RNC’s Michael Steele says he and Barack Obama operate on ‘a slimmer margin’
From ABC’s “Good Morning America” earlier today:
Embattled Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said he won’t resign despite calls for him to step down amid reports of the group’s excessive spending, adding that he and other African-American leaders such as President Obama have a slimmer margin of error because of their race.
“The honest answer is, ‘yes,’” he said on “Good Morning America” today. “Barack Obama has a slimmer margin. A lot of folks do. It’s a different role for me to play and others to play and that’s just the reality of it. But you take that as part of the nature of it.”
Here’s the video:
The Washington Post offers up some choice words on Steele’s comments, from White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs:
“That’s a fairly silly comment to make,” Gibbs told reporters. “I think Michael Steele’s problem isn’t the race card, it’s the credit card.”
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
38 comments Add your comment
Republican turned Democrat
April 5th, 2010
9:43 am
First intelligent thing I have ever heard Steele say.
Cutty
April 5th, 2010
9:45 am
He’s finally starting to realize the real reason why he was chosen.
Mike
April 5th, 2010
10:14 am
Nothing to do with his race. In this day & time of not trusting politicians & with the tricks the Dems are pulling, you’ve got to be lilly-white (non pun intended) in your dealings or your going to get criticism. Steele should resign. The GOP is poised for a takeover & his actions only hurt the party. Help save America, vote conservative.
WAW
April 5th, 2010
10:21 am
Mike, it ain’t gonna happen! The party of NO has NO alternatives, we’re seeing that already with healthcare. Repeal has been repealed, now they are saying replace, by November it will be retouch.
CrazyInGA
April 5th, 2010
10:24 am
Oh, please!!! Michael Steele never stood a chance as the RNC; these people never supported him in the first place. If they win big in November, they will still replace him and he knows it.
WAW
April 5th, 2010
10:27 am
Jim, who is the Republican Senator who is circulating the letter about re-enacting the Glass-Steagall Act? That’s one Republican I want to support any way I can. Janet Reno screwed up by not arresting and prosecutiong Sandy Weill, the Republican controlled Congress should never have appealed G-S and Bill Clinton should never have signed it.
Republican turned Democrat
April 5th, 2010
10:32 am
Steele was chosen as the “token” to try to lure more African-American support for the GOP. That was a total miscalculation of the GOP and African-Americans are not going to buy into that idiotic ploy. So, what you are left with is an African-American running the RNC for a party that really doesn’t want him or in that position as he isn’t the “face” GOP supporters expect.
Bottom line, he’s right, in order for him to be successful he has to go above and beyond what a caucasian in the same position would have to do.
I know that comment will bother a lot of people, but I call ‘em like I see ‘em.
Betram
April 5th, 2010
10:40 am
Wow………did he really admit that!!!!!
clem
April 5th, 2010
10:42 am
Steele was chosen only because of his race, trying to lure more blacks into the Republican Party. Of course it didn’t work. To begin with Steele borders on the incompetent, and secondly, blacks saw through the ploy. And finally, all one has to do is look at the policies of the Republican Party to see that people of color are really not welcome into the party.
Hoof Hearted
April 5th, 2010
10:43 am
Steele is definitely in a no-win position. He’s blamed for his party’s defeats, even though he’s simply doing what his party demands he do.
I’m not sure I agree with his racial assessment though. I think he probably gets a longer leash because he’s black, and the GOP is terrified of appearing bigoted. However, I do believe that a fair number in the GOP want him gone, in no small part due to his skin color. So, the GOP is in a bind. What else is new?
Bubba
April 5th, 2010
11:06 am
Any African American appointed to a prominent role in the GOP is purely a showcase token, and he apparently has come to recognize it.
Dem
April 5th, 2010
11:15 am
What do I have to do to get $2,000 to blow at a Woman’s Bondage Bar?
American Pride
April 5th, 2010
12:00 pm
So soon after he was appointed to his post, there was an overt attempt to restrict the spending power and authority enjoyed by his predecesors. It was a move to literally make his title a token position to match a token appointment. He had to have known this then so why is he speaking out about it now? Unfortunately, you can’t speak out about this uneven playing field when you are getting criticism for unethical spending. It’s almost as if he’s playing the race card
gm
April 5th, 2010
12:08 pm
Welcome back to reality Mike, he is learning what Pres Obama learned. Most whites in this country can not accept a black male at the head of goverment. When you are entertaining them with basketball, football they dont see color. If President Obama was white he would be the next comming of John F. K.
This is why white americans are hating around the world, look at the tea klansman.
RetiredSoldier
April 5th, 2010
12:17 pm
I love democrats. The answer to everything is republicans are stupid. Bush was dumb, Yale & Havard, Now Steele is dumb even though he has been elected Lt. Gov. of Maryland and then ran a crediable race for U.S. Senate.
