A Further Perspective
The Michael Steele/Haley Barbour Book Flap
A dust-up over a common Washington practice.
You can’t make this stuff up.
It seems my post on the Michael Steele book kerfuffle has now become involved in a spat over at the RNC. The Washington Times has a story filed by the legendarily plugged-in Timesman Ralph Hallow.
The blog post noted — correctly - that Mr. Steele is not the first GOP chairman to write a book while serving as chairman of the RNC. Then-RNC chair Haley Barbour wrote Agenda for America during his tenure, the book published in 1996.
This fact — and it is a fact — has been correctly cited by Michigan RNC member Holly Hughes in a defense of Mr. Steele. She has been challenged by New Jersey’s longtime RNC member Dave Norcross who says this:
“National Committeewoman Hughes closes her e-mail to the membership by writing, ‘I think [Mr. Lord] has got it right.’ Unfortunately ‘this guy’ most assuredly does not have it right,” Mr. Norcross said. “I was general counsel to the RNC during Gov. Barbour’s chairmanship. The book in question was written for the National Policy Forum and all sales proceeds went to the National Policy Forum.”
Norcross adds:
“This controversy over book tours and speeches has now led to the spreading of disinformation about one of our great chairmen, a very successful governor and current outstanding chairman of the RGA.”
With all due respect to Dave Norcross (whom I met years ago as a young aide to Pennsylvania’s RNC member and ex-Reagan Secretary of Transportation Drew Lewis), I got it exactly right. I was a member of the National Policy Forum which he cites, and Haley Barbour, a former White House colleague, boss and friend is not in the least being disparaged here.
The entire premise of the “National Policy Forum” would have gone exactly nowhere were it not pinned to then Chairman Barbour. Indeed, the jacket of the book proclaims proudly that the entire existence of the NPF was “masterminded by Republican National Committee Chairman Haley Barbour.” In typical Barbour style this book was an energetic reach out to those “outside the beltway” (as the book puts it.) It also, not coincidentally, publicized Haley Barbour. To which the appropriate answer is: so what?
Anyone who has spent a nano-second in Washington understands that writing books has long been used by office-holding politicians of both parties to make a point, elevate their profile and, yes indeed, earn money. As someone who has worked in Washington on Capitol Hill as well as in the Reagan White House — and is now a writer/author living outside the Beltway — I can say the attack here on Mr. Steele (of whom, as noted, I have been a critic on occasion) is indeed “bogus.” The argument is not only disingenuous, how could it possibly be anything else than bogus considering the history of Washington and political book writing — beginning with Republicans?
Let’s start with the book issue. Here are a few titles by sitting Republican officeholders Mr. Norcross may have forgotten.
The Rough Riders — by Governor Theodore
Roosevelt, 1899.
The Conscience of a Conservative — by Senator Barry
Goldwater, 1960.
An American Renaissance — by Congressman Jack Kemp,
1979.
Believing in America — by Congressman Bud Shuster,
1983.
The American Idea — by Congressman Jack Kemp,
1984.
Window of Opportunity — by Congressman Newt Gingrich,
1984.
Abortion and the Conscience of the Nation — by
President Ronald Reagan,1984.
Looking Forward — by Vice President George Bush,
1987.
Republican Almanac — Republican National Chairman
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, 1987.
To Renew America — by Speaker of the House Newt
Gingrich,1994.
A Matter of Interpretation — by Justice Antonin
Scalia, 1998.
A Charge to Keep — Governor George W. Bush,
1999.
Faith of Our Fathers — by Senator John McCain,
1999.
The Supreme Court — by Chief Justice William H.
Rehnquist, 2001
Square Peg — by Senator Orrin Hatch,
2002.
We Will Prevail — President George W. Bush,
2003.
It Takes a Family — by Senator Rick Santorum,
2005.
My Grandfather’s Son — by Justice Clarence
Thomas, 2007.
One could go on here — and on and on — with books by sitting Republican officeholders. Many of these are listed on Amazon.com. Let’s not forget that world beater, Journey to the Far Pacific, by New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey back there in 1952.
This doesn’t even touch the books pushed out by office-holding Democrats or Republicans-turned-Democrats over the years. The briefest of lists would include:
Profiles in Courage — by Senator John F. Kennedy,
1955.
The Strategy of Peace — Senator John F.
Kennedy,1960.
To Turn the Tide — President John F. Kennedy,
1962.
The Job of the Congressman — by Congressman Morris K.
Udall, 1966.
To Seek a Newer World — by Senator Robert F. Kennedy,
1967.
Thirteen Days — by Senator Robert F. Kennedy,
1968.
O Congress — by Congressman Donald Riegle,
1972.
A New Democracy — by Senator Gary Hart,
1983.
Passion for Truth — by Senator Arlen Specter,
2000.
The Audacity of Hope — by Senator Barack Obama,
2006.
Promises to Keep — by Senator Joseph Biden,
2007.
Never Give In — by Senator Arlen Specter,
2008.
True Compass — by Senator Edward M. Kennedy,
2009.
About the Author
Jeffrey Lord is a former Reagan White House political director and author. He writes from Pennsylvania at jlpa1@aol.com.
Mattled| 1.14.10 @ 8:06AM
Mr. Lord,
The biggest difference between Barbour and Steele is that Barbour actually was an effective RNC chairman.
I remember GOP TV: Rising Tide. Next to Seinfeld/Friends, it was always on my VCR (ah the good old days).
Mr. Steele's claim was that he was a master of communications (?).
So far----he has only communicated that he can say "baby" a lot.
Ryan| 1.14.10 @ 8:37AM
Would that MORE of our elected officials would do something other than mess around in Washington. Maybe a bit of capitalism in their lives would show them what the rest of us have to deal with.
