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2009-01-31 Home Front: Politix

Michael Steele becomes first black RNC chairman

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Posted by Fred 2009-01-31 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11133 views ] Top

#1 Bravo, the Republican Party finally gets one right!

Posted by AzCat 2009-01-31 02:20|| 2009-01-31 02:20|| Front Page Top

#2 The Trunks are like the economy, at a certain point the only way that remains is up. Real change usually comes after a major disaster. Not that they'd listen, but I'd recommend the development of a 'lessons learned' cell to document fundamentals so you don't have to keep relearning from the same mistakes over and over again. You also need a mechanism to make sure you don't slip back into bad habits once you fix what needs fixing. Of course, all that requires a degree of intelligent self reflection that egos at that level seem particularly resistant to.

Posted by Procopius2k 2009-01-31 08:39|| 2009-01-31 08:39|| Front Page Top

#3 Mike is intelligent, witty, and handsome. He's going to be a first-class asset to the Pubs.

Posted by Fred 2009-01-31 09:16|| 2009-01-31 09:16|| Front Page Top

#4 2 points:

1) Could he be to Obama as Newt was to Clinton?

2) When do we stop harping on "...first black..." for everything?

Posted by AlanC 2009-01-31 09:24|| 2009-01-31 09:24|| Front Page Top

#5 I'm pleased with this. I think Mr. Steele gets modern politics. Now what he needs are:

1) an organization that gets modern political social organization and the Web 2.0 (Obama got it)

2) a commitment from Republicans for a 50-state, 435-district strategy (don't laugh, it worked for Howard Dean)

3) emphasis on rebuilding from the state and local levels on up

4) relentless push-back on the MSM nonsense and stereotypes

Posted by Steve White 2009-01-31 10:24|| 2009-01-31 10:24|| Front Page Top

#6 "When do we stop harping on "...first black..." for everything?"

Hopefully before the Dems and Lefties (but I repeat myself) do, Alan.

Which is likely, seeing as to how they'll NEVER stop.

Don't forget, according to the Dems & their ilk, any black person who aligns with the Republicans isn't really black - they're "House Negroes" or worse. >:-(

When I look at Michael Steele, I don't see a black man - I see a man of honor and conviction ~~who's good-looking too ;-p~~.

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2009-01-31 10:27|| 2009-01-31 10:27|| Front Page Top

#7 Ken Blackwell is another fine man, although he ran and withdrew for RNC. Steele, Jindal, Palin, Blackwell....

I like that lineup. I'm getting tired of the RINOs like McMaverick, Specter, Collins, Snowe,...... who can never be totally counted on for GOP support

Posted by Frank G 2009-01-31 11:09|| 2009-01-31 11:09|| Front Page Top

#8 In the 1960s, somebody introduced Rep. Shirley Chisholm at a banquet or other such event. Before she launched into her speech, she said, "I'm looking forward to the day when I'm not introduced as the "first black'."

I think that was before her party glommed onto the identity politics meme. That'd be about 1967, when I was first old enough to start reading the news.

I've forgotten exactly when identity politics took off. Right about the time the govt started quota programs?

Posted by mom">mom 2009-01-31 11:22|| idontknowbut.blogspot.com]">[idontknowbut.blogspot.com] 2009-01-31 11:22|| Front Page Top

#9 Most would probably agree however that "first black" has a much more optimistic ring to it than the last.

Posted by Besoeker 2009-01-31 11:31|| 2009-01-31 11:31|| Front Page Top

#10 Steele was my choice and frankly, I think he represents the only hope conservatives have right now to form a new political majority for the 21st century. As has been stated several times already, this guy gets it. Most of all, he can articulate and communicate sound conservative principles in a way Bush & Co. never could and never did. Few other Republicans right now, minus probably Jindal, Crist, and Pawlenty (I wish I could say Palin, too, but I still think she lacks the media savvy that is necessary to get ahead nowadays, for [better or] worse. Give her some time though and watch out!) are up to the task, either. The fact that he won the RNC Chair as a relative outsider means that the RNC gets it, too. At least one can hope.

