First African American to head GOP

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 4:08 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Michael Steele became the first African American to lead the Republican Party, two months after Barack Obama was elected the first black president of the United States.

Video: Michael Steele makes his acceptance speech as the newly elected RNC Chairman.

It took six rounds, but, in the end, Steele pulled it off, staving off South Carolina Party chair Katon Dawson, by a 91-77 vote. (This means, of the Anuzis votes, Steele picked up 12, Dawson got eight.)

"As a little boy growing up in this town, this is awesome," Steele said. "It is with a great deal of humility and sense of service that I thank all of you ... to serve as the next chairman of our proud ... strong ... and very, very hardworking Republican National Committee. ...

"It's time for something completely different, and we're going to bring it to them. We are going to bring this party to every corner, board room, community....

"For those who want to obstruct," he warned, "get ready to be knocked over."

He vowed to expand the party like never before seen and that he will take the fight to all parts of the country.

"To my friends in the Northeast," he said, "get ready baby, it's time to turn it on. We're going to win in the Northeast, continue to win in the South, win with a new storm in the midwest, and when we get to the west, we're going to win there."

He called this "a new opportunity. I cannot do this by myself."

He vowed to empower the national committeemen and make sure the "values" and "principles that made us the party of Lincoln" are brought to the forefront.

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Comments

Give me a break! The solution to the Republican stagnation is not to have a token as the leader but to fix what is wrong and the party is all wrong.

Yola, CT (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:23 PM)

Congrats Mr. Steele. Now, let's start our comeback!! Dems having 60 in the Senate is just an awful prospect.

Dookie (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:23 PM)

The Country and the World have President Obama!!!!

The Repukes have Steele!....and what? What a joke, and Steele can join the ranks forever of the idiot Repukes. No saving him now. He has sold his soul to the devils!!!!!!

Ed, San Antonio (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:23 PM)

I can't wait to hear what Lord Limbaugh thinks of this. Especially the "obstruct" line.

"Blasphemous lout! Off with his head!"

Peter, San Rafael, CA (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:24 PM)

"For those who want to obstruct," he warned, "get ready to be knocked over."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What an odd comment, wonder what he was referring too?

Anywho, congrats to Chairman Steele. Anything you can do to improve the tone coming out of the RNC will be GREATLY appreciated.

Nashville_fan (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:26 PM)

It's going to be interesting to see if the repugnant ones can buck Viagra Boy and pick a moderate like closet Democrat Steele. I am more convinced they will not change their white supremacy ways and will pick known South Carolina racist Katon Dawson.

Eric, Salinas, CA

******************************************************
Looks like you had it all wrong. I enjoy your posts, though, because I am always amused at the ignorant things you say. How much time do you spend coming up with your nicknames for people, anyway? Radical leftists like you are as much to blame for the tone of this country as radical Republicans.

Even though I am a Democrat, I think the GOP made a wise choice in Steele. Every time I see him on any news program, he is a very impressive man.

Jill, F., Tulsa, OK (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:27 PM)

Comments of a true outsider. I hope his energy and deeply felt principles will serve him well; but to call out the 'obstructionists' seems a little either sarcastic or hypocritical, I'm not sure which.

The odd thing is that this Republican party hasn't resembled the party of Lincoln since long about 1964 or so. Good luck to you, Chairman Steele.

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:27 PM)

One thing is for sure, closet Democrat Micheal Steele is as delusional as his predeccessor if he thinks he's going to bring it on in the Northeast or West or anywhere us Democrats prevail.

I am so looking forward to Countdown and seeing Keith report on how Mount Lushmore has gone beserk on his repugnant one bretheren. Yep it is going to be so much fun wathcing the evangelical christian lunatic fringe whine about losing control of the minority party they wrecked. They'll no doubt decide to break away from the repugnant ones party and start up their own third party of extreme losers.

I am looking forward to all the newsers on MSNBC to copy Andrea Mitchell's "Steele Democrat" campaign sign and display it prominently during their shows. It is just too funny to see a closet Democrat running the RNC.

Let the Whining Begin!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:28 PM)

He wont ever in the Northeast....come on now!

Linda, CT (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:28 PM)

Welcome to the bridge of the Titanic Captain Steele. Would you like to steer the ship (party) while we try to set a speed record?

Paul (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:29 PM)

So...they are actually getting a little better at the game. Instead of an old white guy they picked the black white guy. Or is he the white black guy? I'm so confused! :-)

Syko, NY (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:29 PM)

This guy is about as black as I am!

Kermit the Frog Newak, NJ (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:30 PM)

The difficulty the GOP has in the NE (and elsewhere) is due to the national party. Does Steele plan on welcoming Pro-choice Republicans? Is a Rockefellor Republican no longer going to be a negative term in the GOP? Until the GOP accepts socially moderate positions, and until it's current elected leaders stop attempting to advance through demonization of others, nothing Steele does will help the GOP.

