Michael Steele

[Honus]

This is what happens when the RNC elects a chairman who tried to get himself elected by passing himself off as a Democrat in 2006:

LIKE A STEELE TRAP.... Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, looked rather ridiculous this week when he was forced to apologize to Rush Limbaugh for having told the truth. But looking over Steele's brief tenure at the RNC, it's hardly the only embarrassment.

In just a month on the job, Steele has insisted that government jobs aren't real jobs. He's raised the specter of undermining moderate Republican incumbents. He's given multiple interviews in which he's shown humiliating confusion about the basics of public policy. His efforts to make the Republicans "off the hook" and "beyond cutting edge" are already the subject of widespread ridicule. The man, by all appearances, doesn't have the foggiest idea what he's doing.

U.S. News' Paul Bedard noted that Steele's "own GOP troops" want him "to shut up." Bedard talked to a top GOP strategist who said, "If his implosion continues, RNC members are likely to call a special session to dump him for an effective chairman." Another Republican official added, "At this point, it is as if he has a fundamental misunderstanding of the job description."

The Politico added that "key party leaders are worried" that the RNC has "made a costly mistake." It's not even limited to the p.r. fiascos.

On the organizational side, Steele does not have a chief of staff, a political director, a finance director or a communications director. Last week, one of the two men sharing the job of interim finance director was forced to resign.

For now, "the fourth floor," as the RNC's executive suite is known, is being run by a pair of consultants.

"There's frustration that there's no discipline, no planning," said a well-known Republican consultant.

OK, so Steele has a habit of sticking his foot in his mouth. And issuing humiliating apologies. And dividing the party while alienating the base. And mismanaging the RNC itself. But everything else is going well for him, right?

Not quite. To add insult to injury, Steele has also been accused of financial shenanigans -- twice. The first came when we learned about suspicious campaign expenditures Steele directed in 2006 to a company run by his sister, which was allegedly paid for work it never performed. Today, WBAL in Baltimore is also raising questions about $400,000 Steele paid to a commodities trading firm that doesn't appear to have any connection to campaign work.

I'm not entirely sure why the Republican National Committee chose Steele as its chairman, but I know Democrats are awfully happy about it.

http://washingtonmonthly.com/

I don't recall seeing an American political party imploding like the Republicans are right now. Their only hope is that the economy will continue to decline. If there is any improvement, or even leveling off, in the economy before the 2010 elections, the GOP is screwed.

Am I right?

[Fitz]

I don't recall seeing an American political party imploding like the Republicans are right now. Their only hope is that the economy will continue to decline. If there is any improvement, or even leveling off, in the economy before the 2010 elections, the GOP is screwed.

Am I right?

When the Democrats push through an amnesty bill for illegals, bring back the assault weapons ban, and increase taxes on our energy consumption, they will give new life to the Republicans. American politics is frustratingly predictable.

[POS]

Originally Posted by dculkin

This is what happens when the RNC elects a chairman who tried to get himself elected by passing himself off as a Democrat in 2006:I don't recall seeing an American political party imploding like the Republicans are right now. Their only hope is that the economy will continue to decline. If there is any improvement, or even leveling off, in the economy before the 2010 elections, the GOP is screwed.

Am I right?

You're not even close to right; the opposite is going to happen. Obama will have done so much to so many after his four years and the economy will still be in the crapper; say hello to your one-term first African-American president. You'll see a resurgence in the Republicans next time around; back and forth, back and forth.

[Honus]

So, you guys are happy with the way things are going for the GOP? I admire your positive attitudes. Now, if the lousy economy continues, you guys will be in hog heaven.

[link]

Originally Posted by dculkin

...I don't recall seeing an American political party imploding like the Republicans are right now. Their only hope is that the economy will continue to decline. If there is any improvement, or even leveling off, in the economy before the 2010 elections, the GOP is screwed.

Am I right?

I dunno if you are right but given the last 8 years, your comment is a logical and resonable suppostion. I’ll go a step further and say that the Ds will use the financial melt down in the same way the Rs used the war and that will be to “stay the course.”

If so, the Rs are in the wilderness for the next 8 years, at least.

[lutzTD]

the economy is more than a 4 year issue, thats what Rush and all the other outspoken Reps are betting on. Americans wont have the overall understanding of what it takes to get turned around, and so they will blame O. even if everything he does works, which even he admits is not probable, people just want results. When you run on a generic change platform, you better be able to make enough change that everyones interpretation is appeased, otherwise its a failure. I want him to succeed, but even success will be tempered by the time it takes for it to be appearent

either way Steele should have booted Rush's butt, but nothing good will come of the fight except to furthur marginalize both of their ideas

[jplinville]

lower the taxes, and more money will pour into the economy.

Do away with income tax, and implement a flat sales tax on all goods across the board. Those making more will spend more, generating more in taxes for the government to throw away...

Bring in the Fair Tax!

[link]

don’t know about fair tax, but I predict a national sales tax is in our near future

[Jim B.]

Originally Posted by Fitz

When the Democrats push through an amnesty bill for illegals, bring back the assault weapons ban, and increase taxes on our energy consumption, they will give new life to the Republicans. American politics is frustratingly predictable.

Why do you need to run around with assault weapons? Are you a drug diller?

[jplinville]

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Why do you need to run around with assault weapons? Are you a drug diller?

With an assault weapon, there is no need to run around...just stand, point and sqeeze...that's what I do!

[Jim B.]

Originally Posted by jplinville

With an assault weapon, there is no need to run around...just stand, point and sqeeze...that's what I do!

So say the truth. Why do you have them?

Are *YOU* a drug diller? Or in a well regulated militia?

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Are *YOU* a drug diller?

I'm not a drug "diller", user or criminal of any type. Therefore I haven't given up any rights enjoyed by free men, and what I own shouldn't be of any concern to you.

[Botnst]

Originally Posted by dculkin

This is what happens when the RNC elects a chairman who tried to get himself elected by passing himself off as a Democrat in 2006:I don't recall seeing an American political party imploding like the Republicans are right now. Their only hope is that the economy will continue to decline. If there is any improvement, or even leveling off, in the economy before the 2010 elections, the GOP is screwed.

Am I right?

Left.

[JollyRoger]

The issues of illegals, guns and energy consumption taxes actually all work for the Democrats. The illegals issue went nowhere, even in your own primary, and the shrinking economy is doing more to squeeze them out than any fence ever did, in addition, I doubt the Democrats will be doing anything that resulted in more jobs for illegals and less for Americans, they are reckless, but not stupid. On the assault ban, less and less Americans are sympathetic on that isse, and if consumption taxes decrease our dependence on foreign oil and result in the money we give to Arabia recirculating in our own economy instead, well, that might actually not lead to the economic meltdown all you GOPer's are hoping for, in fact it could spark a real economic boom, I suggest you Google "T. Boone Pickens" to get the capitalist slant on that.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by JollyRoger

The illegals issue went nowhere, even in your own primary,

I'm not a Republican, and never have been. I started voting registered as a Democrat because my family had always been Democrats, as were most Southerners at the time. Honestly, I don't find Republicans conservative enough.

and the shrinking economy is doing more to squeeze them out than any fence ever did, in addition, doubt the Democrats will be doing anything that resulted in more jobs for illegals and less for Americans, they are reckless, but not stupid.

Of course they're stupid, and like all politicians they never think beyond the next campaign. I don't know who builds the roads where you live, but in North Carolina the crews are overwhelmingly "hispanic". Infrastructure-building will have them crossing the border in record numbers once again.

Didn't Robert Reich say that the important thing was to make sure the jobs don't go to white construction workers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opxuUj6vFa4