist, just because you are a black man, Mr.Steele?
CT Voter – Yeah – see, I was being polite like the Closet Socialists. But it does just fit so well, after all.
Closet Socialists =
Ooo – they are killing each other off in Texas. Now is the time for Bill White to step in -
“The new survey of the Texas gubernatorial race by Public Policy Polling (D) has some bad news for Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who is challenging incumbent Gov. Rick Perry in the Republican primary. Hutchison is now just barely holding on to second place, and could be overtaken for a spot in the primary runoff by businesswoman and conservative activist Debra Medina.
The numbers: Perry 39%, Hutchison 28%, Medina 24%, with a ±4.8% margin of error. If no candidate gets over 50% of the vote in the primary on March 2, a runoff will be held on April 13. Hutchison has previously discussed this possibility — but this poll suggests that there’s a chance that she has to work hard to get into the runoff itself.
From the pollster’s analysis: “Perry is at 39% to 28% for Kay Bailey Hutchison and 24% for Medina. There are major splits within the race along ideological lines. Perry is at 42% with conservatives, and Medina is now outpolling Hutchison with them by a 25-23 margin. Hutchison cleans up with moderates, leading Perry 49-29, but unfortunately for her prospects they account for only 20% of GOP primary voters.”
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/02/poll-hutchison-in-tight-race-for-second-place—-and-a-runoff-slot—-in-tx-gov-republican-primary.php
Back to health care reform.
Spread the word; Keep on repeating this, day and night.
All We Are Asking For Is A Straight Up Or Down Vote. The American People Deserve That.
Raise up your voices. Let me hear you: What do we want?
All We Are Asking For Is A Straight Up Or Down Vote. The American People Deserve That.
Do you not get it, lads? The Irish are the blacks of Europe. And Dubliners are the blacks of Ireland. And the Northside Dubliners are the blacks of Dublin. So say it once, say it loud: I’m black and I’m proud.
What; how did that get in there. That is from the Committments. Sorry Mr. Steele.
Back to health care. Shout it from the rooftops: Let me hear you:
All We Are Asking For Is A Straight Up Or Down Vote. The American People Deserve That.
Say it again:
All We Are Asking For Is A Straight Up Or Down Vote. The American People Deserve That.
How convenient for Michael Steele to so frequently play the race card. Is he playing it against the MSM or the GOP that wants him tossed out?
When he is criticized for being an incompetent foot-in-mouth putz, it is clear evidence of racism. When Obama is called a Kenyan, a socialist, a witch doctor, when jokes are made about his love for fried chicken and watermelon, it’s NOT racism, it is valid criticism.
If I am not mistaken, it would appear that the man of Steele is not being consistent. I do not recall anyone asking to see Mr. Steele’s birth certificate. I’m beginning to believe that if someone burned a cross on the White House lawn that Mr. Steele would think that too was valid criticism of President Obama.
Obama on C-span btw.
http://www.c-span.org/Watch/C-SPAN.aspx
Someone should ask Chairman Steele if the name Howard Dean rings any bells. (Or if perhaps he suspects Dean is secretly black.)
Dear Utterly-failed Media, CONTEXT PLZZZZ!
Matt Yglesias puts yesterday’s poll which showed 33% of Iowans support the “tea party” movement into context, noting that “38% of Americans have a favorable view of Cuba and 36% are favorably disposed toward socialism, but I don’t see anyone writing newspaper articles about how a populist wave of socialism is sweeping the country.”
“The number of Iowans who like the tea party movement is smaller than the number of Americans who want marijuana legalized or the number of Americans who believe the government has had secret contact with extra-terrestrials.”
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/02/09/the_tea_party_in_context.html
Gee, the Obama people said the same thing about those of us who questioned him in 2008.
Carolyn Kay
MakeThemAccountable.com
Thanks for the CSpan link:
Hey GOP, hey Trolls: here’s the thing: “you are entitled to our own opinion; you are not entitled to our own “facts.”
I love this president.
your own ‘facts.’
dammit
And he’s also saying again that bipartisanship does not mean “the Democrats do everything their way.”
“# Carolyn Kay | February 9th, 2010 at 01:57 pm
Gee, the Obama people said the same thing about those of us who questioned him in 2008.
Carolyn Kay
MakeThemAccountable.com”
gee, you post remarkably few – as in no – links for someone who is making people accountable.
Gasman:
“When Obama is called a Kenyan, a socialist, a witch doctor, when jokes are made about his love for fried chicken and watermelon, it’s NOT racism, it is valid criticism.”
Insofar as the Kenyan and the socialism things go, they may just be factual.
Witch doctor? I think I’d prefer him to BE a witch doctor rather than a member of Rev. Wright’s flock.
And as for the fried chicken and watermelon…hey, he does have SOME good taste!
Ethan–great numbers.
Tena:
And he’s also saying again that bipartisanship does not mean “the Democrats do everything their way.”
Does not mean Democrats do everything THEIR way, or that Democrats do everything the Republicans way??
All, Obama rebuked Boehner in their private meeting, charges him with just wanting to kill all his initiatives:
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/senate-republicans/obama-to-boehner-republicans-just-want-to-kill-all-my-initiatives/
Bilgerman,
Your earlier post was actually civil and made a point.
Then you chime in with idiotic racist drivel. I should have known better than to expect anything other than loathsome imbecility from you.
Have you noticed how few people, even paranoid teabaggers, are actually still clinging to Rev. Wright?
Republican Sarah Palin’s WITCH chasing Preacher:
http://www.google.com/search?q=Sarah+Palin+witch+Preacher
Apparently Republican Palin’s Preacher gathered a mob that drove a poor woman out of town that the Preacher had declared a “witch”.
