This is what our local newspaper had editorialized about Michael Steele's new job:
Steele is the first African American to hold that job. His selection is a strong indication that his party, after its 2008 debacle, understands the necessity of appealing to young and minority voters - not to mention its need to strengthen itself in the Middle Atlantic and the Northeast.
Oh yeah. Strong indication indeed--but of what? If the GOP were not in such disarray and crisis and had not come out on the losing side in November--and in such a big way, would it dare have chosen Steele? Would he have even been considered? They could not find a former governor--they had to settle for a one-term Lt. Governor? The newspaper just doesn't get it. Oh and because he served as Lt. Governor in MD for one term where he distinguished himself by, by, by...wait a minute, I'm thinking, by being Black?--this will strengthen the GOP in the Middle Atlantic and the Northeast....and among the young and minorities?.....I can see it now.
"I am so excited about Michael Steele. Here I am, a young minority from the Northeast and suddenly I am excited about the GOP thanks to Michael Steele. I am going to become a Republican. Woow!! Michael Steele. He is soooo....soooo....Black. Just like Alan Keyes! Yeah. I liked Keyes and he was from Maryland (at least when it was convenient not to be in another state) but Steele is even....uuuh.....even...Whiter....I mean Blacker. I mean, whatever, I am just excited about the Republican Party because of Michael Steele. As a young minority from the Middle Atlantic, I watched Steele's career carefully while he was the number two guy in Maryland--and that's a Middle Atlantic state too! I am so proud to be a young minority person from a Middle Atlantic State...."
Quick--ask any American, no wait, ask a young minority American to name the chairman of either of the two big parties. I dare you. Who knows? Who cares? Wow, when Howard Dean was chair of the DNC, that just brought in so many young doctors from New England. The chairs of the two major parties are not exactly household names in this country. Maybe one-quarter to one-third of Americans know--or care who they may be. Having said that, I would think that young and minority persons would be excited, ummm, let's see, for example, maybe by Barack Obama? Yeah--I would think that would be exciting....oh, yeah, I mean it has been and continues to be exciting. Yeah--that Obama guy--he has certainly appealed to young and minority voters. But Michael Steele?
Please send comments, subscribe, share with your friends, and support our sponsors. Join us at Ahh Coffee! in Eastport almost every Thursday from 8-9 am.
Bay Daily on Hiatus
-
Congratulations to Bay Daily creator, Tom Pelton, who has accepted a
position with another organization working to make the world a better
place. In his ab...
10 years ago
7 Comments:
Can you please let us know the accomplishments of Anthony Brown or Kathleen Townsend? Didn't think so.
You need to really change the name of this blog you claim to be a news source to "If it aint Liberal it sucks" or "If it is GOP, it MUST be bad"
SO much for any semblance of impartiality
Oh my goodness. Have I offended someone's sense of propriety? Have I somehow said something impartial? Heavens to Betsy! However shall I set the record straight? And to think-the person who I have upset..is anonymous!! I, like Punxatawney Phil earlier today, have seen my shadow!
Geeze--just the other day, someone wrote in and accused me of having become so conservative that even Don Dwyer would like me now. So--which one is it? (In case you care--it was about the post "If the shoe fits"--have you read it?_
Now on a more serious note, I don't need to change the name of this blog--not because you or some other anonymous whiner does not like it. Second, if you have bothered to read more than a couple of the 1000+ posts I have published here, you'd know why your complaint is invalid. Third, I never had any semblance of impartiality. Fourth, I am not sure I can tell you much about Townsend or Brown, but they have not been elevated to chair a major political party--on the basis of their color either. Townsend never impressed me but she's out of politics--to the extent that a Kennedy can be. As for Brown, he has served in the House of Delegates and in the Army in Iraq. You can easily check his bio online. If Steele was so good, how come he could not even get re-elected to a second term? Or to the US Senate? He's a bright guy no doubt--and an accomplished man, but what make him so special? Go ahead and say it. I dare you. I think the situation with Steele is pretty clear.
As an independent who sways conservative from time to time, I gotta stick up for Paul on this one. Sometimes Pauls sense of humor doesn't translate well in the cracks of the internet but I know he means no harm. Having met Paul a few times, I understand his wit and sense of humor as tongue in cheek jabs without an outright attack.
But anyway... I for one am really happy for Michael Steele!
Drill Baby Drill!
or better yet...
Charge Hybrid Charge!
Charge Hybrid Charge!
Charge Hybrid Charge!
haha!
Ellis....Thanks....I guess.....What do you mean by saying "I mean no harm?"
You are going to ruin my hard-won reputation! I meant everything I said about Steele.....
My bottom line is that if it brings pleasure to many, provides for the common welfare, increases peace, love, understanding and freedom--than I am all for it....regardless of party affiliation....but it still has to pass the sniff test--always!
Paul,
Mike Steele is a smart, capable politician. He followed the party line while playing #2 to the governor of Maryland. Now, he gets to play on the national stage. What's he bring to the game?
OK...race. But that
is as weak a qualification as JFK's religion or FDR's polio. Steele primarily brings political skills and connections, charm and vigor. His task is to breath life back into the party, just like Dean did, in his wacky way, to the Dems.
You give Steele, and the Republicans, too little credit. They're playing their cards right -- lay low, recruit and reorganize, reinvigorate. It is, in the parlance of football, a defensive strategy. Steele is ideal to play it.
Generally, I agree with your assessment, Paul. RNC or DNC chairs aren't neccessarily high profile people, but they do a lot when it comes to fundraising and strategy development. Dean is partly responsible for the 50-state strategy Obama used to win. Steele is good in front of a camera, true, but more important will be what he decides is a priority for the party. If that's targeting minority voters, it may mean he takes a higher profile and becomes an outspoken leader. It's not entirely out of the realm of possibilities. He's basically the new leader of the party, since nobody else has stepped up to the plate.
It's easy to run a party for decades based on greed and race and then pick
a guy like Steele to make some kind of....statement? For th Capital to think it's such a big deal is ludicrous. Now if Steele does something meaningful, more power to him--and the GOP.
Post a Comment