RNC: Michael Steele Not Going Anywhere

It looks like we'll have at least five more months of Michael Steele gaffes to look forward to.

The RNC is attempting to put an end to speculation over the fate of Michael Steele after his latest series of controversial remarks:

Despite numerous calls for his resignation over comments made criticizing the war effort in Afghanistan, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele will not step down, RNC spokesman Doug Heye confirmed Tuesday.

Steele will stay on as the head of the committee amid criticism from Senate Republicans who took to the airwaves over the weekend to condemn his comments that the war in Afghanistan could not be won.

This isn’t entirely surprising. Removing Steele at this point would be disruptive for the party on the eve of what promises to be a very good election year. It would be rather pointless considering the fact that Steele’s term ends in December and it’s very unlikely that he’ll be re-elected given what has been a rather disastrous tenure notwithstanding the electoral successes that Republicans have enjoyed since the low point of the 2008 election.

The only thing the GOP needs is for Michael Steele to keep is mouth shut for the next five months………….

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Doug Mataconis
About Doug Mataconis
Doug Mataconis held a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University and J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. He joined the staff of OTB in May 2010 and contributed a staggering 16,483 posts before his retirement in January 2020. He passed far too young in July 2021.

Comments

  1. James Joyner says:

    I’m coming to the conclusion that party chairs are pretty marginal to normal people. Howard Dean was surprisingly good at DNC, although he had perfect storm to work with. Steele has been a disaster but it doesn’t seem to matter.

  2. An Interested Party says:

    I guess it is hard to get rid of affirmative action hires…

  3. floyd says:

    Actually, Michael Steele is a gentleman. If he has a flaw , it is being too concilliatory.

    Howard Dean on the other hand is a mean sarcastic loudmouth without a single redemptive quality…… the perfect DNC chair.

  4. Brummagem Joe says:

    floyd says:

    ” Howard Dean on the other hand is a mean sarcastic loudmouth without a single redemptive quality…… the perfect DNC chair.”

    He’s also a qualified medical practitioner and five times elected governor of Vermont whereas Steele is a one time Lt Governor and complete jackass, but an interesting value judgement all the same

  5. tom p says:

    ***The only thing the GOP needs is for Michael Steele to keep is mouth shut for the next five months………….***

    fat chance.

  6. Tom,

    Yea I was saying that with tongue firmly implanted in cheek.

    Unless someone keeps Steele tied up in a basement somewhere until November 3rd, we’ll be hearing from him again

  7. floyd says:

    “He’s also a…….”

    Joe;
    So you agree with my assessment?
    Where I come from being elected to governor is just a preview to a prison cell.
    Besides, Dean’s job was the lead “jackass”. and lots of people go to college just so they can meet and marry a doctor…. Hell it’s almost clichè! .

  8. wr says:

    Floyd — If you really care about facts and not just flinging insults at Democrats, you should know that Dean was instrumental in bringing about Democratic control of congress and ultimately the White House. Previous DNC chairs had written off states they considered too “red” — Dean insisted on a 50-state strategy that meant devoting great financial resources to building Democratic infrastructure in — yup — all 50 states.

    The fact that you think he’s “mean” seems oddly less important than that.

  9. floyd says:

    Wr;
    True compared to what you describe , “mean” is inconsequential!

  10. anjin-san says:

    ” Howard Dean on the other hand is a mean sarcastic loudmouth without a single redemptive quality…… the perfect DNC chair.”

    I know you are bitter because Dean, who Republicans dismissed as a flyweight, punk slapped them right out of power during his tenure with the DNC. Regardless, you do not have a clue what you are talking about, and you pretty much sound like an idiot.

    Have you ever met Dean, or seen him speak? I have, many times. A very bright guy who did a lot of good both in Vermont and at the DNC. I found him to be engaging, gracious with his time and he lacks the bad habit that so many politicians have of looking over your shoulder while he is talking to you for someone with a bigger checkbook.

    Even if you can’t stand the guy, you should give him credit for the work he did getting the Democrats back in power (gains they started giving back as soon as he left the DNC).

    It’s a small man who can’t give credit where credit is due Floyd. You seem like a guy who could fit through a keyhole.

  11. Brummagem Joe says:

    floyd says:
    Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at 17:20
    “Besides, Dean’s job was the lead “jackass”. and lots of people go to college just so they can meet and marry a doctor…. Hell it’s almost clichè! ”

    Well it’s true Dean is married to a doctor as well as being one himself……I can see you’ve given this a lot of thought