GOP Continues to Shoot Itself in the Foot! Resolution Offered to Curb Steele's Power

[Chris Arps]

From the Washington Times:

"A battle over control of the party's purse strings has erupted at the troubled Republican National Committee, with defenders of Chairman Michael S. Steele accusing dissident RNC members of trying to "embarrass and neuter" the party's new leader.

Randy Pullen, the RNC's elected treasurer, former RNC General Counsel David Norcross and three other former top RNC officers have presented Mr. Steele with a resolution, calling for a new set of checks and balances on the chairman's power to dole out money.

The powers include new controls on awarding contracts and spending money on outside legal and other services.

Mr. Steele could not be reached, and a spokesman for the RNC chairman declined to comment on the move."

[Glenn]

Unfortunately Chariman Steele has thus far proven himself to be far less than "The Man Of Steel" our party so desperately needs. Thus he has made himself a target for these arrows that eminate from within primarily due to a lack of confidence.
Without a doubt Michael Steele has a tough job ahead of him. His biggest test in leading the GOP at this point and time is to not allow his leadership to be marginalized from within by detractors who would view him in the same manner as most conservatives view Barack Obama in his current position.

I believe, Michael Steele is the right man in the right place at the right time - but whether or not he is able to deliver the big hit is going to depend on his ability bring our party-leaders together cohesively in crafting and delivering a new dimension in communicating conservative values to America. Long overdue is the need for Republicans to articulate clearly and effectively to all peole across this land that the values and ideals that made America a great nation are the values of the Republican Party.
But even more than that our message must speak to people at all economic strata - letting them know that fiscally responsible governments - both at the federal and state level - limited in scope and size equals more opportunity for everyone. Less government equals more entreprenuerial and business opportunities, lower taxes on productivity and de-regulation equals greater investments in our economy which results in increased job creation and true economic stimulus.
Finally as Conservative Republicans we must never turn our backs or shy away from our Moral Convictions and the foundation of those convictions. America was founded as a nation that recognized God as the Creator and Soveriegn.
All of our individual claims to life, liberty, freedom and happiness are derived from The Word of God. Faith in God and the teachings of the Bible was an integral part in the philosophies of the majority of our founding fathers. As a nation we have been incredibly blessed (Blessed by Almighty God) with properity and abundance and leadership. Shame on us as a people for not recognizing the lessons of the Bible and turning our collective backs on God by not standing up for The Truth and allowing this a-moralistic culture to thrive to the point where we are on our way to becoming a God-less society.
We cannot allow this to continue.....something needs to be done....it can be done... it has to be done.... it must be done.

[Eddie Huff]

Eddie Huff said:

Chris,

Your title reminds me of one of Raynard Jackson's titles, yet your post is far from anything resembling Raynard's off base assertions. So I would say first of all that your title should be more reflective of the actual content. From there, let me say that battles over purse strings are nothing new to either Party. The same was said in 05 when Howard Dean took over and even when Terry McAuliff ran things. Certain constituencies will always feel they are not getting the $$ they should. The proof will be in the 2010 mid term elections. By the way currently the RNC has 3 times the money in their coffers than the DNC, so Mike Steele must be doing something right.

He has also finally clarified his position, I believe, that being that he supports the so-called move to the right. But let me say something about this so-called move to the right. What if there is no move to the right at all? What if it only looks like the GOP has moved to the right relative to the Dems move to the left? I suggest that the real deal is that the Democrats have moved so far to the left that it only looks like we have moved to the "extreme" right.

The pro Life movement was there all along, it has just been eroded. Traditional marriage has always been the view but the gay lobby has moved the ball. Our immigration and sovereignty issues were the norm, but now they are considered extreme. Believing in a biblical worldview was the norm, but we are now to believe that this worldview is abnormal and extreme.

I reject this. We have not moved, the rest of the world has and we want it back.

Eddie Huff
executive Director
Booker T. Washington Inspirational Network (BTWIN)
www.booker-t-washington.com

[Chris Arps]

With party defections, the loss of a special election, and coups underway to replace Steele or usurp his power - three months into his term - that you can actually say with a straight face that this doesn't look absolutely terrible from a public relations stand point astounds me. ("shooting oneself in the foot") If what they're trying to do to Steele is "routine," please cite us another recent example where this has happened to a Chairman of the Republican Party. And if it is "routine" it's stupid to do it now for the reasons I cited above.

I've never met Mr. Jackson, but if he would agree with me that this looks terrible for the party, then i welcome the comparison with him and don't consider it the insult that you intended.

[Stephanie Rubach]

Stephanie Rubach said:

Michael Steele is seen as being too 'moderate ' by many conservatives which could be the basis of conflict in the GOP. If this is the case, then perhaps he should step down from his leadership position because we can't cleanse the party by watering it down. Hopefully he proves to be a true conservative and is allowed to give the Republican Party the leadership it so desperately needs.

[Eric J]

Eddie Huff said: What if there is no move to the right at all? What if it only looks like the GOP has moved to the right relative to the Dems move to the left? I suggest that the real deal is that the Democrats have moved so far to the left that it only looks like we have moved to the "extreme" right.

