Shock and Awe, Steele is a Moderate

[Arella]

Shock and Awe, Steele is a Moderate

By Don | January 18, 2009

Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele’s involvement with a moderate Republican group might torpedo his candidacy for the chairmanship of the RNC.

From the Politico

Michael Steele’s past association with a centrist group connected to former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman (R) has undermined his standing among social conservatives and is threatening his bid to become chair of the Republican National Committee.

Though the pro-life and pro-gun Steele built a conservative record in his home state, the former Maryland lieutenant governor’s one-time affiliation with the Republican Leadership Council, which religious conservatives view as hostile to their agenda, remains a deal breaker in some sectors of the committee.

“That is an organization that created itself for the purpose of eliminating a very important part of the Republican Party and its family values,” said Iowa Committeewoman Kim Lehman, who supports South Carolina Republican Party Chair Katon Dawson’s campaign. “Michael Steele crossed over a serious line.”

“In that field, the only one that would be my number six out of six choice would be Michael Steele,” said Iowa Committeeman Steve Scheffler, citing Steele’s “past deep involvement with the Republican Leadership Council.”

“They partnered with groups like Planned Parenthood,” said Scheffler, who joined Lehman in endorsing Dawson. “In my view, you don’t lend your name to a group if you don’t agree with them.”

This shouldn’t surprise anyone who has followed Steele’s political career. He always has been a moderate and is trying to appear more conservative to win the RNC chair race. For the members of the RNC who will be voting, they have plenty of other true conservative candidates to choose from.

[John Summerfield]

I suggest starting with FEMA.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-645

[Roger Stryeski]

Matt,

You have one of the most reasoned arguments on the prolife/prochoice concern that I have seen in years. As one who had three women in the house, I don't want to hear anything more about female issues. It is a third rail for a man to discuss. Presently, I equate it with my not eating fresh fruit. It has nothing to do about my opinion of fruit. I just don't. Despite the health benefits, it is not part of my life and I don't find that important to consider.

[Matt B]

Thank you. I end up having an opinion about everything, which gets me in trouble with my wife sometimes!

[Roger Stryeski]

I know what you are talking about. Even I shut up when she starts talking about tackling one her grandmother's Austrian recipes for dinner. I know where my brauten is sauered. Ditto rolladen!

[Michael Brennan]

After talking briefly with Mr. Steele, I have not found any reason to be concerned with anything from him concerning a loss of gun rights or any leanings away from opposing abortion or gay rights that most social conservatives rely on. As for experienced leadership, the former Lieutenant Governor has enough experience IMO to fit the bill for the Committee Chair. Remember he is NOT President, he is the National Committee Chairman. He is the head of the Committee that helps conservatives stay organized, and if you worked with any conservative politicians, they are not to good at staying the course in any organization. Liberals breathe and die by their associations with organizations and committees, conservatives love to go it alone. Mr. Steele brings to the RNC a personality that not only goes well with the media (highly needed at that level) but also the ability to stay focused on the issues at hand and bring cohesive cooperation amongst different factions. Remember the GOP is no longer strictly a conservative party and the DNC is no longer strictly a liberal party. Mr. Steele has more credibility than any democrat and to me, that counts.

Congrats to Mr. Michael Steele, NOW LET'S GET TO WORK!

[Terrence Abrams]

Hell yes, get it on!

[Michael Harrington]

I just cannot swallow this guy.

Yes Conservatives have a tendency to go it alone, we are the party of the individual, not the group. But so far there has been a number of questionable things this man has said/done which just leaves me with a sour taste in my mouth.

[Michael Brennan]

Who cares what Michael Steele has or will do. he is the hea of the RNC not the Republican party. Do you receive a paycheck from the RNC? If not then this issue is for NOTHING and is overblown on fluff and not facts. Mr. Steele is a glorified fundraiser and that is putting it nicely.

[gabe]

Steele is nothing more then the head of the RNC. He does not dictate Republican stances on the issues or in Congress. The RNC has only a few jobs and they are primarily to field candidates and raise lots and lots of money. Yes, he has done and said things that are questionable but the RNC's haul has been decent so far and they have been able to court a good first crop of candidates. Steele is a far better fundraiser and RNC head then he is a talking head. He needs to understand that every time he says something awkward the media will jump on it. Still he has done a decent job so far.