The GOP shows some Steele
A new chairman who signals "change"
The GOP shows some Steele
Dick Polman, Inquirer National Political Columnist
By electing Michael Steele as its new national chairman late this afternoon, the Republican party did well for itself. Steele is an African-American from blue-state Maryland who has worked with moderates, assailed the GOP's recent failures, and stressed the party's need to reach out beyond its conservative base. He'll raise the morale of those Republicans who have been yearning for a sharp break with the past, although it remains to be seen whether he is fully embraced by the party's vocal religious-right constituency (among other things, Steele has opposed writing a gay marriage ban into the U.S. Constitution).
Steele, who plays well on TV (although now, presumably, he'll need to give up his gig as a Fox News contributor), will face daunting challenges; for starters, he has to bring the party up to speed on technology, and demonstrate that he can raise serious money for the key '09 races (gubernatorial contests in New Jersey and Virginia) and the 2010 congressional races. But, for now at least, his ascendence signals that the party isn't wedded to the status quo.
As one morale barometer, here is former GOP congressman/academician/author Mickey Edwards, writing late today on Politico:
"It has been hard to be enthused about the Republican Party - anti-intellectual, nativist, narrow, reactive rather than creative, unconcerned about constitutional violations. Those who claim the party has become the private fiefdom of Rush Limbaugh and other brain-dead airheads have certainly had policies and pronouncements to support their arguments (although, to be fair, the case is somewhat exaggerated). But now there is reason for long-time Republicans (count me in that category) to have hope. Michael Steele is bright, enthusiastic, thoughtful, inclusive. His election as party chairman signals that maybe, just maybe, the party leaders 'get it'; that they understand why the nation turned against them, and that they are willing to become creative partners in the task of national problem-solving. Simply put, this is the best I've felt about the Republican Party - my party - in years."
Richard, no smearing of your competition today? No defaming remarks of other journalists? What gives? By the way, I want Obama and Pelosi to look an umemployed worker in the eye and tell them that it is good for them that Pelosi's "stimulus" bill has $300 million devoted to family planning.— CD75- Congrats to the Republicans. Maybe they get it after all. We need a strong two-party system, not a moderate party and a bunch of yahoos on the right.— Djoko Pritza
- Phrossty, if you like Italian food, cool place in Rocky River: Stino da Napoli, 19070 Old Detroit Road.— Djoko Pritza
- cd, I want you to look an unemployed worker in the eye and tell him it is good for the richest people to get more tax cuts. Seems that 8 years of bush's cuts have done wonders for the economy, correct? Besides, family planning means less unwantred kids who would be a drain on the nation's medical, educational, and welfare systems, right? Don't you righties just hate paying for other peoples' freebies?— mike l
- The election of Michael Steele is a milestone for the GOP for ONE reason... he's a conservative. Steele comes from the Ronald Reagan wing of our party... not the RINO (Republicans in Name Only) wing! Steele understands the difference between outreach and comprising principles... something John McCain will never learn. The next 4 years should present a HUGE opportunity to point out the weaknesses of liberalism and strength of a pro-military, pro-state's rights and limited federal government philosophy. The GOP House vote this week was the FIRST step... as Polman said... they've got NOTHING to lose. Steele and the GOP should attack everyday, all day when the democrats violate tradional American values and wastefully spend our grandchildren's money on the 'porkulis'/stimulis plan... in other words, LOTS of targets to hit... LOTS!!! Stay on offense Michael Steele and House GOP!!!— JGD84
How can you give a tax cut to someone who does not pay taxes? Perhaps the unemployed would not be unemployed if taxes did not drain the lifeblood from the business that employee people? Family planning has no part in a "Stimulus" bill designed for short term impact.— rudytbone- Hey, JGD, the Republicans are all talk: "pro-state's rights." please. What about California's attempt to toughen up mileage standards? Suddenly, it was federal-government rights. The Republican Party is pro business, period. States rights? Only if convenient. The GOP is a party without integrity.— Djoko Pritza
- rubybone, where have you been? the issues you raise have already been discussed ad nauseum. take your talking points and go home.— Djoko Pritza
- Why was my last post removed? The above post talks about Italian food and somehow that's on point? I've played these games before and will send an email (I saved my comment because I've experienced these 'games' before on the website) and will send to the Omsbudman and your management.— JGD84
- Well, this is a surprise, and a good one. It is hard to imagine that the face of the Republican party is an African-American after 40 years of the Nixonian southern strategy. And of course he's a moderate, and he will have no interest whatsoever in pursuing the hatred strategy that JGD84 so eloquently represents. As he says, they have nothing to lose by doing that...because right now, they have nothing. I think Steele has a chance to marshal a principled conservative opposition that will be heard in the Obama administration, and may even get their way sometimes. And that is a good thing. And if that further marginalizes LimpBlimp and the rest of the blowhard haters, so much the better. If he doesn't succeed in wresting control of the party and its message and methods from the haters, though, the Republican'ts are looking at another 40 years in the wilderness. So either way it's a good thing!— yoda
- Do you think Bush's financing the Iraq war by borrowing is coming home to roost ???— ModerateMarge
- JGD, they just don't like you:)— Djoko Pritza
- Friday night news dump... what does Charles Rangel, Tim Geithner and Tom Daschle now have in common? They're all democrats who don't pay their taxes. BTW, Obama just asked the Defense Department to expect a 10% cut in funding... yeah Obama... way to go! Escalate the war in Afghanastan (Obama's War) and cut the defense budget... right out of the liberal playbook... you're making this TOO EASY! First the stimulus... now cutting the defense budget!— JGD84
- Rush is a fat angry man. That's not a prescription of longevity.— Djoko Pritza
- Hey, JGD, I'd think a righty like you would applaud people who don't pay their taxes.— Djoko Pritza
Cited by the Columbia Journalism Review as one of the nation's top political reporters, and lauded by the ABC News political website as "one of the finest political journalists of his generation," Dick Polman is a national political columnist at the Philadelphia Inquirer. He is on the full-time faculty at the University of Pennsylvania, as "writer in residence." Dick has been a frequent guest on C-Span, MSNBC, CNN, NPR and the BBC. He covered the 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004 presidential campaigns.
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