Michael Steele Scolds MSNBC Host Over Her Suggestion Conservatives Need to Rally Around Romney

NewsBusters ^ | January 05, 2012 | 15:41 | Ken Shepherd

[Hunton Peck]

With Mitt Romney winning the Iowa caucus and on track to do well in New Hampshire, conservatives should just give up and rally behind the former Massachusetts governor, MSNBC host Alex Wagner suggested at the open of today's Now with Alex Wagner.

Former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele was having none of that:

ALEX WAGNER, host: Here we are, and there's a lot of, there's Mitt-mentum, as it were.

MICHAEL STEELE: Where is it?

WAGNER: I don't know, you, well, there's--

STEELE: Where is it?! Twenty-five percent does not momentum make.

[...]

WAGNER: But there is some thinking that, at some point, conservatives have to rally around this guy. We know that Politico --

STEELE: Why?! Why?

WAGNER: Because--

STEELE: Why can't conservatives just make up their own mind? Why do they have to sit and wait for you or me or Karl Rove or anybody to tell them who they should want?

We saw in this process that the base of the party said we will do this our way in our time. We're, they're in no rush to do this. They want to vet these guys. There's a serious discussion undergoing in the RNC, in the party right now.

It didn't begin in this cycle. This goes back to 2005. It goes back to the second term of the Bush administration, about the difference between foundational principles versus Big Government Republicanism.

And their concern is that Mitt Romney is just a facade for what will be a next generation of Big Government Republicanism, so you have to appreciate that in the first instance.

[Hunton Peck]

Don't ask me. I don't know what's going on here, either...

[skr]

Good for Mr. Steele.

[kosciusko51]

Where the heck was this side of Steele when he ran the GOP?

[goodnesswins]

Hmmmm....Mr. Steele found his brain?

[scripter]

Where the heck was this side of Steele when he ran the GOP?

Most excellent question.

[DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis]

That’s what I want to know...

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Did Alex Wagner (whoever that is) say Hillary Clinton should quit and rally around the Kenyan when he won Iowa in 2008?

No, ya moron! (not you, Ms Wagner)

[Servant of the Cross]

More like a broken clock is right twice a day. Whatever his motive, this statement is not because Michael is a conservative.

[mmanager]

‘Where the heck was this side of Steele when he ran the GOP?’

Exactly along with his remark about Rove. Four years ago he wouldn’t have made any of these remarks.

[RatRipper]

Where the heck was this side of Steele when he ran the GOP?

Most likely being strong-armed into staying on the establishment, big government reservation.

[Jim Scott]

This shouldn't be notable but it is, coming from former RNC Chairman Michael Steele who seemed to be solidly 'establishment' while he held the top position in the national Republican party. Perhaps, after seeing the weak support for Romney while the leftmedia tries to push Mitt as the 'only sensible choice for Republicans' (red flags flying, here) Michael Steele is regaining his senses and starting to come around to the reality that to conservatives, Romney is practically toxic because he represents the dreary, big-government status quo. We're fed up with the status quo. Not this time. Steele seems to be getting on board - and that's a good thing.

[freedumb2003]

Where the heck was THIS Steele BACK WHEN WE NEEDED HIM?

[freedumb2003]

GMTA — I posted before I read the thread...

[thouworm]

If other MSM talking heads use this, it suggests that it was a WH/DNC-delivered talking point. Steele didn’t cooperate as she expected. I would like to see the video.

[BfloGuy]

I liked Steele before he ran the RNC and I guess I like him now that he’s out of there. I have no idea what happened in between.

[SueRae]

Michael Steele, great call. I agree completely.

[Hunton Peck]

That’s my thought also. This sounds like the Michael Steele who ran for (IIRC) Lt. Gov. of Maryland. Will the real one please stand up?

[righttackle44]

But there is some thinking that, at some point, conservatives have to rally around this guy. We know that Politico --

Why does this sentence make me want to do something very harmful to a television reporter?

[Truth is a Weapon]

Well, back then his paycheck came from those Big Government Republicans. He can be more independent in his talking now.

[FastCoyote]

Hear hear Michael Steele. Perhaps you have a bit of spine left after all.