On Guard!

Posted on 01/31/2009 at 3:36 pm by Bob Cesca

by Lee Stranahan

One of the things I love about being able to talk politics in a group blog is the back and forth. So, he’s my response to Bob. Who knows; maybe another radio thing is in order?

I think anyone acting like the Steele nomination is meaningless are the ones letting down their guard. I’m on guard here; I’m saying “Look…this means something, let’s keep an eye on it.”

Bob mentions all the stuff the GOP has done in the last couple weeks that President Obama is in power. There’s no question that they are acting like the old GOP there. I didn’t look at a single action of theirs and think, “Hmmm….they seem to be getting a clue.” We’ve seen a scared, clueless, weak, and (importantly) leaderless GOP.

This Steele nomination indicates the first hint I’ve seen of a clue about how they need to adjust if they want to win elections in the future. Hint, mind you. Possibility. Steele as the leader of Republicans is clearly putting a new face on the party. If you like him, he’s a symbol. If you don’t like him, he’s a token. You know what, though? Same exact thing, called by different,biased names.

Moreover, Steele’s explicit goal is to modernize the Republicans. They have been clueless technically and when it comes to new media. But there’s nothing inherent in Republicanism that means they can’t figure out Twitter and YouTube and the power of effective graphic design.

Will the ideology change? I think it has to, if the Republicans want to win. And you can try to demean them all day but the Steele nomination shows some of them are serious about wanting to win, actually have a clue about what they need to change and are prepared to shake some things up to do so.

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  • http://themidnightsolution.blogspot.com LTMidknite

    And Travis should be coming in to blurt out his measely two cents in 5…4…3…2…

  • ceu

    Yes, the ideology has to change, but from what we’ve seen this past week, the GOP may not believe that. Their tactics have been and continue to be sleazy.And then there’s this from Steele’s 2002 run for Lt Gov.:http://buzzflash.com/articles/node/7571New RNC Chair, Michael Steele, Was Paid by the GOP to Run for Lt. Governor of Maryland. He Received a Party Salary to Run….”They are paying a guy to be on this ticket whose very presence is being used by Ehrlich and Republicans as a show of diversity,” he said of Steele, who is black. “They are the ones who call it the ‘opportunity ticket.’ We just didn’t know how much of an opportunity it was.”

  • http://themidnightsolution.blogspot.com LTMidknite

    But seriously, I don’t know what to make of this. On one hand it seems like good old fashion tokenism. On the other hand I saw people applauding Steele at the election and I saw people looking like they weren’t too happy.And now I see the GOP have made a response video to President Obama’s weekly address. Interesting

  • ceu

    it took 6 ballots, Midknite. I imagine there were a lot of people who weren’t too happy…

  • SamusAran

    Travis’ two cents (and Bob’s of course) are the only reason at least one of us continues to read this blog.

  • Armadillo Joe

    I see Lee’s point. But I only agree to a point. Yes, Steele represents some kind of a change for them just because he’s black.But the difference for me — bear with me on this analogy — is sort of like how Christian “rock” music is basically a sucky imitation of actual good rock-n-roll. Or how silly and embarrassing it is when grown-ups try to be hip by rapping or somesuch nonsense. It doesn’t arise from a sincere place, so it has the smell of “fake” all over it.Republicans are still always at heart racist bigots who love money and Jebus. Sarah Palin was a cynical choice and so is Jindal and so is Steele. They don’t answer the fundamental questions of what is wrong with the GOP and why the GOP’s solutions are wrong for America, they just repackage the same old crap in a away that some secretly bitter old white-haired fuddy-duddies think might be popular with the kids.Because this is still a democracy and they need votes to hold the appearance of legitimate power, no matter how unpopular they may be.

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

    Really respect your POV Lee. Unfortunately I see this as a cynical “me too” ploy like the Palin pick playing off Hilary.I do wish Steele some luck, as if the GOP becomes more moderate like it was in the past, it would only be a good thing for the country.I’ll need to see more than a gesture like this to buy it. Thanks Lee.

