New RNC Chair Michael Steele's Hypocrisy on Barack Obama (Video)
| Fri Jan. 30, 2009 1:36 PM PST
It turns out that Michael Steele — elected the first African-American chair of the Republican National Committee earlier this afternoon — has a situational opinion of Barack Obama and what his accomplishments mean for race in America. How else to explain the fact that when Steele talks about Obama, his thoughts change depending on his audience?
Here's Steele fielding a question about Obama from Tavis Smiley at the Black State of the Union conference, held in New Orleans in February 2008. Steele is speaking to a predominantly black audience. Video to your right.
I'm very proud to see Barack Obama do what Barack Obama has done and is doing. I am philosophically polar opposites with the man. But it doesn't change the fact that we are from the same community. And it doesn't diminish nor weaken my pride in what he's done. I would hope that all of us would be just as proud of an African-American Republican achieving such success.
Now here is Steele discussing Obama with NewsBusters.org, a conservative online news outlet, at the Republican National Convention. Video to your right, again.
Q: I wanted to get your take on the media coverage of Obama…
MS: It's been a joke, quite frankly. To put it bluntly. There's been no coverage. There's been coronation, there's been facilitation of his agenda….
Continues Below
Continued From Above
Q: What do you think is causing it? What's the real culprit for the disparity [between Obama's coverage and McCain's]?
MS: I think some of it has to do with a level of white liberal guilt.
Q: So you think this is a race issue?
MS: For some folks it is, yeah… Politically, I think some people [in the media] are so anti-Republican—I just look at how they chewed up Hillary to get to Barack. What they were trying to figure out, who's the best player to go up against the Republican establishment and who could trump certain things we'd be able to talk about that maybe Hillary couldn't, and certainly, the race issue would be one of those landmines the [Republican] Party would have to deal with…. If the shoe were on the other foot, they would be scrutinizing the heck out of a black Republican or a Hispanic Republican…. If he wins, he's a media creation, he's a brand. America doesn't need a president who's a brand. America needs a president who can lead.
Dismissing Obama as a "media creation" is a rather dramatic swing from "I'm very proud to see Barack Obama do what Barack Obama has done." The Republican Party and its leaders certainly need to learn how to talk about the progress of minorities in America better than they currently do. One might have thought that the GOP's new leader would be able to teach them. But it looks like he has problems of his own.
Comments
curlyfester: bubba, that was a rather racist comment. The "magic negro" comment didn't originally come from the GOP, dumbass! It was an article written by a liberal BLACK journalist who was saying that whites, driven by white guilt, constantly portray blacks as "magic negroes" in film (think The Green Mile" for example), and were gazing adoringly at Obama because he was a similar image, assuaging their sense of guilt.
Liberals constantly used white guilt during the election, trying to say that if you were white and didn't vote for Obama, you were a racist.
Steele in NO WAY represents that kind of "magic negro" image. The dude has chutzpah.
The reason there are few black republicans is because there is a kind of discrimination on the part of blacks against blacks who align with that party. Did you know that the NAACP won't allow black republicans to join? In their own words, "we don't think that black republicans are black."
Talk about racist!
Brings to mind the way Barack Obama has tailored his 2nd Amendment position statements to his audience.
Ranging from saying that he'd outlaw the manufacture, sale and possession of all handguns, (1996 Illinois Senate campaign) to proclaiming that he believed the 2nd Amendment protected an Individual Right to keep and bear firearms, to be exercised by ordinary American citizens.
Even Hillary Clinton called him on that hypocrisy during the primaries, at least in mailings sent out in rural areas (which took some nerve on her part..)
Submitted by Scott W. Graves (not verified) on Fri Jan. 30, 2009 4:41 PM PST.
Some thoughts from Red County President and Editor-in-Chief:
Michael Steele was elected the chairman of the GOP for all of the right reasons. I think he will serve as a positive role model for other Republicans, understands the party needs to be rebuilt from the ground up, and will lead the party with an eye on traditional values and conservative ideology.
While at GOPAC, I was impressed by his understanding that the GOP was given a mandate in 1994 by the American people, but systematically lost it through poor leadership and failure to pass the full range of legislation that was expected with a Republican mandate.
I think Steele also understands that Republicans will need to do more than just demonize Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid. They will have to develop a message that resonates with the American people and is delivered by credible Republican leaders.
I do not know how well Michael Steele will embrace the tools of new media. Right now there is so much pressure on Republicans to change their methods of operation and better understand the application of technology to the political arena, Steele may be forced to move technology to the top of the priority list.
Michael Steele seems like an honorable man. He is well-spoken and clearly articulates traditional conservative values. At the same time, he is a relatively fresh face to the Republican party and should be fully embraced by the rank and file.
Submitted by Buffoon (not verified) on Fri Jan. 30, 2009 5:34 PM PST.
