My Final Thought On Steele

Posted on 01/30/2009 at 5:12 pm by Bob Cesca

by Lee Stranahan

If you feel cynical about this, please consider these words…emphasis added, obviously…

The profound mistake of Reverend Wright’s sermons is not that he spoke about racism in our society. It’s that he spoke as if our society was static; as if no progress has been made; as if this country – a country that has made it possible for one of his own members to run for the highest office in the land and build a coalition of white and black; Latino and Asian, rich and poor, young and old — is still irrevocably bound to a tragic past. But what we know — what we have seen – is that America can change. That is true genius of this nation. What we have already achieved gives us hope – the audacity to hope – for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

Barack Obama: A More Perfect Union

When I saw people on Inauguration Day who refused to be moved…who wouldn’t allow their hearts to open up to the history in front of them…I didn’t want to argue. I just felt badly for them.

I’ve been going back and forth in comments a bit. I don’t wish to argue. If you can’t see the Steele nomination as a sign of change in America…if you can’t see it any way but cynically….then it’s not your mind that needs changing, it’s your heart. And nobody can do that. It’s a choice that comes from within.

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  • http://unrelatedcontent.com Travis D

    You were at the inauguration? Or are you referring to bloggers?Also, maybe you should have completed the thought in your original post.Finally, if you don’t want comments, maybe you should limit your musings to your own blog?You’re either being naive or you genuinely can’t see the fact that Steele is in fact being defined by his awful politics (rather than his race).Either way, this kind of “I look down upon all of you” dreck isn’t going to win you any new fans.

  • gypsysoul

    HO-LY SHITBALLS! lee, you are off your rocker! i know that is a lame insult but words fail me after that!

  • J M Ashby

    Steele is a talking-points consuming/regurgitating machine. He is not only shameless, he is souless. And hes not even any good at being a shamless talking-point robot. When he says things it comes off as completely force-fed and empty. The republican party could come up with much better talking heads than Steele, so it seems obvious to me they picked him for his skin color. America did not pick Obama for his skin color, he simply had the best ideas. It just so happens he was black. Steele is deffinantly being chosen for being black, not his politics.So is a change made for exploitation’s sake, really any change at all?

  • Packy

    Lee,The GOP has proven, time and time again – and as recently as Wednesday – that as a group, they do not take an action simply because it is the “right thing to do.”There is always an ulterior motive with these guys.Time will tell if Steele’s nomination reflects genuine change – or if it’s just another cynical shell game by a cynical, opportunistic political party.From my observation, the smart money should be on the latter.I feel that way not because my heart is hard – but because I’m not naive enough to believe they’ll change their spots overnight.

  • JMY

    It’s not that I don’t this should be applauded or is a sign of change – even the Democrats never had a black chairman. It is that I’m skeptical about this choice. I get the sense that this was done to appease and pander to minorities to prove that the GOP is inclusive. Ask yourself this: would this have happened if Barack Obama wasn’t elected? Or if our president was white? I don’t this so. Steele hasn’t done anything of significance and even failed as a Senate candidate. This seems in some ways fake to me. They are tying to appeal to minorities, but it won’t happen. I don’t care if they have a black Chairman. As long as their ideology is the same, in a party dominated by whites, an ideology that reeks of racism, sexism, homophobia, etc., they will never be able to appeal minorities. Maybe with the election of Steele its a start, but knowing his ideology and the things he has said over the years, I won’t count on it.

  • Ajabu

    Why not Ron Christie. He’s just as Black, just as Repug and just as crazy. That’s my heart talking, Lee…

  • Ajabu

    Why not Ron Christie. He’s just as Black, just as Repug and just as crazy. That’s my heart talking, Lee…

  • http://unrelatedcontent.com Travis D

    Bobby Jindal isn’t white, does this mean that he’s awesome too?

  • http://www.leestranahan.com Lee Stranahan

    I wasn’t saying don’t comment, at all. Sorry if anything I said caused anyone to think that.I was explaining why -I- don’t want to get into back and forth thing with anyone, that’s all.But gyspy – I have no idea why quoting Barack Obama is crazy.

  • gypsysoul

    lee, nice try. you know i was refering to this little gem…>>>Steele nomination as a sign of change in America…if you can’t see it any way but cynically….then it’s not your mind that needs changing, it’s your heart. And nobody can do that. It’s a choice that comes from within

  • kansasdem

    It. Is. Cynical.

  • http://www.leestranahan.com Lee Stranahan

    Gypsy – I see the same problems with Steele that any Democrat in their right mind would. But I can also choose to see past those differences to see the wider importance and context of this…And I don’t know how else to phrase that. It’s a glass half empty / half full situation. I don’t choose cynicism. If someone else does, it doesn’t effect me and I have no control over it.

  • http://unrelatedcontent.com Travis D

    I was explaining why -I- don’t want to get into back and forth thing with anyone, that’s all.

