Steele

Posted on 01/30/2009 at 4:18 pm by Bob Cesca

by Lee Stranahan

Michael Steele is the new head of the Republican National Committee. And he’s…ya know. What’s that thing that Rush Limbaugh keeps talking about all the time? Oh, right.

He’s black.

And you know what? I’m proud of our country. I’ve seen Steele speak enough to know I don’t agree with him. But some conservatives looked at the Obama election and while they didn’t like Obama’s politics, they knew that electing him meant something about our country…something important.

And I feel the same way about Steele heading up the RNC. I don’t think it matters much. Content of ideas, not color of skin. All that. It doesn’t really matter. But it SO matters.

So be proud of the Republicans for ten minutes today. Won’t kill you…and give the credit to our President and to all that voted for him. Steele is another sign that Civil Rights era of the 1960s is over. And that the good guys won. God bless America.

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  • camel54

    I’m usually with you, Lee, but this time I just don’t know. I can’t help but feel like this is nothing more than a tactic and Steele will be a pawn of his party–like blackface somehow intended to attract actual blacks.

  • kansasdem

    Just google this:it’s all about raceBwaaaaaaah, haaaaaaaaaaaaaah, hah! Cough, cough, gag, gag!

  • http://www.gravesdig.blogspot.com David

    My gut instinct tells me to agree with Camel… all of a sudden, they’re an inclusive party? The race-baiting is behind them? In 2 months?

  • rottnkid

    They’ll rush his ass out next mid term elections when the republicans lose more seats. You got to remember the dudes ghetto pass is expired. Send him to the hood to try and get black votes and see what happens. This dude is being setup to make an example for the right wing nuts..talk about red meat…

  • http://www.windonwater.net QueenTiye

    Camel54 – there are a lot more black republicans than one would suppose. What I HOPE this means for the Republican party is that those blacks have real voices in the party now. Think about Colin Powell, and his endorsement of Obama. That’s the possibility represented here – that there is actually another party, with another pov, that isn’t all about demagoguery.Time will tell, but I also congratulate the republicans.QT

  • JMY

    I’m an African American. I applaud the GOP for electing the first AA as Chairman, but this is nothing but pandering at its finest. Steele has done nothing to prove that he is a capable leader. Look at his failed Senate election and the silly, misleading tactics he used (Rounding up homeless people to pass out flyers identifying him as a Democrat).He’s a token and many people in the AA community are not that fond of him as he has gone out of his way to defend racist antics in the GOP. It’s one thing to be inclusive, but in a way this seems forced. As long as he the Republican ideology which is never going to change no matter what, behind him, the GOP is not going to secure significant vote.

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

    Camel, here’s the thing…and really think about this…You’re making the same argument Limbaugh is making. His view of Obama is that the ‘black thing’ is a front; a cynical attempt to win voters.I don’t believe it is – in either case. This means something about our country and our long ugly history starting to repair itself. And I didn’t say be proud of the GOP for even an hour. But 10 minutes…It may take all you can muster but really…hope and all that. If you want to act like this means absolutely nothing it won’t. I see it as meaning something…something good.

  • Packy

    Has Rush referred to Steele as “The Majik Negro” yet?

  • http://www.windonwater.net QueenTiye

    Front, pander, or no – years ago it couldn’t be done. No one would even think of it.QT

  • http://unrelatedcontent.com Travis D

    Some people will give credit for just about anything.

  • xrugly

    Michael Steele became the first African-American chairman of the Republican National Committee on Friday. Like it or not Mr. Bigot, one way or the other, you are now working for a black man. Life has its little ironys, no?

  • AC

    Another disingenuous, bald-faced bullshitter for the GOP. He is a master of logic-contortion, and his shamelessness ranks right up there with the best of ‘em. Is it post-racial to not give a damn if he’s black?

  • gypsysoul

    come on. this is the biggest “look we have one too” race related appointment! why do you think mccain ultimately picked palin?! the republicans simple minds saw that people were loving hillary and assumed it had to be because of her vagina so he had to get him one of those! and really aren’t all vaginas created equal?! (i just threw up in my mouth) steele is being thrown out as racial bait and he will be devoured by his own party, unfortunately, in time…lee, yes i know that is how rush sees obama which makes me 100 percent sure this is how steele is seen by them…queen, i would be more pissed at them using my skin color than rejecting me based on it.

  • Neel

    “It’s time for something different” – AKA change”This is our opportunity” – AKA this is our moment”it’s about empowering you” – this campaign was never about me, it’s about you, your lives and our future.”To the Northeast, we’re coming baby” etc. he also mentioned how he’d take the south, midwest and west. Basically a knock off of the 50 state strategy.The GOP need some originality instead of continuing the failed policies of their hero Ronald McDonald who presided over 2 recessions, iran contra, and a widening rich poor divide. Yes communism fell on his watch but saying “Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall” but I think bankrupting themselves in Afghanistan had more to do with it.

  • xrugly

    I gotta say, regarding the convo here on proud or trick which is it?I gotta say, how any minority can even be in the republican party is beyond me. You are just not getting it, or afraid to see, the whole old fashioned bible backed hypocrisy and bigotry of the republican party as it exists today and in the people piling in to scream for Sarah Palin.I mean come on, I voted republican, I’m white, I live in the south and even I know that for chriiiiists sake.If you for one second think that those pinched face tight assed white folk intend to let go and accept equality? you are really out there.ok thats it.

