“Every time something happens, people say ‘he should step down.’ ”The reality is that’s not happening, so stop the noise on that. You don’t need the distraction. We’re focused on winning. I ain’t going anywhere. I’m here, I’m here. Look, we have too much work to do.”
Those were the words of Michael Steele, after saying that the war in Afghanistan “was a war of Obama’s choosing.” Steele made the shocking statement at a fundraiser in Connecticut, and went on to say, “this [Afghanistan war] is not something the United States has actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in.” After creating controversy with the inaccurate statements, Mr. Steele vowed not to step down. “I ain’t going anywhere. I’m here!” he said.
BREAKING NEWS: Michael Steele Steps Down
Michael Steele was called a token by many. He won the chairman of the RNC after President Obama became president of the United States, and unfortunately for him, he couldn’t see the obvious: that the Republican party was using him as a pawn.
At a time when America had been caught up in the euphoria of the first black president who happened to be a Democrat, the Republicans needed to capture some of that excitement. They were a party who had lost the Senate, the House of Representatives and now, the Presidency. They needed to end the image of a party of old white men, so Michael Steele miraculously became the first African American chairman.
Michael Steele has always said and done things that just seemed to be created for controversy. Of the many different incidents I can choose from, the one that really sticks out in my mind was when Rand Paul became the nominee for the Republican senator in Kentucky. Paul himself created a stir with his claim that businesses should be allowed to discriminate against anyone, for any reason. Paul also expressed his displeasure with the civil act of 1964 and specifically mentioned Martin Luther King Jr. as someone who should be discriminated against if a business chooses not to serve the civil rights icon.
Michael Steele was asked about his feelings in regards to what his fellow Republican had said in Kentucky, and while the world watched to see if he would defend the civil rights of all Americans, even Dr. King, Steele decides that the Republican party was more important and proceeded to support his Republican friend’s position.
Asked 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 I’m going to say, well, you know, I’m going to condemn your view of it. It’s the people of Kentucky who will judge whether or not that’s a view that they would like to send to the senate.”
The ABC host asked him if he was comfortable with Rand Paul’s position. Mr. Steele again decided not to stand up for civil rights, but again, for a second time, defends Rand Paul, saying;
“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.”
A simple “I condemn that position, and I’m not comfortable with anyone who supports discrimination,” would have given Mr. Steele some respect. But his token value went up after these statements.
And it is now fitting that while we’re about to begin celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr., Michael Steele realizes that his tenor as Chairman of the RNC has come to an end. After failing to secure the necessary votes to advance his re-election to the chair, Steele announces that he is dropping out and will no longer seek the chairmanship. Even though Mr. Steele’s ”Fire Pelosi” campaign is seen by many as the reason why the Republican Party regained control of the House of Representatives in November.
In chess, a pawn is the lowest player on the board. They are used on the front lines and are quickly sacrificed if another, more important piece can advance. Mr. Steele, you have gone as far as you’re being allowed to. This sir, is where your servitude is no longer required.
Did you even get a thank you?
Related articles
- Will Michael Steele be replaced today as the leader of the RNC? Most likely yes. (iflizwerequeen.com)
- Michael Steele unintentionally nails his legacy with the RNC (shortformblog.com)
- BREAKING: Incumbent Michael Steele drops out of RNC chairman’s race (crooksandliars.com)
@Amy. I’ll agree with you, but in order to pick his brain, he’ll need to have one to begin with. I think that’s where the damage started, lack of cerebral matter!
He’s one of those unique characters whose brain you’d like to pick apart and find out just where the damage began…lol!