Lincoln was a Midwestern progressives. Republican Party is the party of southern conservatives, descendents of Democrats who propagated Jim Crow and institutionalized racism that only became Republicans after the Democrats embraced civil rights.  The Republican Party is the "Party of Lincoln" in name only.

After all of the vile racist comments coming through Rush Limbaugh's microphone regading Obama, what if anything will Mr. Steele have to say about the darling of the Right?

exciting news!

How much do you want to bet that Steele will win and the Republicans will sit back with a satisfied smile and tell the world that they are reaching out beyond their white regional base.

Then they will do what they did to Watts, shut him him out and treat him like dirt. Andrea

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Well he won. Let the fun begin!!!!

The Repubs are a narrow-minded bigoted bunch. I hope Steele has a spine of steel. He is going to need it!!!

"It is time to get to work," Steele said. "We've got a party to build."
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Congratulations, Chairman Steele.  May I suggest that if you are going to continue with the same tired mantras of tax cuts and trickle-down, don't bother.  Your party is desperately in need of new ideas, not to mention integrity.  Good luck to you on those fronts: hopefully you will be able to drag the 28%ers into the 21st century without too much difficulty, but I'm not holding my breath.

The GOP keeps trying hard, anyway.  Don't know anything about Steele, but it's clear what they're up to.  First they thought a woman on the ticket would help them  Wrong. Now they choose a black man to help garner black votes. Their PC-ness is sooooo transparent. This party is the most insincere group of people.  What arbout "country first"?  Lose you power until February folks during the ice storm?  Thank your GOP buds.

maybe this is a sign of the coming of the End Times. Is the RAPTURE soon to be upon us??????

It's great that the republicans have elected a Muslim to lead them.

Steele's election is a good sign, but it means the GOP is split into two camps: Moderates and the Christian Right ditto-heads whose policies are the staple of right-wing radio. Judging from the House party-line vote on the stimulus plan, the ditto-heads are still in charge there.

Now the Democrats can sing about the Leader of the Repubs, ""Mike the Magic Negro".  The repubs are just a bunch of copy-cats and a bunch of whiners. it's ok for the Repukes to call Obama a Negro, but look out if the Democrats do it to them.

"We must be a party that makes good on the promise of Lincoln,"

Lincoln is code word for "Obama." Uh oh, African Americans are working on the inside to turn the RNC into the party of OBAMA. Someone tell Limbaugh!

Funny, the first time is historic. The GOP attempt seems like copycatting, but good luck to them. I bet we will never see any "magic negro" satires fro mthe GOP. It took them a little while, but they are trying to make appearances of getting it.

I think it's absolutely hilarious.  First, they all despise African Americans and claim that they will ruin the country, now they put one in their leadership position.  A little bit of copy catting?

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"?
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Jawille is happy and I'm glad too. But, personally I think he only window dressing to dupe other uneducated minorities in. Only time will tell if he has courage to  break away Hannity and the likes of stupid Hannity's ilk. I doubt if Steele will. He' too more happy to be one of them than a courageous man of the people.

First , the Republicans learned to be inclusive after Clinton had women & minorities in his cabinet. Then they (Republicans) detached Allen Keyes to Illinois to counteract Barack Obama’s run for the Senate. Now there’s a minority President, and then the RNC picks a minority to run their party. Republicans never stop amazing me! That’s not traits of leaders, that’s reacting to failure to include everyone. And to Mr. Steele, I hope your thoughts are true and inclusive because minorities can smell an Uncle Tom a mile away. That’s means in your thoughts, not your skin color. Don’t patronize us!

Bruce, Oregon:

Rush Limbaugh has never said a single racist thing about Barack Obama. You and gepa are full of oil.  It was a black liberal columnist for the LA Times that called Barack a magic negro.

I'm seeing plenty of racist comments about Michael Steele here already, though.  The word "token" has already appeared. Is that code for "house negro", another term frequently used by Democrats to diminish people like Colin Powell or Condoleeza Rice.

