Steele: Some white Republicans are ’scared of me

[DearAbby]

Since being elected the first African-American RNC chairman, Michael Steele has gotten into some brief internecine spats for a number of bordering-on-insurgent quips against his party, but his latest might be destined to haunt him forever. And perhaps it's another indication that his heart isn't in the right place and that deep down he might think that he's speaking for the wrong party, even.

During a weekend interview, Michael Steele told NewsOne's Roland Martin that he has experienced fear from other selected members of his party because of the color of his skin.

"I mean I've been in the room and they've been scared of me," the RNC chairman said about fellow Republicans.


Steele: Some white Republicans are ’scared of me’

By David Edwards
Monday, November 9th, 2009 -- 2:10 pm
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michaelsteele20090318 Steele: Some white Republicans are scared of meSince being elected the first African-American RNC chairman, Michael Steele has gotten into some brief internecine spats for a number of bordering-on-insurgent quips against his party, but his latest might be destined to haunt him forever. And perhaps it's another indication that his heart isn't in the right place and that deep down he might think that he's speaking for the wrong party, even.

During a weekend interview, Michael Steele told NewsOne's Roland Martin that he has experienced fear from other selected members of his party because of the color of his skin.

"I mean I've been in the room and they've been scared of me," the RNC chairman said about fellow Republicans.

Partial transcript:

MARTIN: How do you -- granted, a popular president got 95% of the black vote -- you got any shot at getting black voters and if so what are the two issues that speaks to black voters for Republican have a shot at them?

STEELE: Education and the economy. Education and jobs. Education and small business.

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, "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.

http://rawstory.com/2009/11/steele-white-republicans-fear-me/

[louis-t]

1. Funny, repugs aren't usually scared by crazy.

[ellie]

2. How long until Steele is the

ex-RNC chairman?

[DearAbby]

3. I bet after the mid-term elections

they have to wait at least one election, otherwise they would raise suspicion.

[Ironman3476]

5. I hope he stays forever. n/t

[Renew Deal]

4. Republicans are scared of Steele because he's an idiot.

And they're going to hate his little comment.

[xultar]

7. No, he is right. They are skeerd of his ass cuz he's black. The fact he's an idiot makes

him a perfect Republican.

[SpiralHawk]

8. The perfect Uncle Mikey Republicon

about as much common sense as the Log Cabin Republions.

Talk about working against your own interests...

[Cirque du So-What]

6. The gift that keeps on giving

and I'm not talking about the Jelly-of-the-Month Club.

I'm sure that Michael Steele occasionally opens his mouth without teh stupid tumbling out, but you sure wouldn't know it from the soundbites that issue forth from this official spokesman for the 'pug party.

He wouldn't be where he is today if he hadn't tried to generate sympathy by having his own operatives pelt him with Oreos, implying that he wasn't 'black enough.' 'Pug power brokers must have been impressed with his penchant for political dirty tricks, seeing in him a kindred spirit of dishonesty and chicanery. To these movers & shakers, one African American was pretty much like any other, so they decided to use Steele to 'reach out' to African Americans, unaware that he was as clueless as a WHITE preppy when it came to communicating with working-class African Americans.

[DearAbby]

9. Someone have a stop watch

to time how long it takes for the GOP Leadership to tell Steele to STFU and get to the back of the room?