Has RNC Chairman Michael Steele lost his ever-lovin' mind? Or does he have a death-wish for his job? Ya gotta ask, because no sooner does he get out of sticky situation with his own committee members, than he lets his mouth toss him back into the fire.
On Tuesday, Steele gave a rousing speech at the Republican National Committee's organizational meeting: he said that it was time for Republicans to stop apologizing for past mistakes and now had to take President Obama "head on." But, he said, that it had to be done in a way that showed the dignity and "class" that Democrats didn't when criticizing President Bush. So far, so good. Then, on Wednesday, Steele convinced the RNC members not to try to brand the Democrats as the "Democrat Socialist Party." Great.
But then, on Friday, while filling in for Bill Bennett -- a role that has, arguably, gotten him into trouble before -- Steele declared that Obama was not properly vetted by the press because he was black:
OK, let's follow this train of thought: What does Steele think this line of attack gets him? Is this his idea of an attack that shows "class" and "dignity"?
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Does he think that it will lessen Obama's popularity -- which Steele admits? Does he think the public will suddenly turn against the press and Obama for being "duped, bamboozled, hoodwinked"? Instead of looking ahead and taking on Obama's policies, Steele is inviting a look backward -- on what the press woulda, coulda, shoulda done. Even worse, this politically-charged speech is playing with fire in Steele's own house.
Does he really believe that people in the media -- and a growing number in his own party -- don't believe that he became chairman because he was black? And, controversial as some of Obama's decisions may be, he is still seen as basically competent and good leader -- that's more than can be said for Steele's rocky tenure so far. Would another chairman who had committed so many faux pas -- including hiring friends for six-figure salaries -- still managed to have held onto their job? So, who's the one getting a pass because they are black?
This is vitriolic language that Steele should never have introduced -- taking the usual GOP claim that the press is liberally biased and introducing a race element into it. But, again, this is what happens when someone feels that they have to be a regular fill-in host for a radio show. You forget what your day job is and just roll into the host position. Statements that are perfectly fine to proffer as a conservative talk show host become decidedly problematic when they are uttered by the head of a party.
Steele should decide what he wants more: to be the leader of the Republican Party or just Rush Limbaugh with a better tan.
Robert A. George is a New York writer -- and African American too. He blogs at Ragged Thots.