Congratulations Chairman Steele. It's a job I would never want. Unfortunately I don't think anyone can save the GOP from itself, until they abandon the right wing nuts that hold such sway with the party. Right now they mistakenly believe they lost because they weren't conservative enough, when in reality their hypocrisy and right wing ideology is to blame

Congratulations Chairman Steele (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:30 PM)

Congratulations to Mr. Steele! Wonderful to have an intelligent, socially conservative african american heading up the Republican party. May his victory lead to many more influential conservative minorities getting leadership roles in the conservative movement so that blacks and hispanics, who are overwhelmingly socially conservative (pro life and supportive of traditional marriage), will begin to join up with a movement that doesn't require them to throw away their conscience in order to vote. May God bless and give wisdom to Mr. Steele!

Wonderful! (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:31 PM)

They need to stop this "party of Lincoln" nonsense. Who are they kidding? If Lincoln ran today, he wouldn't get ANY Repuglican votes!

Syko, NY (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:33 PM)

Steel can thank President Obama for this one. But in the end the pubbie party still doesnt stand a chance with the dems new leader(Obama).

The pubbie party just doesnt get it, its not about big bussines anymore its about the people and the middle class and Steel doesnt have a clue on how to reach out to those kind of people.

Thanks President Obama for your understanding of the middle class..

James, Tn (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:35 PM)

"For those who want to obstruct," he warned, "get ready to be knocked over."

What is this? Steele is ready for a brawl already. He wants to knock people over? Did Obama (also an African American , well 1/2 anyway) get elected by warning people they would be knocked over? Steele's skin color may be similar to Obama's but he obviously lacks Obama's sense of goodwill and desire to bring people together. Have the Republicans elected as RNC Chair a person with the same skin color as Obama but with the same mentaility and empathy as GWB and Cheney?

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:36 PM)

I still don't understand why anyone of color would want to be a Republican. Notice to obstructionists.....Well, that's most of the GOP. Change may be in the works for them too. Toward the middle or toward defeat.

moir (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:36 PM)

Well, sounds a little like President Obama.

We shall see what happens - no color of skin can change the damages caused to the Republican party by George Bush and Dick Cheney.

It will take "decades" to do that.

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:37 PM)

Pul-eeez....too obvious -- too obvious...what's he going to do about his party members who send out cd's with Barack the Magic Negro on it? - Please...too obvious.

Lauri Smalls (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:38 PM)

I want to cringe everytime some GOP member brings up being the party of Lincoln. The fact of the matter is they can't change who their base support comes from and they are not the party of Lincoln. Also they do not represent the well being of minorities in this country. Just as it was with Palin, only the fools will be fooled.

Kelly (from Pittsburgh) (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:40 PM)

Is this their new face? Only if by "obstructionists," he means Rush, Rove, Hannity, Boehner, McConnell, Cantor, Sarah-in-search-of-better-Americans...et al. The list does go on. Unless Steele can force them to give up their race-baiting hatred and cultural warfare, or get out of the RNC altogether, he is only the mock symbol of change. Steele did nothing for Maryland and carries not the cares of African-American and Hispanic communities, so they better do more than change the color of their talking head!They better change the voices they hold most important to the survival of their party and GOP future.

Change It Ain't (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:41 PM)

An outsider, but the same direction. I was very disappointed to hear Steele's acceptance, he didn't say he was looking forward to working with Obama to help the country, but that it would be an honor to spar with him. He didn't talk about how the Republican party could help people, but how they could "win," whatever that means. Unfortunately the new captain has charted the same old course.

Ken, Denver CO (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:43 PM)

It is commendable that the Republican Party has elected its first minority chairman. I hope they do not miss the point. While the lack of diversity in the party marginalizes the party, this is not its major problem. The Republican problem is the incoherency of its values and platform.
How can the party of small government believe in an extra large military infrastructure or in nation building?
How can a party that believes that the government is too intrusive want to control one’s bedroom and a woman’s body?
How can a party that believes in the free enterprise believe in trickledown economics (pseudo fascism) as opposed to trickle up to allow for real competition of small businesses and the average worker?
How can the party of fiscal responsibility have such a poor record with both the economy and the country’s budget? The policies of Republicans have always resulted in our largest budget deficits (this is a demonstrable fact).
How can the party that pretends to be moral care so little about the well being of the middle class?
Our current economic crisis is a direct result of Reaganomics(which Bush 1 called Voodoo Economics), Bush1’s care taking of Reaganomics, Clinton’s triangulation, and George Bush’s ineptitude. For the sake of the country I hope President Obama sticks to his guns and regulate the financial markets; allow real competition between business and employees, and create a real single payer healthcare system.