Is it OK to reference the pot calling the kettle black here?

It looks like all of the inappropriate race-baitng comments on this blog are comming from so-called "progressives" and well-wishers of "change".  Thank-you for for winning the recent elections.  It will remind we Republicans that America was built and hard work and big dreams, not Big Government.        

Why should there be partisan divisions along race and religon when there are so may other issues in which people formulate their opinion.

While my of my fellow Democrat would bemoan an exodus of African Amerians to other political parties, such political diversity would be s sure sign of true equality.

Furthermore it will not benefit us to have the GOP reduced to a point where they are not an effective check and balance.  Lack of mitigation would only allow us to "go off the cliff"

In reading several 'comments' it's obvious that you
'Liberal Socialist' are already concerned about Mr. Steele leading our 'Ultra Conservative' movement back to grand-glorious heights...Go STEELERS & Mr. Steele !!!  NOBODY 'whines' like a bunch of 'Left-Wing Socialist Democrats' ...........go to Europe !!
Smitty Oliver, Lancaster Kentucky

Yeah. Who appointed the first black Judge to the Supreme Court? a Republlican. Who appointed the first female to the Supreme Court? A Republican. Who appointed the first black (female) as sec'ty of state? A Republican.

do only morons read and right these post? well it is msnbc so i gues answered my own question-- msnbc saids steele is moderate- he is not-  he is a conservative -he is head of cpac for gods sake-- its great that he is black but if you ever heard him speak you would know he was elected cuz of his core conservative principals and unwillingness to compromise them- those are what will win in 2010/12 republican party is the party of blacks if you did your research you would know this (for 200 years).
the only thing im worried about and some others have said this too is he is not strong enough -aggressive-- in recent years the country has said "duncan who?" no one saids reid who--I believe everyone will say mike will put the steele back into the RNC  and the conservative voice will be heard on each and every issue  with the virtue  of uncompromised principal that will shield new leaders allowing them to wield the sword of conservatism that created this country  dip in the blood spilt  for liberty and freedom. join mike in fighting socialism be proud to be an american

This is freaking hilarious. The GOP is now run by brother! Red Skelton once said, "Imitation is NOT the sincerest for of flattery. It's plagerism." Well, this qualifies! Mr. Steele is now the head of the RNC--a FIGUREhead. Get ready to be used by the Good ol' Boys, Mr. Steele...

Richard,

You don't consider "halfracan american" racist?  Cause I do.

...and it only took them FIVE ROUNDS to vote for him!

When will the Republicans learn that it's not their party that most people reject, it's their outdated philosophy and semi-bigoted views...and hitching their little red wagon to Michael Steele is not going to change that one bit!

It looks like all of the inappropriate race-baitng comments on this blog are comming from so-called "progressives" and well-wishers of "change".  Thank-you for for winning the recent elections.  It will remind we Republicans that America was built and hard work and big dreams, not Big Government.
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No, Andy. They're NOT racist comments. They're MOCKING comments about the GOP's hypocrisy. Don't try to twist this around to fit your sense of right or wrong.        

The RNC is going to learn quickly that Black does not equal Barack just like McCain learned that Woman does not equal Clinton. I think Michael Steele is a hack who will have a very difficult time in this very big job. I have never been impressed by a single thought that has come out of his mouth despite trying very hard to give him the benefit of the doubt. Isn't this why Republicans are against Affirmative Action?

On a separate note, I hope the RNC doesn't think having Steele as the Chairmen is going to boost its Black membership. The majority of Blacks can't stand guys like him. Right or wrong, racist or not, he is a poster-child for "Uncle Toms." Going around saying Barack Obama didn't deserve the Democratic Nomination (as he did on Bill Maher) isn't going to win him any Black fans.

On a positive note, at least Republicans are trying to be more diverse and that can never be bad IMHO.

