The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Chairman Steele

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This was, by far, one of the most interesting things I've ever covered. And Steele? I've brought up problems Steele might face, but the biggest concern has always been, how are you at organizing? Steele has scrambled and won this fight definitively, bombarding members with emails for two days to drop their support for Duncan and go straight to him. It worked. Even his more bone-headed tactics, like his own people claiming some deal was being worked out with Duncan, then turning around and saying it was just a silly rumor, didn't negatively effect him.

Steele's outreach to moderates will be closely watched, and as I said, in the northeast, it's necessary. But as Jim as pointed out, "With some exceptions, Steele has defended a conservative Republican platform in hostile territory while holding the door open to moderates." There's a difference between a party chairman who embraces moderates, one who shuns them entirely, and one who looks at them for what they are -- opportunities to make blue states purple.

Steele is a sharp man who has successfully managed his own image, and his own administration. He is also not insulated -- he does not suffer from the maddening tendency of Republicans, and even conservatives, to refuse to innovate and keep an ear to the ground. This will be an important asset as Steele takes on the challenge of two off-year elections and 2010.

Dawson, who is an excellent political operator, showed his stuff in surging as far as he did. But for the next 2 years, we won't have to listen to Republicans attempt, mealy-mouthed, to defend the GOP as a party of inclusion while at once explaining the specific circumstances surrounding its tin-eared chairman. That was a conversation they never needed.

Steele has been waiting in the wings for a long time for this, since taking on GOPAC, even. Wish him luck.

View all comments (6) | Leave a comment

Sebastian B. O. Buniontow V| 1.30.09 @ 5:22PM

"Steele's outreach to moderates will be closely watched, and as I said, in the northeast, it's necessary. "

Peter, this statement is absurd. You "big tent" advocates don't realize that the tent has two doors: (1) entrance, (2) exit. As you dilute the brand by reaching out to moderates (remember McCain) and inviting them into the tent, many of us who have contributed mightily will kindly utilize the exit door.

Your perspective is terribly, tragically myopic.

Red Phillips| 1.30.09 @ 5:27PM

Question? Would restoring the Constitution be innovative? He says as he puffs on his pipe and adjusts his suspenders and bowtie.

All kidding aside, could you please give me an example of an "innovative" policy that is conservative in effect and means?

Scott A Joseph, MD| 1.30.09 @ 7:51PM

The best Republican brand is a low tax, small government, pro-life, aggressive and patriotic foreign policy brand (Ronald Reagan's). Do that consistently and you will win elections. Don't and you will lose.

It's that simple, and that easy. And Bush only did the foreign policy part.

There is no need to reach out to anyone---they will flock to you if you do this.

Red Phillips| 1.31.09 @ 12:16AM

"aggressive and patriotic foreign policy"

Dude, the Iraq War was a political loser. That's what we need. A pro-life, pro-war conservative. Save babies in the womb and bomb them in Iraq.

An "aggressive" (are you sure you wanted to use that word?) foreign policy IS NOT CONSERVATIVE. Non-interventionism is the only conservative foreign policy.