Egberto Willies, Kingwood, TX (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:47 PM)

wow - if you can't beat them then you must join them - except the GOP is still RIP, they are still the party of Hoover, the party of Bush/Cheney billionaires, let the masses eat cardboard, more tax cut for us...hey if you have no money and no job you don't need a tax cut anyway - let's have Palin & Limbaugh head the ticket in 2012 - that will do wonders for the country, guns, ammo, and moose meat for everyone !!

SWL (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:47 PM)

To Wonderful!...

So you believe that Blacks and Hispanics will turn toward the Republican Party because of Mr. Steele?

The same party that was considering a man who sent out the song, "Barack the Magic Negro," to be their leader? The party of Katrina? The party that's seen as wanting to throw every illegal alien out of the country?

Hmmmmm...interesting.

I'm pretty sure it's going to take a LOT more than choosing a black man to lead your party to convince the country of "change."

Ray F., New York, New York (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:49 PM)

Yeah CA, I like that line too.

"For those who want to obstruct, get ready to be knocked over." Do you feel wobbly?

Looks like Mr. Steele means business.

But don't take any of Mr. Steele too hard.
Remember Barack Obama used to intimidate and harass when he walked into banks and made various loan-oriented demands. And, unfortunately, he's our president.

I don't think Mr. Steele's background is like that of the radical Obama. At one time Michael Steele wanted to become a man of the cloth, but probably wouldn't have turned out to be the screwball radical Jeremiah Wright did. You know, the blowhard that prez Obama listened to for 20 years but said he didn't hear.

Suffice to say it's a good start for the GOP. Even my man Mr. Blackwell was cheering him on.

Palomino (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:49 PM)

It is just too funny to see a closet Democrat running the RNC.

------------------------------------------------------
You must have a real problem with a pro-life chairman of the DNC

Diane from Idaho (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:50 PM)

What decent, self-respecting African-American steps up to lead a party that had no qualms or forced no immediate repercussions on a member whose idea of Christmas fun was distribution of a "Barack the Magic Negro" song? Sheesh! Thank goodness we can watch him self-destruct from across the aisle because this is going to send the poop flying among right-wingers. Sarah's crowd is probably preparing for a white-sheet rally on this one.

Reason1087 (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:50 PM)

Palomino (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:50 PM)

The GOP hasn't resembled Lincoln's party for over 30 years, and a token change in leadership won't change a thing...not when the whole party spends its days licking Rush's shoes.

Joe - STL (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:51 PM)

I think he's a muslim.

Larry "Nooooooo" Craig (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:53 PM)

I've decided to be offended by the suggestion that Mr. Steele isn't "black enough". Before I explain why, let me say that I'm an independent Obama supporter who has been disgusted with the conduct of both parties for more than a few years. I certainly don't expect anything from the Repubs...

That said, to suggest that there is some ideological or other standard for blackness is just as racist as lynching or profiling. Mr. Steele has earned his black card by walking around in his skin for however many years he's been alive. Whether or not I agree with his politics, he's just as black as me (and I AM black). I'd like to measure the credentials of anyone who questions that against my own!

If he brings the Republican party back to the conservative principles of Reagan and Roosevelt, then bring him on. If he can bring the social agenda back to the sensible middle, then let the storm clouds roll. But please, leave the racial judgements where they belong...in your head. If you wanna talk about how black (or not) someone is, please explain how you would know first.

Exhausted with Racial Drama, SC (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:53 PM)

Steele isnt token anything. Unlike half white barack obama who wants to give handouts to everyone. All you moron who voted for this unaccomplished man to be president must live with yourself in 4 years when he runs everything into the ground worse than Bush

michael (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:53 PM)

To all the Ralph Malph's in la-la-land: The liberal asylum is full. The Daily Kos finally has something interesting to write about and the Keith Olbermanniac's and Rachel Maddows of the world can
finally throw their hateful banter at a black Republican. We'll try not to call them racists.

Palomino (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:54 PM)

I've gotten to where I don't even listen to Dems anymore. If you elect a black man they say you're just trying to put on a black face; and if you don't, they say you're not an inclusive party. You can't win with these people.

Terry, Atlanta, GA (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:55 PM)

He's a muslim, isn't he?

Mark "where are the Pages" Foley (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:56 PM)

Pul-eeez....too obvious -- too obvious...what's he going to do about his party members who send out cd's with Barack the Magic Negro on it? - Please...too obvious.
Lauri Smalls

Steele was one of the first to defend the guy who sent out the CD.