Calm down here Richard. I'm sure we could find many quotes and innuendos from Rush that could easily be considered intolerant and biggoted. Just remember that people like Rush condemn certain segments of our society while engaging in the same behavior that he condemns, as with Haggard. Rush the drug addict condemns drug addicts. Haggard the gay basher is gay, and so on.

Intolerance can be found on the left, in the middle and on the right. But what I have found as an Independent and the middle of the roader is that those on the right are quicker to condemn persons different then themselves (supposedly different than themselves). I am reminded of those in the Republican crowds during the campaign calling Obama a Muslim, the N word, a terrorist, a socialist. Hell, every name in the book. Some evn called for his assassination. I think Rush did his best to keep such flames a burnin. Those on the left however may also be intolerant but they condemn those they may be intolerant of just a bit less (with the exception of neo-cons). But here again neo-cons should not be tolerated. Palin for example may have been called incompetent, a pinhead, etc., but I don't recall the Democratic crowds during the campaign calling her a whitey, a nazi, or calling for her assassination.

Say what you will Richard and yes there is intolerance on both sides. But what I saw and heard from those attending campaign rallies on the right versus those on the left, those on the right appeared to me to be much more hateful, sinister and down-right scary. And guess what? They all listen too and love Rush. Now why is that?

STEELE IS FAR MORE LIKE ABE LINCOLN THAN OBAMA EVER WAS OR EVER WILL BE!

Yeah. Who appointed the first black Judge to the Supreme Court? a Republlican. Who appointed the first female to the Supreme Court? A Republican. Who appointed the first black (female) as sec'ty of state? A Republican.
Clint, redlands
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You're wrong about the first Black Supreme court Judge, Clint. It was done by Lyndon Johnson, a Dem, and that man was Thurgood Marshall. As for the first woman, you are correct. Reagan chose O'Connor, and look how THAT turned out! Thank you, Ronald Reagan!

Julie, Palm Desert:

First of all, it's "halfrican" and no, I don't consider it racist.

It actually makes a point, if you are of a mind to see it.  And that is the Democrat obsession with race.

CA:

I'm so calm I'm just about to fall asleeeeeeeeeeee zzzzzzzz . . .

As a person of mixed race open to new ideas and diversity in general I find the above comments racist and disturbing.  My vote is owned by no party or idealogy.  All of you attacking Mike Steele should look inside as to why you do not like people who are not like you -- clearly you like people who are liberal like you, but if they are not, you freak.  I believe your racism is more dangerous as it limits "blacks" and persons of mixed race such as myself to have to fit within certain acceptable roles and expectations.  I guess you hate Republican women, gays, Hispanics too right?  Please open your minds and do not say horrible things about people you do not know.
I am truly disturbed by your hatred.

I am thrilled that the RNC has elected Michael Steele as Chairman.  Michael has been a very public figure and avid spokeman for the Republican party for many years now and is a solid conservative.  He will make a great Chairman. He should have been elected to the Senate.  It is always amazing to me as I read the comments from all the big mouths out here that hate the conservative movement that somehow a Black conservative is merely a token symbol for the Right Wing.  Well, they are well respected, admired and beloved by those of us out here who keep up with politics and they deserve better than they get from the people who should championing their success and instead riduculing them.  Ask Michael, Condi, Clarence...add in Alberto Gonzales...and some of the other minorities that the Republicans have put into high office how much respect they received.  And for the record...Michael Steele deserved this election.  It is not some big plan to combat Obama. Michael can stand alone on his merits.  

The   "Party of Lincoln"

What about that whole Civil War thingy, and the little incident in the Ford Theater.....my my my!

Selective memory of the delusional Repukes!

The GOP was the party of blacks from the GOP's end of slavery, until the welfare state. Black Dems used to be very rare, even up til MLK's time (MLK was GOP!)