You want to continue comparing Preachers?
Republican Preacher Pat Robertson (R-Mammon) has repeatedly said bigoted, murderous, and crazy things.
The late lunatic Preacher Jerry Falwell was a vicious bigot.
Republican Preacher John Hagee has used his sermons to claim that God sent Hitler.
Hagee’s vicious insanity was embraced by faux-moderate Republican McCain.
Talking about ‘the company Republicans keep’:
I think Steele is aiming his charges at liberal white Democrats who are criticizing him. It’s deplorable, since it smacks of hypocrisy when Republicans defend themselves from the ridiculous charges from libs that GOP attacks on Obama were racially motivated.
He has to go.
I always thought this guy is a girly man.
Gasman:
“Have you noticed how few people, even paranoid teabaggers, are actually still clinging to Rev. Wright?”
And this matters…how?
Oh, I forgot. Most of moonbattery is all about running with the “in crowd”.
I could care less if everyone ignores and/or has forgotten Rev. Wright’s vicious hate, and that Obama sat in his pews for over twenty years.
It was what it was, and it is what it is…
Hey Steele, the problem is not that you are black. It’s that you aren’t black enough. We need Jules Winnfield in times like this. Not Carlton Banks from the Fresh Prince.
Brother – CONSERVATIVES freed slaves from slavery. We believe in freedom for all. Conservatives are an Equal Opportunity Employers – employers who employ God’s principles equally to all.
“Bilgeman” is the militant right wing extremist who repeatedly bragged that he wants to cut America up into little pieces (just like the terrorists) and return to the days of slavery.
“Bilgeman” is a perfect representative of the extremism of the Republican Party, he’s even called himself and his friends “Rethuglikkkans and neo-Confederates”.
Worse than the malignancy of right wing extremists like “Bilgeman” is the failure of other right wingers to call out his militant racism.
It’s the same pattern:
Republican Sarah Palin openly embraced the Corporate funded Tea Party racists who cheered Republican Tom Tancredo’s racist policies.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/vp/35304909#35304909
No Michael we don’t like you because you’re a pretentious jerky jerk face!
When is Obama going to take money from these rich people and give it to me already!? What is taking so long!? I want to relax and be a good person helping fluffy animals, but I don’t have time to do that because I have to work part time under the table to avoid taxes. Meanwhile all the productive, hard-working people are getting ahead because they keep a lot of their own money. Man, this country stinks and is unfair! You better get me my free health care and other stuff soon Obama!
I Dream of a day when we can judge people by the stupid things they keep saying rather than the color of thier skin…..sob!
Michael Steele, I say this as a man of color (is sweet caramel a color?), you are a moron. It’s your moronisity, er, your moronicality,…uhm, moronness — you’re an idiot, sir, and this and ONLY THIS is why you get so much flack. You are an imbecile and now you’ve cavalierly played the race-card. Worse yet, you’ve done it against your own — Republicnas! The race-baiting Left has abused the race-card, pummelled Republicans unfairly for years, and now here you come and lend a little credibility to the false charge. Quit now before you are forced to fire you. And we all know the only reason you haven’t been fired is because of the race-card that will inevitably get played against Republicans when it happnes. But now you’ve played it, so there’s little reason to keep you on the job. What an idiot you are.
Greg, I wonder why that’s the key passage of the piece, besides the fact that it generates traffic and sounds controversial? I’m interested to know about how the chairmanship has gone for Michael Steele, and thus far (I suppose I could go read conservative blogs, but I dislike doing so), it has been a constant drumbeat of taking one or two things he says and making them out to be the biggest deal in the world. Whereas I might argue it is a bigger deal that the GOP seems to show no leadership or interest in governing and is just saying “no” to all legislation supported by Obama.
And, frankly, I think a lot of bloggers and commentators are going after him incessantly because – and I am trying to be clear here – he is a black man, a Republican, a Republican leader, more moderate than many in his party, and kind of a nerdy guy with a goofy sense of humor, all at once. And these things together don’t match up with the categories people have in their heads, and they’ve made him more of a target than he deserves to be. I have no doubt that some of it comes from conservatives and Republicans themselves.
Michael Steele is not under fire because of his race, it’s because he is an idiot. I spoke with him a few weeks ago and told him to start acting like a leader instead of a troublemaker. To publicly say he doesn’t think the GOP can’t take either the Congress or Senate in 2010 is REALLY STUPID coming from the Chairman of the GOP. Also, stop with this race baiting. We didn’t ELECT you because you are black and WHEN we fire you it will ALSO not be because you are black.
Michael Steeele, as RNC Chairman, is the ultimate insider, and this is not a good election cycle to be an insider or incumbent. Let it go.
Understanding Michael Steele is a little easier when you find out who’s coaching him:
http://bit.ly/3ppyiu
(satire)
MuBarack Hussien Osama,
A history lesson for you: In the context of the mid 19th Century, the conservatives were the SLAVE OWNERS. The nascent Republican Party were the LIBERALS. Read a bit of history and it is abundantly clear that the charge of “abolitionist” was a conservative insult directed at anti-slavery Republicans.
You are absolutely free to have your own opinions, but not your own facts. Cite any credible historical text which casts the abolitionists as conservatives.
>>>>Gee, the Obama people said the same thing about those of us who questioned him in 2008
>>gee, you post remarkably few – as in no – links for someone who is making people accountable.
Gee, if you need a link as “proof” that Clinton supporters were called racists in 2008, then you need to start paying more attention.
Carolyn Kay
MakethemAccountable.com