Michael Steele seems to forget who he is. In an interview today on ABC, Steele couldn’t say that Rand Paul‘s position on the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is wrong. He couldn’t condemn Paul’s position.
After winning last tuesday’s election in Kentucky, Rand Paul expressed his thanks and stated the republican position on issues as reflecting his own. His thank you note to voters stated;
The Republicans of Kentucky voted overwhelmingly in support of our message of liberty and limited government. It was a reaffirmation of the principles of the Republican party and of the principles upon which our great country was founded.
It is now known what these principles are. Rand Paul’s views are the same ones that will bring this country back to post 1964 standards. His principles and evidently those of the Republican party will eliminate certain parts of the Civil Rights act that requires business owners not to discriminate against minorities. If left up to Rand Paul and his republican cohorts, there will be “Whites Only” signs all across this nation.
So it was especially troubling that Michael Steele, the first black Republican National Committee Chairman held up Rand Paul’s views on ABC. Asked about his response to Rand Paul, Steele expressed that he’s “uncomfortable” with Rand’s views, but will not go as far as condemning them. When asked about his views, Steele said’
“It’s a philosophical position held by a lot of libertarians,” explained Steele Sunday. “They have a very, very strong view about the limitations of government intrusion into the private sector. That is a philosophical perspective.”
When asked by ABC’s Jake Tapper if he condemns Paul’s views, Steele answered;
“I can’t condemn a person’s view. That’s like, you know, you believe something and I’m going to say, well, you know, I’m going to condemn your view of it. It’s the people of Kentucky will judge whether or not that’s a view that they would like to send to the senate.”
Still not hearing an answer to his question, Jake Tapper asked again if Steele was “comfortable” with Paul’s views. Steele answered;
“I’m not comfortable with a lot of things, but it doesn’t matter what I’m comfortable with or not comfortable with. I don’t vote in that election. The people of Kentucky will.”
So Steele is not comfortable with Rand’s position, but refuse to stand up and proclaim that the position of his fellow Republican is wrong on Civil Rights.
Steele should realize that if left up to Rand Paul, he wouldn’t be the Chairman of the RNC, he’s be sweeping the sidewalk outside RNC’s headquarters.
Below is the full ABC interview.
Related articles
- Steele ‘not comfortable’ with some Rand Paul views (washingtonmonthly.com)
- Steele Not ‘Comfortable’ With Paul View, Sees Civil Rights Push (businessweek.com)
- Steele refuses to denounce Rand Paul: ‘I can’t condemn a person’s view.’ (thinkprogress.org)
[...] by Jake Tapper of ABC if he condemns Rand Paul’s position, Steele replied; “I can’t condemn a person’s view. That’s like, you know, you believe some thing and [...]