The American Spectator

Real American| 3.2.09 @ 6:18PM

AMEN!

Conservative Hottie| 3.2.09 @ 6:21PM

Mr. Lord, you never disappoint. Thank you.

ConservativeWanderer| 3.2.09 @ 6:29PM

Ya know, I used to think Steele was a good pick.

Now I ain't so sure.

ruth| 3.2.09 @ 6:33PM

Nice man but we need a street-fighter. Not nasty like Rahmbo, but tough.

Red Phillips| 3.2.09 @ 6:36PM

I told you so. Pick someone who touts their moderation and willingness to reach out as a selling point, and this is what you get.

Basil Plumley| 3.2.09 @ 6:46PM

Hey Red,
You're right. The GOP needs a leader who is not afraid of intervention. (I couldn't resist)

What gets me is, who thought it would be a great idea for Steele to appear on a program hosted by a comedian. All this did was guarantee Hughley's CNN contract will continue until 2010.

Is there anyone at the RNC who is media-savvy?

Interloper| 3.2.09 @ 6:53PM

Well. y'all could have Katon Dawson as RNC head instead.

CA.Rick O'Shay| 3.2.09 @ 6:54PM

My greatest fear has come true!! Another Republican "leader" who wants to 'reach across the aisle'. Mr. Steele-- leave Rush alone-- he is close to being a saint--------you ain't!!!

saraforamerica| 3.2.09 @ 6:54PM

I'm probably the last one in the room to shy away from a fight, but truly, we have got to get our sh#t together. I'm not sure who's on " my side" or not anymore, it grows more confusing by the hour.

All I want to freakin' do is get Obama's marxist a$$ out of office, and win some seats in 2010. Is this too much to ask??

Alan Brooks| 3.2.09 @ 6:58PM

how tolerant. how compassionate.
how very BIG of Steele.

ConservativeWanderer| 3.2.09 @ 7:03PM

Is there anyone at the RNC who is media-savvy?

Sure don't look like it, does it?

Where's the Gipper when you need him?

S.Reese Smith| 3.2.09 @ 7:13PM

Get rid of Steele,Why did I think he was a conservative?? Rush's speech was one of the best,EVER!!

Alan Brooks| 3.2.09 @ 7:23PM

Steele just apologized. he said he was sorry and he wont stick his paw in the cookie jar anymore.

Erin| 3.2.09 @ 7:26PM

As a Dem, can I just say how much I'm enjoying how so-called conservatives are eating eachother alive? At this rate, you might make it back from the wilderness in, say 2020. Maybe.

Stuart| 3.2.09 @ 7:27PM

I'm not crazy about talk radio and Rush can, for my taste, be pompous and sanctimonious, but Steele's attack was mean-spirited, slanderous- and, G-d, so politically stupid.
Does Steele not realize the party will only win if it tenaciously challenges the dangerous and foolish policies of Obama, and expounds its principles with clarity and passion? Now, I'm going to assume that Steele is basically conservative, but that he's so scared of Republicans appearing mean-spirited, ready to let America suffer by not supporting a very popular president. Of course, it was smart to moderate the tone when Obama was first elected. Now, though, Obama has pulled out of the honeymoon. Obama fancies himself the Thor of a full blown "progressive" agenda. The hammer's being thrown, and Republicans need to challenge him.
Why did Steele have to open his big mouth? To what end? Does he think that soft-spoken Republicans who repudiate "entertainers" like Rush will be treated any better than Obama, Emmanuel, Pelosi etc. If Steele does get around to voicing serious conservative opposition to Obama, he'll be trashed as a heartless, corporate toady- and, of course, a traitor to his race.
It's funny. Just a few days ago, the comedian Jeanine Garafalo on Olberman's show said that Steele suffers from Stockholm Syndrome, a syndrome in which victims of kidnapping come to identify with their kidnappers. Steele, she claims, is identifying with the conservative white oppressor. And here's Steele, not blasting Olberman, who bought Garofalo's "analysis", but blasting Rush. What a putz!

Stephen| 3.2.09 @ 7:30PM

If this is what we can expect from Mr. Steele, the Republicans will be a permanent minority. Mr Steele, take your big-tent and go home!

Alan Brooks| 3.2.09 @ 7:44PM

when a religious person panders, he is smarmy;
when a politico does it, he is "jes tryin' not to be mean-spirited"

Mary| 3.2.09 @ 7:48PM

I'm glad to see Amspec coming not to Rush's defense -who can defend himself, as you note- but instead coming to loudly declare he's family.

I'm not a radio talk show person. I listened to Rush in the early 90s. It was Colin Powell's poke at Rush that aroused both my indignation and loyalty. Powell had the look of a molested owl on his face as he spoke disparagingly of Rush.