A bit of historical review:
GOP destroyed slavery.
GOP tried to pay reparations (to actual ex-slaves, not distant descendants of slaves) but was thwarted by the Dems.
GOP congressemen did more to end Jim Crow & pass civil rights than the Democrats ever did.
GOP sent troops to desegrate the schools.
GOP even created the first (fair) affirmative action program (which the Dems wrecked).
READ YOUR HISTORY. There's a lot more.

It's only because Democrats
(a) bought off a lot of blacks with welfare money,
(b) perverted affirm.action into unfair advantage,and
(c) falsely took sole credit for the Civil Rights movement
-- that blacks now vote Dem.  THEY ARE DECEIVED.  Hopefully the Obamination will be the last deception.

As to CA from Tuscaloosa --

"Palin for example may have been called incompetent, a pinhead, etc., but I don't recall the Democratic crowds during the campaign calling her a whitey, a nazi, or calling for her assassination"  

Actually some liberals DID call for her to be RAPED.  It made national news.  And Dems are supposed to be the party of Feminism?  (Even though it was the GOP that originally got women the vote!)

As a southern woman who was raised by a racist but managed to grow up open minded and decide who I like on the inner person and not what color they are, I know what I am talking about. Would like to see the many quotes from Rush that are racist?  Please don't pretend he is not a racist. And I am not obsessed by anything other than the televison series Lost.  And on the day Obama became president, the racist remarks by the republican members at the golf club I work at can't help make me believe that a majority of republican's are racists.  How can I not believe it when I hear it with my own ears?

This whole race thing has got to stop. It is ridiculous. Both sides knock it off.

Mr. Steel is obviously capable of running the Republican Party in their opinion. Regardless of his race. While the left may not think so as long as the GOP does that's fine with me. Time will tell how effective he is.

As for Lincoln people don't realize he was against slavery but was also not pro black people. He sent letters to leaders in several countries to see who would be willing to take the former slaves since we no longer had need of them. He, like other white men of his time who were not slave owners may have abhored slavery but still had no use for people of color. Not just people of African decent but anyone who wasn't white, Western European and Protestant.

Lincoln was not a god no more than Ronald Reagan was a god and no more than Rush Limbaugh or Barack Obama are gods. These are (were) men, warts and all.

Personally I don't and never have given a whit what someone's race, religion, sexual orientation, national origin of their ancestors, or gender. I look at their record. If I like what I see in their record I vote for them if not I don't. While I am a registered Democrat I do vote for Republicans or Independants if I believe they are the better candidates. Yes, I lean left but so what. We need both left and right working together to govern from the center. It is only through governing up the center that we make any improvements or progrss. Neither the far left or the far right can govern such that our country is better for it.

I wish Michael Steele well and hope he can bring his party to the center. If they remain under the control of the far right radical extremist nuts they will remain a regional and minority party for a long time. If he can bring them to the center they might be able to have a shot at gaining seats in the next Congress or at the Presidency in the future. The GOP needs to take a lesson from Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt. Neither was a Conservative and tolerated the radical right wing element of their party. They turn out to be two of the greatest Presidents their party or any party has ever produced. Reagan may be seen as a god by some but he was really only soso, good but not great. From the failure of trickle down economics we know that to be evident. More will further show that Reagan was not a step below the angles and a step above the saints as some seem to think.

When they referenced "the party of Lincoln" it was not referencing Lincoln the same way Obama does over and over. They were referring to conservative ideals. Lincoln was a strong supporter of small government, an ideal that Republicans have held onto ever since.

I've made my way in life remembering the quote "Don't trust anyone who doesn't respect or tolerate your opinions." For those of you out there labeling Republicans as racist, you are those people who should not be trusted. You spend your time trash-talking people who hold different political views, you stereotype them, and you demean them. Was it not Obama who supposedly ran his campaign on ending dirty politics, ending the partisanship, and encouraging Americans to unite behind our country, not our parties? Or is that just rhetoric that doesn't matter?