Well, Obama IS a media creation....
Hey curtis -
Call me a racist if it makes you feel better. Doesn't change the fact that you can count the blacks in the GOP on one hand.
The GOP is letting the Democrats lead yet again by the most sincere form of flattery - imitation! The GOP could get ahead of the Democrats by going ahead and placing a mentally challenged person in charge. Oh wait - done that with Bush and tried to do it again with Palin.
My bad.
If just one time we could honest w/ourselves-whether Dem or Rep-and admit that race ALWAYS affects our views,decisions when voting--all the people who said they didn't care Obama was black were usually unaware that if it wasn't an issue it would never be brought up in first place.Itruly voted for the person-for policies,values,Americas direction.Ihate being labeled "Liberal" but it sure beats war criminal or puppet for evil-doing. M Steel just afraid he really IS just token black for GOP rock on Obama
Umm, what are you talking about? MLK was a Republican? Do you honestly think MLK would be supporting any contemporary Republican positions? He would, of course, be no less critical of the Dems., but seriously...don't say things that stupid in public forums. It made me LOL.
So jonie hates being called liberal, but finds no angst in denigrating the opposite opinion "war criminal", or "puppet for evil doing"?
I think jonie "truly" is showing us her chosen ignorance, or, in other words stupidity. Please replay the primary and election tapes. It was BHO and the media who brought up the race card. It was BHO who first stated "they will say I look different than the rest of them." Back off the Kool-Aid.
Where's the hypocrisy? A wise man once stated that "men need to be judged by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin."
We've got a black president! Get over it! Where's the article stating that our newly elected president promised NOT to appoint a lobbyist AND did? Hypocrisy in action, correct? BHO is a man that is the latest president; he is not a demigod, he has not come down from Mt. Olympus to save us from ourselves. He is but one of us. There will be future presidents, future black presidents I am sure. But I will always defer to MLK.
The media, including MJ need to remove their respective lips from a certain posterior side of a certain person.
Submitted by Marie Burns (not verified) on Sat Jan. 31, 2009 5:34 AM PST.
So I guess it's -- "I'm very proud Barack Obama...has been able to exploit white racial guilt"??? Evidently Steele managed the same maneuver in Republicanland yesterday. Well, those GOPer's do have the guilt -- does this mean they've finally recognized it?
The Constant Weader at www.RealityChex.com
Once again GOP follows than lead. Palin & Steele is the answer to Hillary and President Obama?
Steele is an opportunist, fairly intelligent, and will hopefully bring the ideas of the GOP into this century.
Only problem is he'll have a hard time convincing people of color on his message when he speaks out of the different sides of his mouth when his audiences require it to be so.
MLK a GOP? Put down the crack pipe to the factual imposter. He never declared a party, and given his death was during his "poor people campaign" the GOP doesn't fit then or now!
Hey Jimmy - "Where's the article stating that our newly elected president promised NOT to appoint a lobbyist AND did?"
http://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/archives/2009/01/
11932_obama_william_lynn_revolving_door_lobbyist.html
Not saying MJ is entirely fair, but they got this one as well as the dude Geithner hired that was the second execption of the new lobbying rule.
Indeed Jonathan, Michael Steele is another Clarence Thomas, a highest-level black republican who not only betrays America but also betrays his own race.
It's time to disband the GOP Party of the Wealthiest and replace it with another party that truly represents all of "We The People" again.
Current events in congress continue to prove that we need at least one party that won't destroy the middle class, that is whatever is left of it when the current congressmen/women are done destroying the American Way of Life with business as usual politics that even President Obama has not been able to begin to overcome yet.
The greatest reality today is that the GOP for the last eight years has put all Americans into a long-term Katrina type disaster mode, and the storm damage was caused by Washington. Too many states and cities are following Louisiana and New Orleans into oblivion because the GOP hasn't cared about anyone but the wealthiest for far too long.
The GOP's new Limbaugh Doctrine of "I Hope Obama Fails" and Michael Steele are two of the latest of far too many reasons to replace the GOP.
Submitted by Kevin Schmidt (not verified) on Sat Jan. 31, 2009 3:49 PM PST.
The GOP stubbornly refuses to change,
even as they continue to alienate voters in huge numbers,
and predictably,
get routed at the polls on Election Day.
Yawn...
That's why the GOP is now known as
The Republican Dodo Party of Extinction.
Hey GOP Dodos!
I have a hot stock tip for you!
Mausoleums "R" Us!
There's a definite future in it for you!
Sorry, I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers.
Man. Republicans are falling all over themselves to tell us how MLK was a Republican. Never mind that the major parties are very different now than they were in 1960.
I guess you guys aren't claiming David Duke anymore?
Here's a point of interest, though. MLK may have been a Republican, but he was also a Socialist.
???