I was one of those “dumb” people that supported Steele for Chairman. Why? Simply because I thought he would do a good job and yes because he would hopefully expand the tent a bit.
How many dems were sniping at Howard Dean? That wasn’t news though. Has Steele had some rough sleding, you bet. All will be forgiven and forgotten when we win the House in Nov.
Demoman
April 5th, 2010
12:24 pm
This is Awesome! I never thought I’d live to see a Republican official play the race card. On top of that, he’s throwing a bone to Obama. What’s next? Affirmative Action, Hiring Quotas, Limbaugh and Jesse Jackson running on the Republican ticket in 2012?
Demoman
April 5th, 2010
12:29 pm
Republicans aren’t dumb, but it’s spelled Harvard. Since when does being elected make you smart? It merely makes you an elected official.
Otherwise, Cynthia McKinney must be brilliant by your thought-process.
RetiredSoldier
April 5th, 2010
12:43 pm
Harvard, sorry.
RetiredSoldier
April 5th, 2010
12:44 pm
Comparing the election of a person from DeKald County or the entire state of Maryland. Not quite the same in my opinion.
RetiredSoldier
April 5th, 2010
12:54 pm
gm-
If you think tea party folks are “klansmen” you are so lost it is silly. I helped organize a teaparty in my small town. Many of the leading Afro-Americans came and observed. Not one, all of whom know me, said one thing about racism. Get a grip. So beacuse I disagree with almost all of Obama’s policies, I’m a racist? Good grief.
Demoman
April 5th, 2010
1:12 pm
RetiredSoldier, I apologize for trying to intelligently engage you. I presumed that you would have been able to rise above knee-jerk partisanship and see the bigger picture in which we can criticize all elected officials who conduct themselves in an era of apparent and arrogant silliness, but obviously you are more interested ignoring faults and shortcomings to defened only the party. What a shame.
You are correct in that there’s a difference in being a multi-term congressional representative who served on the Nat’l Security Committee, the Banking & Finance Committee, and the Armed Services Commitee, and a Lt. Governor. However, in seeing the world only in red or blue tones, you missed my point in that I was implying that McKinney is a clown.
Demoman
April 5th, 2010
1:16 pm
By the way, it’s spelled DeKalb, If you’re going for irony or satire, which, one could make a reasonable case for in your initial post, then well done.
RetiredSoldier
April 5th, 2010
1:33 pm
Thanks man, you made my point. That must be one heck of a long nose you look down at those of us that are unwashed.
deegee
April 5th, 2010
1:53 pm
It is more likely that Michael Steele became the chairman of the RNC because of the antics of his party members, see history lesson below.
“Barack the Magic Negro”[2] is a song by American political satirist Paul Shanklin who wrote and recorded it for the Rush Limbaugh Show. It was played numerous times in 2007 and 2008 by Rush Limbaugh and appeared on the 2008 album We Hate the USA. It is sung by Shanklin to the tune of “Puff, the Magic Dragon”. Shanklin impersonates black activist Al Sharpton, who regretfully sings that white people will vote for Barack Obama for President instead of Sharpton, because Obama is a magical Negro (a term previously popularized by Spike Lee), not a real black man from the “hood”.
Limbaugh was criticized and accused of racism for playing the song. The controversy eventually died down in regards to Limbaugh. It was reignited in December 2008, when Chip Saltsman, a candidate for chairman of the Republican National Committee, sent out CDs containing the song to 168 other RNC members as a Christmas gift, hoping to bolster his 2009 campaign for RNC chair. The move backfired, Saltsman dropped his bid to head the RNC, and ultimately black Republican Michael Steele won the chairmanship.
Demoman
April 5th, 2010
2:13 pm
Exactly what point is that RetiredSoldier?
Republican turned Democrat
April 5th, 2010
2:25 pm
The irony and hypocracy in the GOP just amuses the ever living be-jezib out of me. Obama wins in a landslide against the Maverick (who has now been reduced to a simple “yes-man” puppet in the hands of Mitch McConnell).
So to counter Obama’s landslide victory, the GOP figures they can throw a bone to the brotha’s and the RNC promote Steele to head the party back to relevancy. That backfires so they jump on the backs of the Tea Party thus creating a cauldron of confusion that has them in serious disarray. Of course the GOP supporters continue to bury their head in the sand, the same sand GHWB drew the line in, and in chorus tell us “just you wait til November!” The November elections will undoubtedly will be another failure for the GOP.
How different things might have been if they actually TRIED to work with their fellow congress members instead of “just saying NO,” borrowing from the old Reagan slogan for the War on Drugs. It didn’t work in the 80’s and it’s NOT working for them now.
RS, my old friend and brother in arms, how the heck are ya!
RetiredSoldier
April 5th, 2010
2:29 pm
Man- That Dems/Libs are the only holders of perfect truth and those that disagree are: Choose one or more a. dumb b. uneducated c. lack perspective d. think the world is flat e. racist f. all of the above.