Congratulations, Mr. Steele! I look forward to seeing what you can do to reinvigorate the moderate conservative intellectual movement in America. After all, it starts and ends with ideas and ideals and the same conservative ideas and ideals that made this country great can help make it even greater.

Now more than ever, we need to get back to basics-- what works and what doesn't-- and it is up to sensible and level-headed conservatives to lead the charge, as they always do.

Posted by eltoroverde 2009-01-31 13:35|| 2009-01-31 13:35|| Front Page Top

#11 Steele is a conservative and a communicator. Unlike Bush and McCain and a lot of the old-line blue-bloods that have run the GOP off a cliff.

Posted by OldSpook 2009-01-31 13:42|| 2009-01-31 13:42|| Front Page Top

#12 The Repubs have called me for money and I've told them that they won't get once cent until they actually demonstrate that they've returned to conservative principles and show that they are fighting against the rampant socialization of the economy that is now underway. Steele's election is certainly a step in the right direction. Prime example of how the Repubs had fallen...can anyone name the previous RNC chairman?? Anyone? Buehler?

When the chairman of the political organization is invisible, then the organization is essentially invisible. Steele will change that in a big way. Again, excellent first step.

Posted by remoteman 2009-01-31 14:16|| 2009-01-31 14:16|| Front Page Top

#13 Jindal is a non-starter for me. I can't stand that ignorant creationist crap he's pulling in LA. Which is odd since the Catholic Church is against creationism.

Steele should be a good start for rebuilding the GOP. I look forward to seeing what happens in the next couple years.

Posted by AllahHateMe 2009-01-31 16:15|| 2009-01-31 16:15|| Front Page Top

#14 I knew Jindal was a Catholic but I wasn't aware that he is in the creationist camp. Very odd, indeed.

Posted by eltoroverde 2009-01-31 16:26|| 2009-01-31 16:26|| Front Page Top

#15 He's not, but many of his constituents are.

Posted by lotp 2009-01-31 16:45|| 2009-01-31 16:45|| Front Page Top

#16 I don't detect much Jindal charisma. Not a compelling speaker.

Posted by KBK 2009-01-31 17:13|| 2009-01-31 17:13|| Front Page Top

#17 The hit pieces are already coming out about Mr. Steele. link via Instapundit.

Posted by trailing wife ">trailing wife 2009-01-31 21:53|| 2009-01-31 21:53|| Front Page Top

#18 Jindal is very smart and a personable straight shooter (think about how hard it was to get elected Governor in La. as a child of Indian immigrants??). Don't sell him short.

Posted by Frank G 2009-01-31 21:59|| 2009-01-31 21:59|| Front Page Top

#19 I find Jindal to be a very able administrator but I have not seen a whole lot of leadership talent. He would be a competent executive, but not a charismatic one.

Posted by Glenmore">Glenmore 2009-01-31 23:35|| 2009-01-31 23:35|| Front Page Top

#20 It is no coincidence that both of the party chairmen (RNC head Steele - Maryland and DNC capo Tim Kaine - Virginia) are based in states adjacent to Washington DC. Actually the DC suburbs, as soon as Kaine wraps up his term as governor and leaves Richmond.

Posted by Seafarious 2009-01-31 23:36|| 2009-01-31 23:36|| Front Page Top

23:36 Seafarious
23:35 Glenmore
23:29 Seafarious
22:51 g(r)omgoru
22:21 Mike N.
22:05 Ming the Merciless
21:59 Frank G
21:56 Frank G
21:54 Ming the Merciless
21:54 hammerhead
21:53 trailing wife
21:53 hammerhead
21:45 hammerhead
21:36 Ming the Merciless
21:21 Barbara Skolaut
21:18 Barbara Skolaut
21:15 Rambler in Virginia
21:13 Zhang Fei
20:46 Abu do you love
20:43 Frank G
20:41 Frank G
20:28 trailing wife
20:09 Pappy
20:06 Procopius2k