What ever (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:58 PM)

Pul-eeez....too obvious -- too obvious...what's he going to do about his party members who send out cd's with Barack the Magic Negro on it? - Please...too obvious.
Lauri Smalls (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:38 PM)
_____________________________________________________-

Probably point out to the weak minded it's not an insult to Obama, but mocking the doublethink Liberals

just my guess (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 5:00 PM)

(The Great Lord Limbaugh will NOT be pleased.)

I'm actually happy about this (perhaps naievely so). To me this is more another milestone for African-Americans than about the GOP. What I'm hoping is that he isn't just GOP window dressing like Sarah Palin and there's actually substance there (seems like it from what I've read). As I've mentioned in another post, this can't be just about putting a black face out there to represent. It has to mean something to the entire party. Are they ready to appeal to a broader audience in deed as well as words, or is this just tokenism.

I'll keep a close eye on how they approach the new administration. Especially after his "obstruct" remark.

Day 10 of 100
http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 5:02 PM)

As an African American, I offer my congratulation, Mr.Steele, on a milestone for taking the reigns of the RNC. However, I must point out one thing:

I WILL NEVER JOIN A PARTY THAT WILL STICK TO THE MANTRA OF HATE, RACISM, BIGOTRY, SEXISM, GREED, FEAR-MONGERING, HYPOCRACY, AND LISTENS TO THE TALKING HEADS OF HANNITY, COULTER, LIMBAUGH, BECK, AND ANY OTHER NEO-CON TALKING MEDIA. ELECTING YOU TO THAT POSITION DOES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO SWAY ME TO VOTE FOR THE REPUBLICAN TICKET, NOT AFTER THE FOLLY OF RECONSTRUCTION, NOT AFTER THE 200 ELECTION, AND CERTAINLY NOT AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA.

Kevin ST Pete, FL (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 5:05 PM)

Hmmm... I wonder if the base will mobilize and get together a mock-up food stamp with Steele, some fried chicken and watermelon on it-- or maybe they'll greet him with a rousing rendition of "Michael the Magic Negro?" People are funny.

LP (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 5:05 PM)

"For those who want to obstruct," he warned, "get ready to be knocked over."

Wonder if this includes Limbaugh?

Just Askin' (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 5:07 PM)

Michael Steele is a classy guy. He is smart and I like his politics. He is a modest man. The complete opposite of our president. I would vote for him in a minute. He is quietly confident and if you really listen to him you will find him to be a reasonable person with rock solid principles. I hope he ends up on the GOP ticket soon.

Paul (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 5:11 PM)

Out of adversity, opportunity.

Lauri Smalls:

Michael Steele is smart enough to understand the origins and political satire of "Barack the Magic Negro".

Richard, Washington State (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 5:13 PM)

Lauri Smalls (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 4:38 PM)
Pul-eeez....too obvious -- too obvious...what's he going to do about his party members who send out cd's with Barack the Magic Negro on it? - Please...too obvious.
*************************************************************
Lauri,
You are so correct.

Michael Steele the big, fat "O" -- zero has arrived.
"Another Black Man Gets the Worst Job" as the Onion Newspaper headline said about President Obama.

Michael Steele is a puppet and the least articulate figurehead of the Republicans. Usually it's that stupid Hannity's who wants approval from his guest; especially from Rove and Newt Gringrich. But, when Micheal Steele appears on that stupid Hannity's America a.k.a. Corporate Socialism he asks for Hannity's approval. LOL

Prepare for him to ask that stupid Hannity... "Am I White Enough, or "Sean, Brother, let me put it this way have I shown enough disapproval of those who are not like us"?

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 5:20 PM)

The Republicans should not insult the intelligence of people. People vote for issues - not color. I voted for Barack Obama because I liked his policies and his intellect - not because he is Black. This was another Republican Hail Mary Pass - like Palin.

MSNBC is too frustrating to watch. The fact that Chris Matthews could not shut that Republican spokesperson up is unbelievable. It is the same people always and they talk over everyone and spew untruths.

I thought Chris Matthews was better than that.

God, Wolf Blitzer is doing a better job of getting out the truth.

And even if you don't post this - get the message to Chris Matthews et. al. I am losing respect for the network.

Chandler W. (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 5:21 PM)

Please ask Mr. Steele to American-up and refer to himself as an American rather than an African-American. This nation needs an American to lead it, not someone who espouses his allegiance to a foreign continent!
Mack

Mack Chaffin, Dewey, Arizona (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 5:21 PM)

Congrats Mr. Steele, You make me proud to be a black conservative. I believe the GOP cane expand our party base, beyond the south.

Revtmn, Riviera Beach, Florida (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 5:22 PM)

Mack Chaffin, Dewey, Arizona (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 5:24 PM)

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