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

    I can’t help but think some people wouldn’t be happy with an RNC nomination unless they picked someone with a 100% Democratic voting record.Yes, Steele has lots of bad positions. He’s a REPUBLICAN. QED. We don’t agree with him. But to imply that he’s an Uncle Tom is actually pretty racist. And Steele ain’t Alan Keyes.This wasn’t Palin. That was one person’s crazy hail Mary. I can not like Steele or his ideas but still see that choosing him means something ESPECIALLY since it’s not going to win them an election. Nobody thinks POC are suddenly going to vote against Obama because of Steele – and they voted for him anyway.

  • J M Ashby

    I have to be honest here… I disagree with almost every post you have ever made mister Lee Stranahan, and this is more wood for the fire.Proud of the republicans for 10 minutes? Are you so gullable as to see this as anything other than a totally transparent token?Steele is a completely brainwashed silver-spoon fed asshole. His home is on Bizzaro Street in Bizzaro land. The last time he was on Bill Maher I thought the audience was going to assault him for being such a massive liar and a shill, and I was hoping they would.I can’t fathom how anyone could not see right through this for what it is, the GOP’s token black guy.What a joke.The republican party spent the entire election race baiting and drumming up their base now they shove Steele out in front of the party? Who the hell is in charge of the RNC? They want to keep Palin and they want to listen to Rush Limpdick, and then this? gimme a break

  • http://unrelatedcontent.com Travis D

    I can’t help but think some people wouldn’t be happy with an RNC nomination unless they picked someone with a 100% Democratic voting record.

    Much like I don’t keep up with the current leadership of the National Alliance, I generally pay no attention to the RNC’s leadership. But to give them credit because they picked a narrow-minded asshole who happens to be black is applauding for no real reason.

  • clauire

    Sorry Lee, I will never forget how Steele went on Bill Maher and defended Sarah F-ing Palin and George W Bush. He was a tool then, and a pawn now.The only real change here is that the Republicans saw a movement and capitalized on it. The problem is that it never seems like change when they do it.

  • thespacecowboy

    Until a few months ago, I didn’t know who Steele was. I saw him on Bill Maher’s show then and was wondering who the heck this guy was – ’cause he did not come across as the brightest crayon in the box.While it is nice to see something like this in terms of race relations and all that good stuff (this couldn’t have happened 20 years ago), the selection of this is rather questionable.

  • J M Ashby

    Oh and before anyone thinks otherwise, my opinion of Steele has absolutely nothing to do with his skin color. One of my best life long friends is black.Steele however, is completely full of shit and a shameless talking-point machine.

  • Ajabu

    As a Black male, I have been very aware of Michael Steele and his lunatic fringe ideas for quite some time.It’s a typical Repug scam right up there with Palin.They, and obviously Steele, don’t get it.They don’t get 10 seconds from me…

  • http://www.windonwater.net QueenTiye

    I think everyone is missing the point, and moreover – being profoundly unfair to Michael Steele.Yes, we get it – you’re against republicans. It goes without saying then, that you are against Michael Steele. BUT – the man was not appointed – he was elected chairman of the RNC. 6 rounds of voting. In an election where another of the frontrunners mailed out “Barack the Magic Negro” cd’s. To a republican party that has treated men like Colin Powell and J.C. Watts as RINOs for far too long, just because they aren’t nearly as closed minded as “the base” (isn’t that what Al Qaida means?) wants them to be. Michael Steele won the election for the leadership of that party. It’s not the biggest deal in the world – but it counts.QT

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

    Lee,Would you be this proud if Ken Blackwell were selected?

  • http://unrelatedcontent.com Travis D

    Michael Steele won the election for the leadership of that party. It’s not the biggest deal in the world – but it counts.

    What does it count towards? Is there a “black guys in charge” scoreboard somewhere?If they elected someone smart with good ideas (regardless of race), then maybe people would be doing backflips.

  • SillyGit

    Michael “the Tool” Steele has a nice ring to it.He should be a professional wrestler.I’m trying to see this your way Lee, but not having much success. I agree that this is not something that could have happened as recently as last year.Color me cynical, but I just can’t see this as anything other than a calculated stunt.Although there *is* the notion that he may have been the best of a very bad lot. He’s certainly better than that crook from Ohio and that inbred knuckle-dragger from Tennesee.Out of respect to you and QT I will be happy about this for 10 minutes. I have great sympathy for Mr. Steele. I don’t think that this will turn out well for him.

  • http://www.windonwater.net QueenTiye

    @ Travis: It counts as incremental progress on the other guy’s side.It means that he’s not just a handpicked flunky – he’s the elected leader of the party.@ SillyGit – me either, actually. But I am happy that change begets change. As I posted at HuffPost and my own blog – I don’t think this would have been possible unless Obama got elected.QT

  • gypsysoul

    this has nothing to do with us being against republicans and everything to do with republicans being against minorities! who voted him in? those same republicans that got their seat by running on white family values. so why? why do you think they all of a sudden decide to vote a black guy chairman?! can we say bandwagon?! which will utterly fail for them!stating that palin was “one” man’s hail mary?! i wasn’t aware mccain made all his campaign decisions sitting alone on the toilet!

  • http://unrelatedcontent.com Travis D

    those same republicans that got their seat by running on white family values.

    Don’t forget hating gays! Michael Steele’s a big fan of that, if memory serves.