And I tuned in to Rush again after that long absence. I'm still not a radio talk show person. I like books. Lots and lots of books.

The idea that Steele couldn't both remain loyal to Rush and expand upon what Rush has been getting at is a testament to his uninspired leadership and incompetence. He appeared on Rush's show when it suited his purposes.

If we remain bowed and unwilling to summon the courage to take both Obama and his cotton-headed ideas to task we will be bound to this cowardice then next time we're called upon to defend our beliefs.

This isn't a matter of family, right or wrong. Rush did nothing wrong. It's a matter of family. And it's a matter of saying to the RNC and those in Congress as well: if you're not intelligent and courageous enough to both defend Rush and speak ad alta voce to the double standard of these SOBs who allowed all manner of calumny to be heaped on President Bush with nary a peep, you're not fit to lead because you're boys and not men. And if you were gold you'd not only be able to expand upon Rush's desire to keep the Country from an awful transmogrification, but do it in such a way so that it would prompt Rush to game up as well.

And now for my own parting shot at President Bush. I understand he's going on a Grand Speaking Tour. But he couldn't speak to us, could he? Cat got his tongue once war was declared.

Everywhere we look we're surrounded by unserious and hesitant men.

I'll send money to Amspec by the end of the week. The RNC can go straight to _______ hell!

Bob Brown| 3.2.09 @ 8:10PM

Unbeleviable,RNC Head who did not have enough sense to understand when he was being baited.

Alan Brooks| 3.2.09 @ 9:10PM

you got it: baited.

bait and switch.

ruth| 3.2.09 @ 9:19PM

Politics is a blood sport. If Steele doesn't know that by now he's in the wrong business.

Stuart| 3.2.09 @ 9:42PM

A nice blend of diction there, Mary.
You give us "ad alta voce" and then a few sentences later close with "the RNC can go straight to____________ hell."
And it's not forced; the shift goes with the flow of your thinking and emoting.

Speaking of Rush and the nature of conservative discourse, John Derbyshire, a National Review writer, longs for there to be a conservative NPR(though one that doesn't receive a cent from the government). I think we need that. Let Joe the Plumber encounter Hayek and Burke. And the great literature and music of Western Civilization.
But Rush certainly serves a purpose, and he's hardly a thoughtless man or a demagogue. The Left has folks on television who are plain vicious , play fast and loose with the facts, and are not infrequently, plain stupid.
I won't say anything more about dear Michael.

yonason| 3.2.09 @ 9:55PM

I can't remember exactly what he said a while agoe, but it was a simialr gaff, showing he lacked a conserviative core. It just wasn't as obvious. It put me off, and I haven't trusted him since. Looks like that huntch was, unfortunately, correct. We desperately need leadership, and he clearly isn't it. Appology or not, I'm afraid he's shown himself to just not be the right stuff, not at all.

Interloper| 3.2.09 @ 10:03PM

The claim that Michael Steele was "baited" is taking verbatim from Rush Limbaugh's lengthy, illogical and hateful rant today. No one who listens to the short exchange between the D.L. Hughley and Steele on CNN could possibly believe that. Nor could one believe Steele's retraction to be anything but cowardice. He said precisely what he was originally reported to have said in an effort to seem more than a token minority spokesman for the Right.

Limbaugh will certainly be the big, bloated face of conservatives that drives people away from the GOP for the foreseeable future. He is a gift that keeps on giving.

Jeffrey Lord| 3.2.09 @ 10:48PM

Interloper..

First, I did not take a single word written above from Rush. So, sorry, error there.

Second, as always with liberals, I remain fascinated by your perception. You describe Steele as a "token minority spokesman" for conservatives. Since it is the Republican Party that ended slavery over the objection of your side, provided all the rights minorities now have over a hundred years ago and then had to supply the votes to re-do this all over again a century later...Since it is the GOP that elected blacks to Congress in the 1800's and in fact elected the "first" black Senator all over again in 1966 (that would be 43 years ago)...not to mention that the last two Secretaries of State were black appointees of the hateful Bush and the sole black on the Supreme Court...not withstanding the appointment of two whites by Bill Clinton...is a Bush 41 appointee...where do you get this understanding of the world. I know, actually, but I am always puzzled that seriously intelligent people can look at the world so racially, make such casual racially inclined statements about people like Michael Steele, and yet somehow believe its the colorblind side that has a problem.

Good luck, bud. For the country's sake, it's important that you guys never succeed. Still, I'm interested.

CH| 3.2.09 @ 10:49PM

Better than your big, bloated butt, Loopy.

nader paul kucinich gravel| 3.2.09 @ 10:50PM

Michael Steele joins Juan Williams.