I'm a moderate, who has leaned Republican since 2000. I am not a racist. I live in a family that includes blacks, asians, latinos, arabs, Jews, and even Mormons. Do I fit that stereotype of country club racist? Do I fit the stereotype of a rich Republican? No, I'm a college student trying to make my way through college. I'm proud that Michael Steele was chosen, and despite the stereotypes being promoted here, I'm proud to vote Republican.

Yes, Julie, please show me the racist Limbaugh quotes.  We've already addressed "magic negro" which didn't originate with him and we've discussed "halfrican".  I would suggest you contact "Bo Snerdly" (AKA James Golden), Rush Limbaugh's program manager, assistant and friend.  He might be happy to help you.

I'm sorry about the effect racism has had on you.  I know it's real.  But don't allow that experience to create your own personal stereotypes or misjudge people as something they are not.

As for the people at your golf club, I condemn them.  I wasn't really talking about them or denying that there is racism.

As long as Sarah Palin is considered the frontrunner
for the GOP presidential nomination in 2012, it does
not matter who the Republicans elect as Chairman.

I think this is a good move for the Republicans. They seriously have to revamp their perception as the party of exclusivity. It's weird in a way because the Republican Party is actually THE party that made pushes in civil rights dynamics. King, Marshall, Rice, Watts, Powell, Blackwell, and a whole host of others are members of this party...Yet, on the whole, the Republican party continues to be PERCEIVED as the bastion of the ol' good boys network..translation: the good ol' white mans network. Just look at a Democratic gathering as opposed to a Republican gathering and judge for youself which one looks to be the party of inclusion....

PB, Los Angeles Calif: My, but your historic memory is selective, isn't it? Check this out from Wikipedia concerning disputed election of 1876:

"During the 1876 presidential election, Tilden won the popular vote over his Republican opponent, Rutherford B. Hayes, proving that the Democrats were back in the political picture following the Civil War. But the result in the Electoral College was in question because the states of Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina each sent two sets of Electoral Votes to Congress. (There was separately a conflict over one elector from Oregon, who was disqualified on a technicality.)

Republicans had taken over the state governments in the South during Reconstruction, but were unpopular with the overwhelmingly Democratic white southerners, many of whom resented what they perceived as interference from the North and blamed the Republicans for the Civil War. As a result, one set of Electoral Votes from each of these three states had cast their ballots for the Republican Hayes, and another set had cast their ballot for the Democrat Tilden. Without these three states, Tilden had won 184 Electoral Votes, but needed 185 to win the Presidency. If he had taken even one state, he would have become President. However, if Hayes were to win all the contested votes, he would receive 185 Electoral Votes and win the election. Because the Constitution does not address how Congress is to handle such a dispute, a constitutional crisis appeared imminent.

While the Republicans boldly claimed the election, Tilden mystified and disappointed his supporters by not fighting for the prize or giving any leadership to his advocates. Instead he devoted more than a month to the preparation of a complete history of the electoral counts over the previous century to show it was the unbroken usage of Congress, not of the President of the Senate, to count the electoral votes. [Bigelow v 2:60]

Congressional leaders tried to resolve the crisis by creating a 15-member Electoral Commission that would determine which set of votes were valid. The Commission consisted of five members from the Republican-controlled Senate (three Republicans and two Democrats), and five from the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives (three Democrats, two Republicans). The remaining five members were chosen from the Supreme Court – originally two Republicans, two Democrats, and independent Justice David Davis. Davis, however, was elected to the US Senate from Illinois and resigned from the Court. Justice Joseph P. Bradley, a Republican, was named to replace him. The Commission voted 8-7 along party lines to award all the votes to Hayes. The dispute, however, did not end, as Democrats threatened to filibuster in the Senate. Eventually, a Compromise of 1877 was reached whereby the Democrats agreed to Hayes' election and he agreed to withdraw all federal troops in the South, bringing an end to Republican Reconstruction in the South."

In essence, that vaunted GOP that you fell over backwards to praise abandoned blacks, leaving them to become less than second-class citizens for almost a hundred years more. So don't you DARE sit at your computer and sing the praises of "Lincoln's" GOP. THAT party is long gone.