The pro Life movement was there all along, it has just been eroded. Traditional marriage has always been the view but the gay lobby has moved the ball. Our immigration and sovereignty issues were the norm, but now they are considered extreme. Believing in a biblical worldview was the norm, but we are now to believe that this worldview is abnormal and extreme.

I reject this. We have not moved, the rest of the world has and we want it back.

Eddie Huff
executive Director
Booker T. Washington Inspirational Network (BTWIN)
www.booker-t-washington.com


AMEN, brother.

[Chris Arps]

Regardless of how you feel about Steele and his conservative credentials or lack there of, it's shameful what a couple of back biters within the RNC are attempting to do to this man. Steele's 2006 Senate campaign was under fire for paying his sister's defunct company for campaign work. His detractors are simply trying to subtly put this issue back in the public realm by coming up with this resolution to limit his control of the purse strings.

[Jonathan B. Smith]

Perhaps we should just call it like it is...there are some within the GOP that have a problem with a black man holding the type of power that Steele holds. While I am completely against the liberal agenda as it relates to gay marriage, abortion rights, tax policy, bigger government, and national defense, numerous recent GOP-sponsored activities are peppered with the racist legacy that is the foundation of this country. It's as plain as day...we elect a black (Democrat) President when the country is at its weakest moment in recent history; and the GOP selects a black man as its leader at its darkest moment. What's up with that? We can't get the Cadillac when it's bright, shiny and new? We have to get it when it's leaking oil, smoking,and needs an overhaul.

I'm a God-fearing human being first, I'm a so-called multi-ethnic American black man second, and my political leanings an affiliations are a distant third. I agree with much of Mr. Huff's statement, but we've got to stop 'acting' like politics is color blind. I've been to GOP meetings in Louisiana and Georgia, and I'm greeted by those fake-behind "we're so happy to see you" smiles. Bull-sugar! What they really want is someone to follow their marching orders and deliver them the black vote.

The GOP should develop an urban policy to deal with the problems that face urban America. The Democrat Party's failures have been well-documented, but they still somehow connect with the majority of black Americans. Still, the passage of Proposition 8 in one of the most liberal parts of the country should bring us hope. Also, black Californians overwhelmingly supported this measure even though many of them supported Obama for President. Fact is, black people CAN be issues voters IF the political parties speak to the issues that concern us. Crime, education, taxes, and national security concern me greatly. Unfortunately, the Rush Limbaugh's of the world continue their little rants which turn many of us off.

I think it's time for conservative and moderate black Americans to come together, and make BOTH political parties aware that we have a voice. We might not agree on ALL political matters, but we can demostrate our formidable political awareness and influence in helping to elect more centrist black politicians. Black GOP politicians fail primarily because they preach the GOP mantra and do not address the issues faced by their constituents. We can blame the media all we want, but the fact is that WE have handed black America to the far left because we are not willing to challenge the right on many issues.

[Wayne Johnson]

Rememenber; President Bush, who gave Black Republican seat's at the table of world leader's and party official tried to undercut them with tactic's. Then he gave us Predident Obama. Now, the questiion is whether parly official's turly give black's real meaning or just image?

[Donald E. Scoggins]

Its not enough space to actually say what's needs to be said regarding this matter though actions taken recently to curb Chairman Michael Steele's influences over organizational finances at the RNC further illustrates problems existing within the GOP. Whether reasons for real or imagined such an initiative shows the political tone deafness of the party and why elections across the country are being lost. Despite questions surrounding Mr. Steele's conservative credentials efforts to reduce his effectiveness only fuels public perception the Republican Party is unwilling to share control with persons not part of the good old boys network and also unafraid to exercise some backbone. www.blackgop.ning.com

[Brandy Pedersen]

We lost the election due to the fact that Mc Cain was more of a moderate, and I feel Steele may be leaning in that direction as well. We need someone that is a real conservative. They must have a good strong record and someone that had a personality like Reagan had. The people want someone they can relate to.

[Roosevelt Evans III]

The labels, liberal, moderate and conservative work find in a simplistic, absolute, "black and white" perspective or worldview, but reality is a complex, relative world of infinite "grey areas". The vast majority of the moral and mundane decisons that must be made in this world should be made by the indiviual, not the State or government. Government should only intervene in these indiviual decisons when there is discrimination, injustice or exploitation of other individuals or citizens. As I see it, the government has no right to forbid abortion, stem cell use, the right to "bear arms", pot smoking or legal use of the word "marriage". Citizens can be liberal, moderate or conservative. Government should stand for personal freedom and responsiblity within the "rule of law" and the Constitution. The Republican party that took the lead in the abolition and civil rights movements was not conservative,moderate or liberal but were lovers of personal freedom and responsiblity. The GOP needs to go back to it's roots, which is not conservatism.

[Rand A. Cottrell]

I love Michael Steele, though his leadership has been somewhat lacking. Though I have yet to see a thoroughfare to having him replaced in such a short amount of time as 2010 is right around the corner. Maybe pleas to his Conservative loyalties should be made by some heavy hitters. Every great Conservative has gained immense ground by steadfastly basing all judgments on their value system. Unless his value system is something other than what he has portrayed as of lately. Any suggestions as we have such very little time? Thanks Rand