    Intellectual cowardice, right?

  • http://www.leestranahan.com Lee Stranahan

    Once again, Travis, you demonstrate a deep commitment to intellectual honesty and a truly generous spirit. God loves you, Travis.

  • http://unrelatedcontent.com Travis D

    If you’re going to make stupid statements, at least be bold enough to back them up. That’s all I’m saying. Can’t see what your superstitions have to do with it.

  • http://nanotyrnns.blogspot.com/ Nanotyrannus

    I think I’m willing to sit back and see what transpires, Lee, but I don’t think for a minute the Party itself has changed. What will be interesting to see is if Steele will be able to bring any change to his Party. If he can take it in a new direction, if he can put out the word that The Limbaughs and Hannitys don’t speak for the Party, if he can begin to mold the Party into something other than a regional Klan festival, then that will be something. It will be an uphill battle, though, and the base will fight him every step of the way.I’ll wait and see, but remember, the change that the Democratic Party has recently undergone came from a first term Senator that we hadn’t really heard of before 2004. It came from outside the Party establishment. I think that’s what will be required for the Republicans. The Old Guard is not going to change, they are going to have to be ousted.

  • http://www.leestranahan.com Lee Stranahan

    Nano – I never said it’s a sign of the Republican party changing; I said it’s a sign of the country changing. Big big difference.

  • http://www.leestranahan.com Lee Stranahan

    Shorter Travis : Insult. Deliberate mis characterization. Harumph. Insult. Hair flounce. Lip purse. Stamp stamp stamp. Insult. Stamp!Richard Dawkins loves you, Travis!

  • gypsysoul

    lee, i agree the world is changing but this steele thing has nothing to do with it. or the republican party in my mind…

  • http://themidnightsolution.blogspot.com LTMidknite

    >>>Shorter Travis : Insult. Deliberate mis characterization. Harumph. Insult. Hair flounce. Lip purse. Stamp stamp stamp. Insult. Stamp!

  • http://www.windonwater.net QueenTiye

    Wow – you guys are just plain stubborn.Lee has stated these things:1. He’s read/heard Steele, and doesn’t like him.2. He doesn’t agree with any of Steele’s policy ideas.Why the hate? What’s so hard about recognizing that even the opposition – the folks who disagree with you on everything, nevertheless are evolving toward something better than they were?Tomorrow’s republican party, as Bob notes in the next thread, may be no different than today’s republican party. WIth one exception though, if Steele is genuinely allowed to lead. Race-baiting will not be the primary strategy of the Republican party. Steele says he’s going to compete in the NORTHEAST! No way race-baiting will be the main strategy for the republican party with that agenda.Before anyone goes all batsh!t crazy (as you all like to say), the republicans will likely STILL be against gay rights, and abortion. They haven’t turned into democrats by electing Michael Steele, and the culture wars aren’t over. But progress – or at least the chance of it – has come to the Republican party. No one is claiming more than that.QT

  • The Minx

    I’m with you on this one, Gyps. The United States IS changing, but having an African-American puppet figure-head as head of the Republican Party is NOT proof of it.

  • gypsysoul

    this is not about being stubborn. this is a difference of opinion. which in all honesty i am surprised by your stance queen…just a few more comments…>>>1. He’s read/heard Steele, and doesn’t like him.2. He doesn’t agree with any of Steele’s policy ideas.we are not talking about this…the thread is about republicans picking a black chairman…>>>Steele says he’s going to compete in the NORTHEAST! No way race-baiting will be the main strategy for the republican party with that agenda.the northeast is still liberal right?!>>>But progress – or at least the chance of it – has come to the Republican party. No one is claiming more than that.i don’t think selecting a “token” black guy is even a chance that they are heading for progress…

  • clauire

    Lee, you are completely missing the point, and yet you say that we are the ones doing that!I don’t see this as a big step forward because this choice had nothing to do with anything but craven politics at its worst. This is the Republicans saying “Look, we’ve got one too!”The difference is that Obama was elected by a broad swath of people of different creeds, colors, and parties. He defied everyone to bring a huge change to politics and the ideas of what a person of color can achieve. That is why we honor him.Michael Steele won 91 votes on the sixth ballot against the segregationist candidate when the choice was ignorant vs. crazy.How you can even equate those two victories as similar is beyond me.

  • Alan4s

    Even if the move was disingenuous, if it was just a copycat “we-have-one-too!” ploy, if Steele is nothing more than a puppet propped up on the stage, the move will still have a positive impact in the long run.The Republican party has a significant number of ignorant, non-thinking, follow-the-leader morons who will see this move and think, “hey, maybe there are some niggers who aint too bad!”. We may not care about those morons, but it is a teeny-tiny bit of progress, don’t you think?To be honest though, I think right now anyone elected to head the RNC will be pretty much irrelevant to the real issues.

