Michael Steele had a golden oppor- tunity to lead the Republican Party into the promised land over the next few years. With Democrats falling like flies during recent elections, and more expected to be sucked down the tube of obso- lesence in November, Chairman Steele had a road paved to GOP glory.
In regards to having a road paved for fellow Americans of color to hop onto and run toward Republican bliss, that may be a bit premature. I am not certain if those among the GOP bigwigs intended to place Michael Steele front and center for the purpose of tenderizing the black community, but it’s all moot at this juncture anyway.
What the Republican Party is faced with now is a chairman who can’t seem to keep his trap shut – at least not at the times when it is deemed politically expedient. Personally, I respect a guy for having the guts to speak his mind even when unpopular (or stupid) to do so, but speaking one’s mind in an honest manner has rarely lead to success on the political stage, and this is no exception. On the contrary, we have a “leader” of an organization that has basically hung him out to dry. They still apparently need the face to shine forth and they also seem to think there is still some dim hope for his con- tinued success. But the fact of the matter is that the decision-makers in the GOP regard Michael Steele as a negative distraction, even a lightning rod of sorts who is hurting their overall cause.
As aforementioned, they don’t consider him enough of a detriment to the Party to axe him altogether and hide them in their proverbial cedar chest. It is as if they can still squeeze a few more drops out of ”Chairman” Steele by exploiting his services (not to mention his brown face) and using his charisma for their purposes. But take my word for it, the GOP have made him all but politically impotent. This continues to show us that when a leader of one of the major parties is placed in a position, that is exactly what has happened – he/she has been “placed” there and can just as easily be “displaced” if their jargon doesn’t line up with Party policy (just ask Howard Dean).
Once again we have a clear demonstration of a Party who has lost its way and doesn’t know how to be true to itself. Instead of relishing the diversity of viewpoints and stances and using those differences as a way to captivate those among the masses who crave true purpose and forward-moving positive results, we have a GOP who esteem party politics above conser- vatism. Fantastic opportunities have arisen of late for people of conscience to step up and show what they’re made of by voting along Constitutional lines. However, most have proven to have been hijacked by partisanship and have basically thrown their convictions overboard (refer to the Massachusetts special election in January). Yes, if they had followed their consciences and had voted for third party candidate Joe Kennedy in Massachusetts, he would have surely lost, as would have Scott Brown. But at least it would have shown the nation that nine months of protests and town hall get togethers were not in vain and would have likely galvanized conservatives across the U.S.
Now we have Michael Steele. A man who was quite possibly put in his position more for political purposes than for his qualifications (though he is quite astute) and who has been demoted for the same reason. At least now he should feel more free than ever to shoot from the lip since he has been dubbed politically irrelevant.
It almost sounds like something I would read on line at the supermarket on a National Enquire cover about that crowned monarch across the pond.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
JByron, To be honest, I consider what is happening with Steele as a blessing since I believe a 3rd party’s time has come. Until the GOP can once again prove to me that they, for the most part, embrace pure conservatism, I will be a RIRO (Republican In Registration Only). – Consti, Thanks for the thumbs up. Contrary to what seems to be popular belief on this site, there are conservatives here like you and me (Ben, JByron, et al) who, despite occasional GOP leanings, esteem the Constitution and Conservatism above any respective political party. We recognize folly from both sides of the aisle but also happen to have a nose for hypocrisy. Don’t let these characters sidetrack you from the points you are making – and making effectively.
I had such high hopes, perhaps partly because he repped conservative blacks, partly because he seemed reputable and able to relate to the masses.
Sadly, he fell into the big tent trap. Gathering diversity, instead of leading en mass with constitutional principles.
There’s a lot to like about him, I happen to be one of the unfortunates who think Afghanistan is a waste of time, except for keeping Pakistans nukes out of the hands of radicals.
What we need is a pre-1994 Newt with a new contract for America, and leadership.
I’ll get a haircut and shoot over to DC and see if they need me. Shhhh! on the OutRageToday Thing.
Erik,
I’d have to agree with you on this one completely. Steele has been as useless of a leader as a 5th leg on a horse. Many an opportunity has been missed by this man to insert rational conservative thinking and politics into the open. Their tactic of laying low and riding out the storm (Dems in congress) has done a dis-service to the party and those who support it. Many of the registered Rebulicans I talk to are unhappy that the party has taken this cowering approach. It’ s one of the reasons I droppped them as my party last year. It’s also the reason I believe that the tea-party has garnered so much support among the public.
BTW. I have to give you props on Brown. Like Obama I was willing to give him a chance, but unfortunately he’s come to be as spineless as you predicted. Us Old Schoolers would call it “whipped.”