Uncle Sam or Uncle Tom?

Alan Brooks| 3.2.09 @ 10:55PM

Rush is doing what a rightwinger is supposed to do, plus he has never taken himself too seriously.

Smokin'| 3.2.09 @ 10:58PM

Mr. Lord, I bet you feel like you have to take a shower after interacting with Loopy, huh? The water should be hot, and use lots of soap. Do you have any Lysol at home?

les grossman| 3.2.09 @ 10:59PM

Steele is finished. Libs have the proof they need that he's a you know what, when he first took the bait and then felt forced to apologize; and conservatives will never trust the guy, with good reason.

So, back to the Stupid Party for a minute. Does someone nudge Mr. Steele to step aside, or does the Chair remain effectively vacant for another election cycle?

ruth| 3.2.09 @ 11:01PM

One of the things I like about you the most, Alan, is your sweet sense of humor. Or Mr. Brooks if you prefer. Hope you always keep it.

Alan Brooks| 3.2.09 @ 11:01PM

look, I came from such a lib family that I think anyone can do what they want:
if you are Rush Limbaugh, you can do what you want.
if you're a dancing-prancing mincing sweetheart of a homo, you can do what you want.
we believe in DIVERSITY.

Nutty| 3.2.09 @ 11:03PM

I don't care if Steele stays--but he HAS to grow a pair.

Lefty| 3.3.09 @ 3:35AM

Rush is a fat, sweaty, drug-addicted hypocrite and he is laughing all the way to the bank while fools listen with baited breath to his every word.

Pammy| 3.3.09 @ 5:29AM

You are all missing the point here - I think the party's core values are out of date hence the confusion.

The very definition of the word conservative sounds very last century and fails to reflect the ideology of the party.

The liberals have captured the mood of the nation. People are no longer conservative but very liberal in their outlook. I for one view the word in the context of moral values and if we want to put someone like Rush in that category then we will have to do some serious soul searching.

I think going to the extreme right is wrong and going to the extreme left is wrong. A concession has got to be reached and policies out to be re-written.

I am an independent and somehow I feel the current President has managed to identify the malaise in Capital Hill. You cannot make fair policies when you are on somebody else's payroll.

Following all that has taken place post-enron I think there ought to be more outcry . It is not about party politics it is down to us all as individuals to decide if we fall into any one of these categories: Lust, Greed, Hateful, Pride, Gluttony, Rogues,& Adultery

Deborah| 3.3.09 @ 6:59AM

Rush is logic and common sense. Two virtues lacking in liberals. No wonder they hate him. He also has a knowledge of the country's history -- one that is totally lacking in Pres. Obama and Democrats (and especially young people). Rush is a teacher of American values. Obama and Dems hate their own country, otherwise why would they desire to totally change in 30 days? They want the power to tell you what to do, when to do it, who to do it with, how to do it. As Rush said: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are all under attack by the current Congress and adminstration.

Liberals will never wake up. We conservatives, however, expect Michael Steele and the Republican Party to wake up before we have lost our country in a blink of an eye.

Mary| 3.3.09 @ 8:04AM

Stuart,

As I completed the post it did feel a bit like a natural implosion. This isn't my living room though, and that's probably worth remembering. Still, I ask Amspec's indulgence -and yours, if necessary- from time to time.

I read John Derbyshire's piece last week, and thought it nearly perfect in both tone and substance. I visit his Secular Right site, regularly.

A conservative equivalent to NPR would be ideal. I could really enjoy a coast-to-coast version of Peter Robinson's Uncommon Knowledge.

Stuart, I'm very fond of St. Paul. I read him rhetorically from almost start to finish and I don't mean to disparage him, but I take Nietzsche's point when he wrote that St. Paul's God is the negation of God.

Similarly, Obama's America is the negation of America, and no one feels that more acutely than some of her most ardent converts; her immigrants.

American government might start to resemble Italian government before too long. We Italians do many things well, but unfortunately, government isn’t one of them.

I would have loved to have listened to this whole address
on a CPR. The center P, as Derbyshire notes, standing for private. It's a long read, but I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Lastly, Andrew Breitbart is right to point to the imperative of piercing the culture with conservative works of literature and art.

Speaking of letters, I get a Churchill quote delivered daily, and here it is:

All great things are simple, and many can be expressed in single words: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.

Independent thinker| 3.3.09 @ 8:13AM

Rush is the speaker that keeps giving - I am a professional and he doesn't represent my value system.

Just like the Republicans there are also intelligent Democrats who have studied the trends of event and have come to same conclusion that we are now part of a Global World and the pursuit and happiness for a priviledged few won't sell anymore.