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

    So Lincoln was a ‘racist bigot who loves money and Jebus”? Eisenhower was?You’re describing the current brand. I’m suggesting that the GOP seems to recognize that it needs an update; the same way Obama has updated the Democratic brand.And Jindal was chosen by Louisiana voters; a pretty racist state, really, that doesn’t give two shits about token anything. Which means they ignored his race; it didn’t help him there. But the voters picked him.

  • http://themidnightsolution.blogspot.com LTMidknite

    >>>Travis’ two cents (and Bob’s of course) are the only reason at least one of us continues to read this blog.

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

    LTMidknite,Like Lee?

  • http://themidnightsolution.blogspot.com LTMidknite

    >>Like Lee?

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

    I think Travis, too, has a genuine belief in his response to some of the things Lee writes also. Travis just uses a unique flavor of language to portray it. Kind of like the unique language I read when I first read an article on Huffington Post by some guy named Bob Cesca.

  • Packy

    Lee,Your ideals are lofty and noble.But – if you actually believe that Steele somehow represents some major, or even minor, ideological shift in the Republican party, you are incredibly naive.It’s a lofty and noble naivete, to be sure… but naivete nevertheless.It’s not cynical or hard-hearted to mistrust someone who has fucked you over in the past. It’s merely good judgement.

  • SamusAran

    LTMidknite, I don’t think Travis is adverse for the sake of adversity – I think he is simply brave enough to say the things a lot people do not want to think or hear. The fact that he says them so bluntly is just part of his charm. Think of him as the Han Solo to your Luke Skywalker.But…uh…don’t forget who shot first.Travis – I’m sorry. I know you are perfectly capable of speaking for yourself, I just got a little jazzed. I’ll take you to a Baltimore hookah lounge to make it up to you.

  • http://www.broadwaycarl.blogspot.com Broadway Carl

    And Jindal was chosen by Louisiana voters; a pretty racist state…

    Precisely the point, Lee. The skin color changed, but the message didn’t. Until I hear something from Steele different than the usual party rhetoric, I’m holding my change cards close to the vest.

  • http://themidnightsolution.blogspot.com LTMidknite

    >>>I don’t think Travis is adverse for the sake of adversity – I think he is simply brave enough to say the things a lot people do not want to think or hear. The fact that he says them so bluntly is just part of his charm. Think of him as the Han Solo to your Luke Skywalker.

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

    If I thought that Steele some major, or even minor, ideological shift in the Republican party then I would have said that. But I said the opposite of that; the jury is out on whether the ideology will change.

  • http://themidnightsolution.blogspot.com LTMidknite

    >>>But…uh…don’t forget who shot first

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

    So what are we supposed to be excited for, again?Is it because the Democrats “tricked” the Republicans to pick a black guy?

  • Packy

    We’ve been Punk’d again?

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

    I really don’t know. I know Lee sees something positive in this mess, but I have yet to understand what it is.

  • Alan4s

    I don’t think this is what Lee meant, but there is a smidge of positive regardless of the republicans intent.There are probably at least one or two loyal red state voters sitting in their double-wides thinking that maybe electing a black man isn’t so bad, seeing as how there’s one in charge of the republican party right now.It’s a small change, but it might just have gotten us one baby step closer to being able to disagree with each other solely on the merits of our thoughts – not on the color of our skin.

  • SamusAran

    LTM, I was not insinuating that Lee shot anyone. I was making a dorky ‘Star Wars’ reference. Han Solo is the one who shot first. Remember the classic scene with him and Greedo and…*sigh*…never mind.

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

    Okay, I can get that Alan4s.I thought we were somehow supposed to be proud of the Republican party for casting their ballots for him.

  • emsique

    So what does Limbaugh think about this great leap of progressiveness?

  • eve

    Lee, I agree the repubs know something has to change. And I don’t believe everyone who is a republican is racist. Far from it.I also think that you are viewing this Steele thing with what YOU would do to change the party which I think is very different from the RNC’s perception of how to change. I believe you would look for ways to make the party more responsive to what voters want. They want to rebrand themselves. That means they care not to change who they are to better reflect the will of the electorate, but rather only how they are perceived.Their choice of Steele is an indication of the RNC’S extreme cynicism. They are going for window dressing and not substance. They believe that image is everything and that they can bluff about policy and political philosophy. It worked for quite awhile for the Bushies.If they truly wanted to appeal to a wider audience and be more inclusive, I don’t think they would have chosen someone as right wing as Steele.They picked someone who they think only makes them LOOK more inclusive.

