Steele Talks About His Comments About Bush And GOP

WBAL ^ | 07/26/06 | Scott Wykoff and The Associated Press

[nunya bidness]

In an exclusive interview on WBAL's "The Buzz", Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele says his comments about President Bush and the Republican Party were taken out of context in a story in The Washington Post.

He says he is not running away from the President.

"If the President wants to come and help me in Maryland he is more than welcome because I'm not going to turn my back on a friend," said Steele on "The Buzz" on WBAL.

The Post reported on a conversation Steele had with nine reporters from newspapers, magazines and networks over lunch at a Capitol Hill steakhouse Monday.

Steele said it was an "off the record" meeting with the reporters and the Washington Post is the only paper that did a story on what was said in the meeting.

The newspaper said the candidate said the Iraq war "didn't work" and that U.S. policymakers "didn't prepare for the peace" . The U.S. Senate candidate is quoted by the Post as saying "there is a palpable frustration right now in the country".

The published and Internet report says that when asked if he wanted President Bush to campaign for him, the candidate initially said "well you know, I don't know" and then said "to be honest with you, probably not".

"I'm not trying to diss the President," said Steele on WBAL. "I'm not trying to distance myself from the President. I'm trying to show those lines where I have a different perspective and a different point of view. If I'm not free to share that as a candidate for the U.S. Senate how can people expect me to share that and express that as a United States Senator."

"I've been quoted before as calling the President my homeboy, and that's how I feel," said Steele on WBAL.

The White House said Wednesday that Bush still is backing Steele in his Senate race.

"Look," said Bush spokesman Tony Snow, "the president understands what politics are about. And he wants Michael Steele to be elected as senator."

"I appreciate Tony Snow on behalf of the President reiterating the White House support for me," said Steele on WBAL with Chip Franklin and Clarence Mitchell IV.

 

[nunya bidness]

Here's the audio. It's the entire interview. I haven't found a transcription yet.

[nunya bidness]

.

[MJY1288]

This was a brilliant move by Steele, he used the anti-Bush Media to make a huge deal out of this, only to say they took him out of context.

He knows their weakness and used it against them :-)

[sinkspur]

GOP Candidate says criticism was a joke- Michael Steele

[Pukin Dog]

Check it out, he's still at it. The Foot-In-Mouth Express is still hard at work. I cant wait for a reporter to ask him why if every thing he said was so innocent, why he didnt want Milbank to use his name.....

Maybe Hannity will ask him? HARDLY. Hannity's lips are still attached to McCain's backside.

The more he tries to fix it, the more I want him to lose. Why cant he just say he screwed up?

[Dolphy]

Gee, what a surprise, the WaPo cherry picked a couple of negative remarks to characterize a conversation of an hour and half.

[jan in Colorado]

Steele said it was an "off the record" meeting with the reporters...

There's no such thing as an "off the record" statement, especially if it's a Republican!

[AnnaZ]

I listened to it today. The whole thing (not Steele) is ridiculous, and Milbank is a dick.

I won't stick around to fight this one tonight, it's too stupid (and, apparently, one of FR's newest losing causes).

Good luck, though. 'Night.

[nunya bidness]

The more he tries to fix it, the more I want him to lose.

That's a hoot. You're the attention whore that thinks his passing synaptic pulses pass as deep thoughts which when boiled down say the same thing: Vote GOP.

Now there's a conservative black pro-life candidate running and you say you hope he loses. Thank God your stupid ass lives in San Diego.

The good people of Maryland will bring Steele to the Senate where the next vacancy on the Supreme Court will be filled.

You're welcome.

[lawgirl]

steele would be a fabulous presidential nominee eventually. he needs a bit more experience and then watch out.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Also, this is a lesson to be learned , that there is no such thing as " off the record " with the media.
Yeah, they will tell you that the mikes are off, and " you can trust me, this will be off the record "
but, DON"T trust them.

[Pukin Dog]

Hey idiot, when you dont want someone posting to you, you are not supposed to post to them either. Dont post to me, you loser.

[MJY1288]

I think Steele knew this from the jump, and now he is NATIONAL NEWS :-)

[llevrok]

Politically? DOA

[Admin Moderator]

Knock off the personal attacks!

[MJY1288]

PD, Ease up!... I think we are witnessing Politics at play here, National attention to a candidate that was once only known locally.

I'm from Maryland and work for the Steele Campaign and I believe this was a stunt. Michael Steele has publicly supported President Bush on countless occasions, and therefore I believe this was a publicity stunt by his managers

[MJY1288]

Hi there! old friend :-)

[NormsRevenge]

chalk it up to strategery, eh?

it won't be the first time the media sucked the bait up and ran with it.

here's hoping. ;-)

[bpjam]

If the WaPo says it, I want to see an affidavit by the FBI substantiating it before I believe it.

[Pukin Dog]

No-can-do, partner.

That was no stunt, and the damage control is sadly lacking. When your man begged Milbank to not use his name, he blew it. I'm sure you know that Bush letting him put his best face on it, but come on. I know you have a job to do, but that kind of publicity he didn't need or want.

He should have stood behind his words with Milbank, or at least told him that the comments were out of context. It was a character moment, and he failed. You probably already know that support for Steele is drying up, and that party operatives are NOT pleased by how he handled this.

What he ought to do, is give ONE last interview, where he simply admits to blowing it. He needs to give people a reason to respect him. This morning it was "out of context", this afternoon, "it was a joke". Now, Bush is his "Homeboy"?!?

Come on.

One thing that kills campaigns is the inability to admit mistakes. Ask Katherine Harris.