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Steele's First Presser

By Philip Klein on 1.30.09 @ 4:44PM

One of the main selling points among Michael Steele's supporters was his ability to effectively communicate, and his first press conference since being elected chairman went smoothly.

“This is a new moment for our party," he said, noting that Republicans didn't live up to the Contract With America. “This is a dawn of a new party, moving in a new direction, with strength of conviction.”

Asked whether he would come to the defense of Rush Limbaugh, Steele said Limbaugh has a right to say what he wants, and that, “Rush can handle himself and he seems to be doing a good job of it right now.”

And to grassroots conservatives, he had a message: "Get ready to work.”

View all comments (9) | Leave a comment

Red Phillips| 1.30.09 @ 5:16PM

"And to grassroots conservatives, he had a message: "Get ready to work.”"

Yeah, get ready to work to disempower yourselves. Great plan.

Ran| 1.30.09 @ 5:18PM

Sleeves are rolled up, Mr. Steele! Let's start by congratulating Mr. Steele on the assignment and the RNC for having the cujones to elect a genuine Conservative.

Red Phillips| 1.30.09 @ 5:30PM

"Let's start by congratulating Mr. Steele on the assignment and the RNC for having the cujones to elect a genuine Conservative."

Dude, what are you smoking? Steele was clearly and conspicuously the designated moderate.

Sebastian B. O. Buniontow V| 1.30.09 @ 5:31PM

While House Reps made us proud this week, the election of Steele makes us equally despondent.

Steele couldn't win his own Senate election against an inferior candidate and now he promises to help other Republicans reach a similar fate.

Steele's outreach to moderates dilutes the Republican brand. He is one of those "big tent" advocates who doesn't realize that rock ribbed Republicans, who have donated and contributed to the party in the past will use the Big Tent exit door while NE moderates (read: social conservative opponents) enter.

Gee, Steele gave a nice speech. Sounds like someone who currently occupies the White House. The problem with Steele is he is terribly weak in a debate of the issues.

More than ever, I say, I'm a conservative and not a Republican. This is much like the inordinate number of conservatives who sat on the hands this pass election rather than vote for the RINO (read: moderate) McCain.

Hey, Steele, how many NE moderates and states did moderate McCain pull in November?

Sean| 1.30.09 @ 6:37PM

Steele is for the big tent unless you are an actual conservative that walks the talk. I am willing to give him a chance though.

tom gogola| 1.31.09 @ 1:38PM

So where is Limbaugh now, screaming into his microphone that this selection was "about race"??I think we all recall his horrendous meathead ejaculations after Powell endorsed Obama. So what's the deal now? Where's Hannity pushing back against the forces of racial pandering? Funny how these crackers have a self-designated spot-on take on race politics when the democrats are doing the alleged "pandering". The party should have gone with every Hannity's favorite pipe-wielding skinhead, AKA Joe the Plumber's Helper.

Red Phillips| 2.1.09 @ 2:41PM

tom gogola = Interloper

Both are PC thought slaves who play the PC card at every opportunity. How do they look at themselves in the mirror knowing they are culture Marxist with Morris Dees pulling their marionette strings? Does he have dirt on you or something?

Try some independent thought boys. You might like it.

tom gogola| 2.3.09 @ 9:21AM

Red's inane comments remind me of something I read years ago, wherby among a certain segment of rather narrowminded "conservative" thought, that PC is basically anything you don't agree with. And Morris Dees? If anyone's pulling my string it's Morris Day and the Nights, bitch.