Is Steele a "Magic Negro" too? I'm waiting for the song, but somehow I don't think we'll be hearing one...

Julie, Palm Desert, CA... hate to tell you this, but obama was elected because he was black.  Period.  To prove this, ask yourself, had he been white, would you have voted for him?  I truly doubt you can say yes if you're honest.  His whole campaign was based on fear and hate of the Republican Party.  There was, and still isn't, any substance to his policies.  If anything, the US is in more jepordy from attack now that there was on Jan 19.  And lemmings like you helped him get there.  Is Rush a racist?  No more than obama is, I guess. He USED his color to get into office.  If he didn't, he would have denounced all the hoopla about being the first black in office and said he wanted you to vote for him because he was the best for the job.  He KNEW that wasn't true, so he ran with the race card.  

And you bought it... that's sad.  

Now, the Republican Party is playing the race card.  It'll backfire... but any non-white male that won the seat would have had the race/gender card thrown on him/her. And that's really too bad.

The racist democrats rejected Steele, Lynn Swann, Ken Blackwell in 2006 and now are mad about Steele?  The dems are the ones with racial agendas and quotas, nominating an inexperienced and naive candidate while the GOP is going for the most qualified person regardless of race.

Amazing and sad at the same time here.  People who often posted hateful bigoted comments toward Obama because he's Black (you can argue the pointless semantics of him being bi-racial among yourselves) are now suddenly embracing Michael Steele because he's...Black.  Meanwhile, those who embraced Obama in part because he's Black, are now dissing Steele as a "token"...because he's Black.  Amazing the juxtaposition here.  Obviously racial tolerance here is contingent upon party loyalty, and that's rather sad on both sides (neither should get self-righteous here).  What's been lost in all of this vitriol is that this is an historic moment.  Regardless of the underlying implication, I feel that this is another step in the right direction for America.  When a party that's been (rightly or wrongly) associated with racisim, bigotry, intolerance, homophobia, etc., can find it in itself to elect a Black man as it's leader, it should be celebrated, not cynically analyzed for some ulterior motive (that will doubtless become clear later).  Me, I'm ignoring party loyalties here and taking it for the historic moment it is.  That doesn't mean that I'm going to rush out and change my party affiliation (nor will most Blacks).  It just means I'm willing to give the GOP a rare bit of well deserved props.

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

Rush and Steele are very much alike  Rush is no racist He just doesn't believe in stupid liberal ideas They are not what made this the greatest country in the world. Things that Rush and I believe in did

The Republican National Convention was nearly all white.  That's what they don't get.  Also they don't get that it's not all about businesses and tax cuts.  The head of the party is a start, but they have alot of work to do.

You idiot liberals need to learn your history when you call the republican party racists.  It was democrats including Al Gore Sr. who tried to fillabuster the 1964 Civil Rights act.  Just because the Republicans don't pander to certain groups like the democrats do, does not mean that they are racists.  EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL, NOT EQUAL OUTCOME!  And as far as being hateful, ever been on the Daily Kossacks or the Huffington Post?  Conservative blogs would never allow half that crap to be posted.  And you claim to be for women's rights - but you're not.  You're for <i>Liberal</i> women's rights.  The things that were said about Palin were absolutely disgracefuly. She is an embodiement of the success of the women's rights movement - but because she doesn't believe in killing her babies, liberals tried to destroy her.  You all digust me with your hipocrisy.

Julie:

Would you like to see some of the racist comments made by the blacks? Turn your TV or your radio on right now. Would you like to bet that you are going to hear one rightaway, against whites, hispanics, ete? I have never met any race more racist than the black people of this country. They hate everyone. Of course, thanks to people like you when they do it it is funny; it is only racist when a person of another race does it. Your mother must be very proud of you. Are you related to Michael Jackson? I'm sure that you would give anything to change your skin color too !!

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