Steele: White Republicans are scared of me

The Hill ^

[Sub-Driver]

Steele: White Republicans are scared of me By Jordan Fabian - 11/09/09 03:12 PM ET

Republican National Committee (RNC) chairman Michael Steele, who is known for making controversial statements, on Sunday said that white Republicans are afraid of him.

Steele also took aim at some in his own party last week as well, saying that he would "come after" centrist Republicans who support healthcare reform.

The Republican chairman appeared on NewsOne's "Washington Watch" this weekend, a new Sunday polititcal talk show aimed at a black audience. The host, Roland Martin, asked Steele how could Republicans could reach out to black voters. Steele responded by talking about issues such as education, small business, jobs and the econoy, The rest is in a partial transcript:

MARTIN: But your candidates got to talk to them. One of the criticisms I've always had is Republicans -- white Republicans -- have been scared of black folks.

STEELE: You're absolutely right. I mean I've been in the room and they've been scared of me. I'm like, "I'm on your side" and so I can imagine going out there and talking to someone like you, you know, [say] "I'll listen." And they're like "Well." Let me tell you. You saw in Christie and you saw in McDonnell a door open because they went in and engaged. McDonnell was very deliberate about spending...

MARTIN: Right.

STEELE: I mean, Sheila Johnson was on his team. I mean, that was a big deal. That's because he engaged her and she helped navigate him through that relationship.

Steele is the first African-American to serve as RNC chairman and has at times made controversial remarks regarding race.

Shortly after he was elected chairman in February, Steele said that the Republican Party needed to conduct an "off the hook" public relations campaign to attract blacks and Hispanics in "urban-suburban hip-hop settings." He also said that he would attract minority voters with fried chicken and potato salad.

[TheConservativeParty]

No. See my screen name.

: )

[TheConservativeParty]

PS-go ahead and ask Landru what I am, he’ll tell ya!

[The Comedian]

White Republicans are afraid that you really are the best the GOP has to offer, Steele.

They are afraid that the GOP upper echelon of elitist snob DC insiders is riddled with idiots like you who see skin color instead of philosophy, who see bipartisanship instead of righteousness as something to strive after, and who see government as a hustle or scam instead of a solomn duty.

You suck Steele, and that's because you're transparent. We see right through your racist victimhood BS and your deep-seated desire to be loved by the media, the Administration, and the country club honky RINOs.

Now quit, and let a real man get in there and lead the party. Like Alan Keyes, or the awesome Rev. Manning.

Let the world see what a true black American patriot looks and sounds like.

Real men who believe in what is right and aren't afraid to say so, and don't ascribe their own faults to someone else's fantasy racism are what America's GOP needs.

And I'm afraid you aren't one of them.

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[Cedric]

Your tagline prompted my question, as your initial comment (#97) was manifestly deceitful.

[MaxMax]

So this POS is using the race card against White GOPers. Brilliant Steele.
Just freekin brilliant. I don't understand why he's not the RAT leader.

[MaxMax]

I don’t think his skin color or my skin color has anything to do with it.

I can't believe we actually have to say it.

[MaxMax]

When will you appear on Hannity?

/smile

[mountainbunny]

I honestly cannot tell you how deeply angry and massively disappointed I am that, in the immediate wake of the health care bill passing, this is what Michael Steele has to talk about.

Seriously.

The fact that he discussed anything aside from the terrible things going on in Congress and/or the White House is nothing short of vile.

The fact that he talked about himself just... let me put it this way: anyone who fully supports the this clown and the Republican Party he represents needs to have their heads examined.

[TheConservativeParty]

I gave to Sarah’s campaign through the RNC last year. Hence they send me stuff. I would like to change the RNC into a conservative organization, as I do think voting in a 3rd party at this time might be a losing proposition. I want to throw out the liberals and moderates in the RNC. I write to the RNC regularly to tell them no money until they embrace conservatism.

I’m a Christian woman by the way,the wife of a Chief Master Sgt in the WI Air Nat’l Guard who recently retired after serving 26 years for our country... you might want to reconsider your rather rude comment(manifestly deceitful?) or I’ll sick Landru on you.

[Cedric]

Sorry.

Thanks for your service.

Let's take back the GOP by defeating RINOs in the primaries.

{Brookfield Central H.S. ‘66}

[cvq3842]

Good point!

[EternalVigilance]

[TheConservativeParty]

Whew. I’m calling off my pal Landru. That was a close one!

: )

I know in these horribly stressful times, things get heated for no reason. We’re all in mourning for the soldiers at Fort Hood.

You take care and let’s all pray for those wounded at Fort Hood, that they have a full recovery and can testify against Hasan(may bacon grease be upon his name). Cheers!

[TigersEye]

Un-frigging-believable! Because you're black, Michael? Because you're black?

The GOP is so clueless.

[RegulatorCountry]

It’s not satire. Steele actually did say that.

[Faith]

I had truly hoped it was a spoof. It certainly read that way. Truth is stranger than fiction, I guess.

[AdaGray]

What’s there to be scared of? Fed up is more like it.

[Tallguy]

Naw Michael, conservative republicans are suspicious of you. We think that you'll sell out the conservative viewpoint in a New York minute.

[FBD]

[firebrand]

his description sounds like the "afraid to offend", not "afraid of" variety.

I don't think you are correct here. He said, more or less, they're afraid of me and I'm on their side; I can imagine they would be even more afraid of you.

I think he was trying to be polite and agreeable, to a fault perhaps. And what he meant was that white people have a preconceived political image of blacks, a feeling that they are opposed ideologically.