Glenn Warner| 1.14.10 @ 9:39AM
I agree that it is unfair and counterproductive to single out Steele. Since he is not guilty of doing anything that is out of character for mainstream pols, one must ask what is the real reason for these attacks. Steele seems to me to be the kind of feisty combatant that we need. Its a mystery to us out here in the boonies, how the insiders continue to pee in the lemonade. On the verge of something historical in Mass., our main man gets picked at for writing a book without RNC permission? This is what scares some of us about a possible republican resurgence. We want results (which Mr. Steele has apparently delivered) not petty squabbles.
Devon| 1.17.10 @ 11:37PM
I couldn't agree with you more. When Steele took over, the Republican Party and brand was in terrible shape. Now that they are making a comeback, this is not the time to be criticizing the guy at the top. Will Republicans learn anything from the Democrats? We are always the first to run our own out of town. G. W. Bush did worse to Conservatism and we said nothing, now Steele only been there a year and he have to hear this crap. I'm not happy with everything Steele has done, but while we are having a comeback is not the time for us to sweep the house. Democrats are not satisfied with Obama, but they continue to show a united front and support the leader.
Ken (Old Texican)| 1.14.10 @ 9:58AM
Glenn, I have to differ with you on a couple of points. First, I have no problem with Mr. Steele writing and making money off of a book. Good for him.
There is an article about a "Casey" and a "Joe" in the rnc over at either NRO or American Thinker today.
I hope you will read it. (Joe is the insider milking money from contributors.)
I had high hopes for Mr. Steele when he was appointed. Those hopes are evaporated now. Every nickel TEAM America will donate...will now go directly to the consevative Republican candidates' campaigns as we identify the good guys.
I hope you will drop in and see our strategy and principles.
www.myteamusa.org
The volunteers for the Repub party are our neighbors, and pretty wonderful people as a group. The bigshots...not so much...and they are stupid.
The tea party movement wants to get behind responsible repealer candidates, but the bigshots at the RNC forget how many dollars can come from individuals in 50 dollar lumps...if there are LOTS of people.
See, we conservatives DO have a choice. We can nominate great candidates...and elect a lot of them on a national basis.
erp| 1.14.10 @ 10:07AM
Barbour is a great guy -- smart, capable, honest ...
If it weren't for his almost incomprehensible southern accent, he would have been president by now. It's the same problem that Phil Gramm has. If people can't understand you, it's hard to reach them.
Oldefarte| 1.14.10 @ 11:26AM
From someone who was born/raised in the SAME small southern town as Haley B., I say thank you [and bravo] for your truth, Jeffrey! To ERP, I say that I [and millions alike] have the same southern accent [and that Haley's words are extremely comprehensible, unless you're an illerate moron, of course!]; and that you may wish to consider the wordisms of the current occupier of the White House before you begin disparaging people with a non-African-American dialect, okay??????
Michael Tomlinson| 1.14.10 @ 8:47PM
Good on you Oldefarte!
Oldefarte| 1.14.10 @ 11:29AM
Perhaps if Haley began using words such as 'STUPIDLY', he might become more appealing to ERP!!!!!
Dai Alanye | 1.14.10 @ 2:51PM
I've less of a problem with Steele lining his pockets than with the fact that he's said so many stupid things that have advanced himself and his personal interests to the harm of Republicans and conservatives.
mgm| 1.14.10 @ 5:25PM
I love Lord's stuff! I wish I were half as smart as he.
However, didn't Jim Wright lose his seat over some some lobbyist snapping up copies of his bo0k ?
Jeffrey Lord| 1.14.10 @ 10:41PM
mgm...
You are correct. The difference is Steele's is out there as a legit book for sale in book stores, Wright was getting lobbyists to buy in bulk from him. Big problem, that!
And thanks! But I think most people are smart in some fashion...which is why I want them to control their own lives instead of You Know Who!
Michael Tomlinson| 1.14.10 @ 8:49PM
Michael Steele's problem isn't his book -- it's his foot in mouth disease.
St. Gingrich| 1.15.10 @ 2:29PM
Newt raised the roof when Jim Wright got those 'bulk sales' dollars.
That was just before he did the same thing.
Hmmmmm...
Ryan Booth | 1.15.10 @ 10:37PM
Jeffrey, you totally ignored one of the major aspects of the scandal with Steele. It's that he is an RNC employee and is in direct and clear violation of the RNC Employee Handbook, which does apply to him and govern his employment.
The Constitution or Congressional rules may not prohit members from profiting from books or paid speeches, but the RNC specifically states: "Employees may not obtain any improper personal benefit by virtue of their employment with the RNC. [snip] Employees should avoid even the appearance of impropriety ... Outside business activities which would either conflict with RNC interests, or call for substantial time away from RNC duties, are not permitted. Requests to pursue any outside business activities or continue pre-RNC employment business connections must be submitted to the Chief Counsel for review." [which we know he did not do with his book]
He clear violated his terms of employment in at least four ways, and he isn't even sorry or apologizing about it, instead attacking those who point out why what he's doing is a problem.
You can see copies of the actual RNC Employee Handbook (and a whole lot more) at www.dumpsteele.com. I'm completely convinced that you can't read everything on that site and continue to support him for chairman.
Ryan Booth | 1.15.10 @ 11:10PM
To explain the significance of my previous comment a little more clearly:
The basic problem with this article is that it equates the job of RNC Chairman with holding office (even referencing "sitting office holders" in the last paragraph and including Steele in that group).
The job of RNC Chairman isn't comparable to that at all -- it's more like being a CEO of a corporation or the head of a policy group like the NRA or the Family Research Council. Michael Steele wasn't elected to public office in this instance. He applied for and accepted a job that pays him $223,500 per year -- and that comes with an Employee Handbook telling him exactly what he can and cannot do in that job.
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