  • http://www.ieatgravel.com/ Alaska (I Eat Gravel)

    This isn’t a step forward for the Republicans. It’s a step backwards.

  • http://unrelatedcontent.com Travis D

    They haven’t turned into democrats by electing Michael Steele, and the culture wars aren’t over. But progress – or at least the chance of it – has come to the Republican party

    “There will be no progress, but this is progress”

  • http://www.windonwater.net QueenTiye

    @gypsy: If you are surprised at me, then we are likely misunderstanding each other, because my position is pretty consistent. Some in this thread (and the other ones) have made comments about Lee’s post as if to imply that he was liking republicans, or even liking Mike Steele. Or, it seemed that way to me. Lee’s point (I think) has nothing to do with ideology, and everything to do with the fact that we’ve arrived at a place in history when it is possible to turn the reins of one of the major national parties over to a black man. That IS progress, and it IS worth a moment of recognition. MY point perhaps goes further – in defense of Steele against those who want to say he’s just a token so the achievement doesn’t matter. He’s NOT just a token. He ran for the office, it was stiffly contested, and he won. Yes, the Northeast is still liberal. Why did you ask that? I mentioned Steele’s intent to compete in the NE because doing so means changing the tone of the party.@Claire: I’m not less proud of Obama’s achievement just because he won the election in a country that (still, and during the course of the campaign) had people calling him an uppity “n~gg~r.” America still harbors racism. Who doesn’t know that? Doesn’t change the fact that progress has been made.@Alaska: I am interested, because I think you’re saying something about Steele’s politics. Why do you say it’s a step backwards?QT

  • http://unrelatedcontent.com Travis D
  • gypsysoul

    qt, i love ya and we have to agree to disagree on this one.

  • http://www.ieatgravel.com/ Alaska (I Eat Gravel)

    There’s this.Don’t forget to follow the link about how during his campaign in 06, he put out blue signs that said”

    STEELE
    DEMOCRAT

    Just another lying, cheating, trickster, Republican.

  • shane

    So as I understand it, you want us to feel inspired and uplifted because an African-American man was selected to be chairman of the RNC. What’s that thing MLK said about how we judge someone….oh yeah, not by the color of his skin but by the content of his character. The beauty of Obama, of being able to vote for Obama, was not that we’d be making him the first black president, it was that we’d be making a man Eminently Qualified by his intelligence, eloquence, temperament and judgment the first black president. It’s too hard not to see the elevation of Steele as a cyncial (you got black? WE got black, too! Vote for us!) ploy by the Republicans to position themselves as inclusive and respectful of diversity – AS IF. So….no cause for celebration here.

  • camel54

    The two threads on this subject have been wild. I just want to say to Lee that I do know what you’re saying–that something not remotely possible a few years ago has now happened and that’s impressive. That despite the fact that Steele is a revolting character, we now live in a world where characters despite their color can rise to positions of leadership. I think it’s great that my daughter will grow up in that world. In that regard, sure, I can see something positive.I can’t understand why some people here assume you are some how supporting Steele or think he, the man himself, is a version of progress. I don’t, just so you know.Still, I do feel like the Republicans are showing us their black friend to prove their not racists. I think they are scheming, manipulative bastards who did not do this with the intention of making the world a better place.

  • http://jaykamins@yahoo.com jay Kamins

    First there was Hilary Clinton. She was so popular that she nearly became the Democratic candidate for President.Days later, the GOP is looking to appear fresh and vital… get a little bit of the progressive edge to not make them look like a bunch of old white guys for a party mostly of old white guys. And so…SARAH PALIN IS BORN! Skirt! Heels! Vagina! Estrogen! Surely this shows they can be every bit as forward thinking as those liberals.Alas, their “Hilary-lite” choice had more star-power than political acumen, and was soon discredited by the majority of informed voters.Well, at least the GOP learned a lesson. Never again would they cynically pick a leader in a desperate attempt to appear progressive. Surely they would reform themselves now, and base their decisions based on a true desire to dig deep and figure out what they truly have to offer the country in the 21st century.WRONG!http://tipandwag.blogspot.com/

  • http://tipandwag.blogspot.com/ jay Kamins

    First there was Hilary Clinton. She was so popular that she nearly became the Democratic candidate for President.Days later, the GOP is looking to appear fresh and vital… get a little bit of the progressive edge to not make them look like a bunch of old white guys for a party mostly of old white guys. And so…SARAH PALIN IS BORN! Skirt! Heels! Vagina! Estrogen! Surely this shows they can be every bit as forward thinking as those liberals.Alas, their “Hilary-lite” choice had more star-power than political acumen, and was soon discredited by the majority of informed voters.Well, at least the GOP learned a lesson. Never again would they cynically pick a leader in a desperate attempt to appear progressive. Surely they would reform themselves now, and base their decisions based on a true desire to dig deep and figure out what they truly have to offer the country in the 21st century.WRONG!http://tipandwag.blogspot.com/