The reason McCain didn't get any press was the fact that he ran the most boring campaign in history until he put Palin in as VP. Reminds me of the old saw about Nader-we would never have to worry about riots as he would have the entire Nation in a Coma by his third Presidential Address. Steel is in Republican denial of facts just like all the other Republicans-They backed a Hawk for President instead of a Conservative and everyone in the U.S. lost out because of it..Why didn't they nominate Gingrich? Now that would havwe been interesting-two candidates with original ideas but nope, got McCain-a hawk to replace a Hawk-kinda for the birds!
curlyfester:
(great handle)
In the 1960s, the Republicans were stronger in the northern states and the southern states were dominated by Democrats. And you are correct, both parties were very different and today, only share a name.
As to Mr. Steele: This strategy will fail. Blacks might be the only ethnic group who will not vote conservative (en masse) regardless of how many 'brothers' are marched in as right-wing bill-boards. The Republicans would have had a FAR better chance courting Hispanics.
Lastly, a word about right-wing African-Americans: Some are sincere I am sure, (albeit a delusional sincerity). Most are prostitutes. They know it, we know it and they know we know it. They are just well compensated prostitutes, who, like a $2,500/night woman, can find a way to enjoy her job.
I for one beleive that the Republican program is too far right to sustain life. The "mortality rate" from this is greatest in the African-American community. They (the R's) worship money and exhault as saints those who control it. This is the greatest threat to the future viability of our society. The D's are no anglels either. But my great uncle Ezekial Trollstein used to say: If you have dug yourself a hole so deep that you can't climb out, the first thing to do is stop digging. The Republicans are the ones with the power shovels.
Curtis, apparently has it WRONG. The NAACP (in Florida at least) DOES have Black Republican members...in fact Republicans have taken leadership positions in their chapter! Check out this link, http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061228/NEWS/61....
Republicans and Democrats ?? Check out what a person stands for, not which party they claim.
The "conservative" Republican that just vacated the White House ran the national debt up beyond Pisces, using taxpayer money to BRIBE everyone in sight, treated the law like toilet paper, and tried to get daddy to pay for the WARS he started......Based on lies.
Were those "conservative values" at werk? What about Ron Paul ?? Is he a "conservative"...... And letz not forget all the "Democrat" Israel Firsters ala Leiberman He is/was a Democrat.... The labels LIE !!!!!!!!!
I see Steele has already perfected speaking opposite things to different groups. Like Obama said, real change comes from the bottom up, not the top down. The GOP has not stopped hating any moderate or liberal idea, person or group, and has no intention of changing. Their mentality is still white southern....they would rather lose and take everyone down with them, than compromise and help all involved.... seems the Civil war mentality lives on.
Steele, if you think you're getting your hands on the steering wheel, you need to talk to Colin Powell, who sacrificed himself on the WMD argument stake, and the GOP left him hanging, or J. C Watts, who was shut out of all the important GOP House meetings, even thought he was the 4th in power in the House. You're only the next obfuscating face of the party, and they will spit you out when you are done.
Trollstein - "African American Republicans are prostitutes". Name one, please.
Several come to mind, Clarence Thomas, Star Parker, Walter Williams, Thomas Sowell, maybe it is JC Watts in which you refer? I don't see it. Then again, I do not see how one spends our way out of a whole? Yes, Bush put us in the whole but BHO seems content to continue digging. Logic?
Billy, If the GOP changed its ideas to moderate with Dems, they too would be just another flavor of Dem, would they not?
They've just found their backbone again. I refer to the House version of the BHO spending spree. Passed w/o a single R vote. I heard it referred to as the "Porkulus" bill. Yea, Team R! (for once)
Jimmy:
Clarence Thomas is the best example from your list. To fully understand his profound lack of objectivity, in favor of fame and glory, one must first realize how fully dysfunctional our US Judicial system has become.
The law is neither fully a science or fully an art. Since rarely do two situations match exactly, that is where the art is applied. The science is supposed to cover the rest. But it does not. In the real world, judicial rulings are composed as follows:
a. Politics, as cultivated through decades of partisan fund raising and the consequent judicial appointments which follow.
b. Personal pride and the egos of the judges themselves, who after all are really just lawyers--without even a standard (lawyer) portion of humility.
c. Wishful thinking
d. whatever little conscience the given judge may have remaining in their souls.
e. Then comes science
f. Then comes art.
The African American community is the single biggest victim of the above dysfunctional. Numerous rulings regarding what constitutes a fair trial, reasonable representation by public defenders, pre-requisites for capitol punishment, re-opening of cases via DNA, etc. etc., have been rendered by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Supreme Court decision to appoint George W. Bush to the White House in 2000 was also a blow to African Americans, as they rely on a left-leaning government to best care for their interests. Even the giant budget deficit and federal debt which had accumulated over the past 8 years adversely effects the Black community worst because what has in fact occurred is a deferral of taxes from today's taxpayer to some taxpayer in the future. This benefits the affluent and is hardest on the lowest income strata.
