Cheat Sheet
The Best In Brief
Michael Steele: GOP 'Disingenuous'
It’s been awhile since we’ve had a Michael Steele gaffe. Here you go: “Look, we can't go back out and start pointing fingers at Democrats and saying look how bad they're performing, look at what they're doing with the economy when we jumpstarted this thing,” RNC Chairman Steele said on MSNBC's Morning Joe. “We were the ones that put the $700 billion on the table and said, all right, let's start nationalizing the banking system. … So now, for us to stand back and go, oh, that's a bad thing to do is disingenuous.” Of course this may fit the Michael Kinsley definition of gaffe—“A gaffe is when a politician tells the truth”—but it’s not likely to go over well with the Republican rank-and-file, who already have a target on Steele’s back. Expect a clarification later today.
shortcourse
That was a great interview with Michael Steele this morning. I wish it could have gone on longer. It was great to hear a politician speak from the heart. This is what is needed to start building a true conservative party.
amapola101
He seems to be a class act. A real nice human being!!!! A very fine man.I agree he is a great,truthfull politician.People are sick of ranting, criticizing, and the lies,and bipartisanism.We are all in this together, and philosophically, there can be disagreements,but there has to be truth,and respect. The republicans,like Limbaugh, Coulter, Rove, Chaney, they sound like broken records.!!
squiggy
No one cares about the rank and file. Steele should never apologize for telling the truth and he has his work cut out rebuilding the GOP. I glimpsed the interview but also thought he sounded genuine. I wish him luck.
lmpublications
Michael Steele's comments about how the bailout efforts began accidently exposed both the truth, as well as the GOP's total hypocrisy on many of their anti-Obama attacks. The so-called party of fiscal conservatism ran up the deficits for years, by fighting 2 wars and increasing domestic programs, while at the same time never finding a tax they didn't want to cut. Their lack of effective oversight over Wall Street and then their herky-jerky response to the crisis (saving some companies, while letting others fall) left Obama with the worst mess since FDR.
I almost feel sorry for Steele. He probably thought he was going to preside over the Party of Lincoln. Instead, he presides of the Party of "No", led by such characters as Limbaugh, Palin, and Gov. "Secession" Perry. He should be getting his on-air beat down from the true leader of this sorry bunch, Boss Limbaugh, anytime now.
This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.
jeffsalzberg
Yes, Michael, I'm sure that's the only reason they didn't consider you to be a credible candidate.
This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.
DrewK79
I wonder if "Steele" means what he is saying in this interview or is he using his cause and effect test kit to see who is on his side.
It seems to me Mr Steele will be criticized widely by Limbaugh and Hannity for these remarks. I am not surprised he has made these comments. I will be surprised if he stands by them after attacked.
It seems Mr Steele says whatever is necessary to make the person asking the questions happy in an effort to extend his political career.
bobj356
Don't be Distracted by the OBVIOUSNESS of it.all....... Don't allow it to Confuse You! Michael Steele's vying for a lofty Position On The DNC!!!
Mixpixlix
Let's not forget CORPORTE WELFARE that has given billions to companies for not doing things that could make them money. Anyone wanting to know about government handouts to the rich, powerful and connected should read Free Lunch. It's appalling that our government sits by while tens of thousands go without and multimillionares gets subsidies for golf courses and other pursuit of the wealthy.
If Mr. Steele has finally found his backbone, good for him. Americans are really, really tired of the polarization in Washington. Tired of the bickering and especially tired of costs falling on the shoulders of the middle class as their jobs, benefits and American dream fades.
Progressive2
Steele has a point, but he said a mistake,
"let's start nationalizing the banking system"
Bush didn't want to nationalize the banks even I can tell that and I'm not a R.
I hope to god when Steele gets attacked by Rush about this he apologize so Dems can keep laughing at him.
mattbenzor
More like the one's who stole 700 billion with no way to find out where the money went .What a fraud mr.steele is he is hanging on to his politic life the all white boy's club chose him as a look see guy and nothing else
AdGuy65
Michael Steele told the truth it is really the REPUBLICANS who are the Socialists! LOL
SlaveRevolt
"...RNC Chairman Steele said on MSNBC's Morning Joe"
Ah, good old Joe Scarborough. Not just anybody could have their secretary turn up dead in their office and not only not even be considered a suspect but end up hosting their very own t.v. show.
hardrain
Whaa? Seriously?
SlaveRevolt
Unfortunately, yes. It was when Scarborough was in the U.S. House of Representatives representing a district in Florida. Google the name Lori Klausutis. Here's a little information about the case including Scarborough getting a crooked medical examiner whose license had been suspended in Florida to perform the autopsy.
http://www.americanpolitics.com/20010808Klausutis.html
This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.
SlaveRevolt
The G.O.P. is disingenuous for electing an Uncle Tom as its chairman and expecting everyone to not see that it's a transparent attempt at rebranding itself as something other than the party of angry old white men with Confederate flags decorating their mobile homes, an attempt that anybody with more than s**t in their head would see right through.
misha1000
Nixon started loan guarantees with Lockheed, so the GOP should shut up.
AndreainNY
Why was this called a "gaffe"?
There is an unhealthy obsession with every Republican hiccup, and this deathbed watch is pure indulgence of it.
Thank you.
As a first time user, your comment has been submitted for review. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a day or two for your comment to be reviewed, depending on the time of week and the volume of comments we receive.