Is that clear enough?
RetiredSoldier
April 5th, 2010
2:34 pm
RTD-
I’m fine and I can see you are in normal fine form today. Question RTB, when did the dems walk across the aisle to help W in his 8 years? No child left behind? Yes. Pat Act? Yes and the invaision of Iraq? Yes. Aren’t you proud of your Dems.
Did I miss any other bipartisanship during w’s eight years?
Shawn
April 5th, 2010
2:47 pm
I agree with Cutty…him & Sarah Palin where/are for show
Demoman
April 5th, 2010
2:51 pm
RetiredSoldier,
I think I understand your confusion now. I’m not a Democrat, silly rabbit, but a Libertarian. Demoman=Demolition Man. It’s a song by the Police and a Stallone movie title. Song’s good, the movie was pretty good. Look ‘em up.
I think your multiple choice applies to most simpletons from either side (you seem to come to mind) who bark like chained dogs at the slightest sound without concern for what it is. However, your reaction nicely proved my point, didn’t it? Did you pull a muscle jumping to your conclusion?
Republican turned Democrat
April 5th, 2010
3:06 pm
I agree with you RS! Based on the outright lies and spin GW’s administration put on those issues you listed, the Dems gave him the benefit of the doubt, ignored common sense and reluctantly tried to work with him. They had every reason not to work with him, (e.g. stolen election) but they put that aside for the country as a whole. Can’t get the same in return from the GOP. Is it a race thing, is it a money thing, lobbyist influence..etc etc…probably all of the above. I’ll say this, I had to leave…too much hypocracy within the GOP.
By the way, just food for thought. I know you like to brand me a liberal but fact is, the only Dem I ever voted for was Obama and the only year I didn’t vote since 1988 was in 2004 because I couldn’t suffer either of the fools. This time and after 8 yrs of BS, it was time to switch and I have not regretted it one bit.
RetiredSoldier
April 5th, 2010
3:21 pm
RTD- You are such a kind soul. You fell into the trap! Three instances of bipartisanship in 8 years and you deride republicans lack of bipartisanship in 15 months. Republicans have a very low standard to meet or exceed the Dems in the next almost 7 years.
Well maybe after we are bankrupt in say, the next two years you’ll decide your vote for Obama was a bad one.
Republican turned Democrat
April 5th, 2010
3:38 pm
RS, that may be so you could be right. Who knows in 6 years I may have to change my name to Republican turned Democrat turned Independent. However, it’s highly unlikely and by the way the country was on course to be bankrupt anyway. So frankly there wasn’t much to lose and it takes some bold moves to get us out of the fiscal mess created in those 8 yrs of mismanagement.
It always hurts before it gets better and this is another example of that. With success or failure, I truly believe this president cares and is doing all he can to do right by the country. He has reached out and done what he can to show it’s not about a party’s agenda, it’s about the country.
RetiredSoldier
April 5th, 2010
3:50 pm
Aww come on now RTD, if it was the country’s agenda healthcare wouldn’t have passed because a majority was opposed. We have agreed in the past W spent way to much money, but to use that to excuse Obama’s huge excess spending. At the rate he is going Obama will double the debt in 5 years.
One should never point to bad behavior as an excuse for more bad behavior.
Republican turned Democrat
April 5th, 2010
4:03 pm
Which bad behavior are you referring to? The actions of the PONs, (Party of No) aka GOP, and their refusal to work with Dems for the better of the country? The result of that is instead of having a better and more perfect healthcare law with a mostly happy consituency across the board, there are a lot of disgruntled people, yourself included along with all those tea people.
Had the GOP taken a more logical approach, an even better law would be on the books, one that might have made 75-80% of the country happy instead of just 45-50%. That being said, something had to be done and the GOP left no choice but to leave it all up to the Dems and now you got what you got, which is still better than what we had.
RetiredSoldier
April 5th, 2010
4:20 pm
Come on now, you know I mean red ink spending. The tea people? According to Gallup today they consist of 47% republicans, 38% independants and 13% democrats, those tea people? And how do you propose democrats will win in November without those “tea people”?
Glad to see you have seen the light, healthcare as passed wasn’t the country’s agenda, it was the agenda of a confirmed leftest. BO continues to wallow in the polls, must be that “country’s agenda” that is dragging him down.
Republican turned Democrat
April 5th, 2010
4:48 pm
RS, correcting you is starting to become a habit! Even your own Fox News reluctantly admitted that once the healthcare bill became law Obama’s approval ratings went back up to 55%!
As for the tea people, yeah, your numbers prove one thing…53% GOP, 62% of Independents, and 87% of Dems are NOT members of the tea people. The more they talk, the more extremist they seem.
wesleywhatwhat
April 6th, 2010
9:49 am
poor retired soldier has been listening to too much rush limbuagh.