So, to summarize, all the Supreme Judges are 'pimps' (to some degree). But the (metaphorical) 'working girls' are disproportionately Black. Thus, the Black pimp has committed the higher crime--for selling his own community on the street.
You wrote:
"Then again, I do not see how one spends our way out of a whole? Yes, Bush put us in the whole but BHO seems content to continue digging. Logic? "
Troll:
I agree that the Obama band-aid will not cure the infection. What is now needed is a serious set of new rules:
1. No commercial interest above 15% until further notice.
2. Credit reporting agencies MUST use a floating average to score the public.
3. US Government uses its funds to provide loan guarantees for those with above average credit scores, up to say $10,000.00 on low interest (5%) credit cards.
4. House cleaning at the SEC. New sheriff (with ammo).
5. House cleaning at the O.C.C. (New Sheriff).
And the Grand Dame of all Troll suggestions, a Maximum Wage. Nothing crazy. Some people (like Clarence Thomas) would call this communism. I call it maturity. Limit individual income to $1-million per month (yearly 12-mil).
Get rid of the crazy discount on taxes for Capitol Gains. This is a major part of the budget deficit and debt.. People who work for a living should rightly pay less taxes then those who 'invest'.
Oh, I almost forgot:
6. Higher minimum wage for part-time jobs then full time.
7. Employers should be required to collect and submit income taxes--on behalf of undocumented aliens. Non compliance should be severely punished.
Any other questions?
Submitted by long island girl (not verified) on Mon Feb. 2, 2009 7:12 AM PST.
As long as the person can perform his task and do his responsibilities, race is never a problem. However, it is also true that there will be a lot of differences, ideas, conflicts between the black and white people.
Trollstein,
While you make a few salient points, (no matter how utopian) is there a NON-partisan way to re-appoint a new SEC board? If so, behind the SEC you still have that elephant (no, not the Repubs) in the room; Congress. In my view, some of the biggest legal crooks of all.
As well, to guarantee a minimum income and restrict to a maximum wage/salary says nothing to "the land of the free."
Jimmy:
There is a (Black Democrat) woman lawyer named Consuela Washington, who works for the House of Representatives. She had been informally selected to head the SEC under Clinton. Her pending appointment had been withdrawn because she is a head-buster. You are respectfully mistaken about the Congress visa-vis' the SEC. Adequate laws are already in place and have been for decades, some going back to FDR (and before). They are merely being ignored by rubber-stamp administrators and disempowered or even reversed by prescedential decisions, on the part of the U.S. courts.
The same is true for the O.C.C..
You wrote:
"As well, to guarantee a minimum income and restrict to a maximum wage/salary says nothing to "the land of the free."
We already guarantee a minimum hourly wage. My suggestion would merely make it less profitable for large employers to split a few full time jobs into a few extra part time jobs. No change of core-character there. As to a maximum wage of $12-million per year: Anyone who does not consider themselves "free" on a salary of $12-million per anum, can wear my boot up there arse.
This should not be misconstrued as some sort of religious discussion. It is a way to:
a. Raise needed money to pay our national debt.
b. Teach our children that greed is NOT good.
PS> If "utopia" is defined as avoiding a national economic colapse and providing everyone with a better country, then we are in deep trouble.
So MOTHER JONES has gone from fearless journalism to carrying water for the DNC?
It's pretty obvious that a year ago he was speaking, abstractly, about Barack Obama. And it's equally obvious that today, he's referring to the media coverage that Obama received in the interim (remember -- in February, he was still just an usurper to the real heir apparent - Hillary Clinton.)
Submitted by Chico Brisbane (not verified) on Mon Feb. 2, 2009 11:38 AM PST.
I'm not the least bit surprised by these alternating Michael Steels. I just didn't expect it so quickly. It won't be long before they have him doing
a little softshoe and singing
a few bars of Baby Loves Shortnin' - It's sad to see any man proud of his puppet strings.
Steele's comments were made 6 months apart. It's clear that he respects BO but after having seen how the media supported the candidate, he didnt like it by the time the second comments were made. You have to read it in historic context of when it was said and what the question was that he was answering. This comparison is a clear straw man.
tommy golstch:
"America doesn't need a president who's a brand . . "
I had missed this obvious reverse-projection by MS.
Talk about a brand . . . Bush-W was the 4th in a line of US poltiical power mongers.
See: Samuel P. Bush
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Prescott_Bush
Each in turn screwed the nation more then the previous one. It would be a Woody Allen movie if it were not actually a tragety.
Pres. Bush 41 nearly dissapeared from history until a groveling Nixon wanted a Texas politician to help delflect conservative South-Western opposition to recognising Red China and George H.W. was the ONLY Republican in Texas.