That idea belonged to the last millenium - we are now in 2000----
Everyone is wide awke - Thanks to the President

JoJo| 3.3.09 @ 8:32AM

Steele is a fraud! His consultants promised him he would not have to do any work if he took the job...so he said yes. He stands for nothing. A lawyer without a law license, a man without a mind.

You have to ask yourself, do you really want a man as chairman, who needs the job for the money?

Bob| 3.3.09 @ 9:32AM

As with most right wing whacko discussions, this one lacks factual information and analysis. One person above summarize Rush as having "common sense". This is analogous to looking out of your front door and claiming the world is flat. Common sense depends on knowledge and perspective and Rush lacks both. In his CPAC speech, for example, he didn't know the difference between the Constitution and the Declaration of Indepence. He consistently gets economic facts wrong.

This is where Steele is coming from. He actually looks at the data the RNC analyzes (Rush doesn't know how). The number of registered Republicans has dropped to about 28% which is the lowest in history. Democrats have risen to about 39%. Independents, who are primarily people that conservatives call "RINO's", have left the party in droves because of both Rush and social conservatives.

Elections are won in the middle, not on the extremes. Whoever captures independents win the election. Independents are primarily fiscally conservative and socially libertarian according to the polling data I've seen.

So, if you are a thinking individual dealing with winning elections, you don't ignore factual information because your future depends on winning elections.

Again, according to the polling information, about 19% of registered voters are social conservatives which means about that about 1/3 of Republicans are "moderates".

This is the problem Steele faces. He can't win if he fully embraces Rush, but he also can't win of he ticks off 2/3rds of registered Republicans that listen to Rush and consider him the leader of the party. Independents are turned off by Rush which is why Democrats love this episode.

Steele made the political mistake of not walking the fine line he must in a divided party that is losing coherents. Steele knows that if he adopts Rush's rhetoric, the party loses even more.

However, since AmSpec and most of the people that post here eschew intellect, any discussion that requires reason over belief is moot.

Ted Agnew| 3.3.09 @ 10:16AM

Rather than get rid of Steele we need to look at this from the opposite direction. Let’s re-attach our “two” and get rid of the Republican Party. Let’s walk off and start anew somewhere else on our own.

Screw the Republicans, let Steele hire David Brooks as his press guy and they can play golf with McCain and Graham and then have dinner with Collins and Snowe.

Independent Thinker| 3.3.09 @ 10:25AM

Mary, you said:

"Similarly, Obama's America is the negation of America, and no one feels that more acutely than some of her most ardent converts; her immigrants.

American government might start to resemble Italian government before too long. We Italians do many things well, but unfortunately, government isn’t one of them."

I think you will need to read up your facts and address this error - it is subjective and not entirely objective. You appear to be well read hence the response to your posting to Stuart above.

You cannot and should not compare American Politics to Italian Politics – Is this not the home of the Pope and Italian Mafia.

I am an accountant not an historian, travelled to Italy and I beg to differ – different!!!

Mike| 3.3.09 @ 10:33AM

Bob,

Excellent post. The people who write to AmSpec must be among the top 5% of American wage earners who are caught in a struggle to stop the re-redistribution of wealth that has happened over the past decade or they are, as you say , simply "whacko" dittoheads who let an ill-informed, oft wrong gas bag do their thinking for them.

Bob| 3.3.09 @ 11:40AM

Mike, let me say that I agree with the objectives that Rush states and so do a majority of people, right and left. I believe in fiscal conservatism and would cut more than most Republicans. I would drastically reduce social security and medicare as they are now about 53% of the federal budget and will grow over 60% over the next decade. However, I don't agree with the ideology of getting there. Republicans must find a way to make health care more efficient, education more available, and infrastructure more effective. Our current health care system is the most inefficient in the world, our education system is reverting to primarily privileged individuals being able to afford school, and our infrastructure is crumbling. Rush doesn't think these things are important. Why should he when he has enough money to pay the doctor (and the corner druggies), doesn't care if we have an educated electorate, and never supports infrastructure enhancements.

Greg| 3.4.09 @ 9:06AM

The controversy about Michael Steele and Rush Limbaugh (who I don't really particularly listen to anymore) is more than about Rush. When the liberal talk show host said that CPAC looked like a bunch of Nazis Michael Steele nodded in agreement.

Some said his nodding wasn't in agreement with that statement but still at the very least he was quiet and did not speak out against that outrageous statement.

This is more than about Rush the person. This was about the speech he gave and if you listened to the speech and agree with it then it is not only Rush but all grassroots conservatives that Micheal Steele has rebuked in the harshest of terms.

Well, if that is the way the "leader" of the GOP feels about me then I say no, no, no, not God Bless the GOP, GOD DAMN the GOP. It isn't the party I thought I knew!

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