  • http://TheAmericanView.com John Lofton, Recovering Republican

    FYI, might want to listen to my exclusive interview with Michael Steele and comment. Thanks. JL.http://www.theamericanview.com/index.php?id=1205And forget, please, “conservatism,” please. It will not “save” us because it has been, operationally, de facto, Godless and therefore irrelevant. Secular conservatism will not defeat secular liberalism because to God both are two atheistic peas-in-a-pod and thus predestined to failure. As Stonewall Jackson’s Chief of Staff R.L. Dabney said of such a humanistic belief more than 100 years ago:”[Secular conservatism] is a party which never conserves anything. Its history has been that it demurs to each aggression of the progressive party, and aims to save its credit by a respectable amount of growling, but always acquiesces at last in the innovation. What was the resisted novelty of yesterday is today .one of the accepted principles of conservatism; it is now conservative only in affecting to resist the next innovation, which will tomorrow be forced upon its timidity and will be succeeded by some third revolution; to be denounced and then adopted in its turn. American conservatism is merely the shadow that follows Radicalism as it moves forward towards perdition. It remains behind it, but never retards it, and always advances near its leader. This pretended salt bath utterly lost its savor: wherewith shall it be salted? Its impotency is not hard, indeed, to explain. It is worthless because it is the conservatism of expediency only, and not of sturdy principle. It intends to risk nothing serious for the sake of the truth.”Our country is collapsing because we have turned our back on God (Psalm 9:17) and refused to kiss His Son (Psalm 2).John Lofton, Editor, TheAmericanView.comRecovering RepublicanJLof@aol.com

  • http://unrelatedcontent.com Travis D

    And I don’t believe everyone who is a republican is racist. Far from it.

    I dunno bro, how many times does the water have to drop on one’s head before it’s safe to say the roof is leaking?

  • http://unrelatedcontent.com Travis D

    Secular conservatism will not defeat secular liberalism because to God both are two atheistic peas-in-a-pod and thus predestined to failure

    counterpoint

  • eve

    Travis, I do think there are plenty of racists in the RNC. I believe racism and cynicism played a large role in Steele becoming the head of the RNC. But I don’t think all republicans are racists.

  • 24hourjack

    no,all republicans arent racist.fine.but its fairly clear to me that damn near every racist is either republican or some greasy,backwater mutation of conservatism.i personally know three republicans,and they are all racist,homophobic and sexist.one is my dad.one is my brother.we can disect it as much as we like but as far as im concerned,the fact that republicans cant manage to pull in more than five or six percemnt of the black vote speaks volumes.regardless of the race of the dem. candidate.this is not merely a coincidence.and no,i dont believe that the democratic party is some sort of bastion of racial harmony and justice for all.but no matter what,electing steele cannot explain away a ninety percent disparity.

  • gypsysoul

    john lofton…>>>Our country is collapsing because we have turned our back on God (Psalm 9:17) and refused to kiss His Son (Psalm 2).this country was founded on un”godly”ness! genocide of native americans, slavery, corruption, etc… i actually think we are shifting towards a kinder, all things created equal world more and more each day. and it is the party that you are “recovering” from that “liberals” have been fighting against for the “godly” way of life! it’s just funny to me that you and your “old” party are the ones that have created most of the problems today yet you have the “moral” standing to quote the bible in a “you guys will see the light” kinda way!24hourjack…you’re absolutely right not all of the right is racist but absolutely all racists are on the right!also, i love how you say “i personally know three republicans”…haha…like they are rare unknown objects nobody can identify with! like “i personally know three aliens”…

  • sd4Peace

    The Reublicans proved they are serious about winning. I do not believe that they are serious about inclusion. I think Steele was picked to appear to be inclusive, without actually having to reach out to people.