Michael Being Michael?

Michael Steele, the current chairman of the Republican National Committee, has a penchant for staying stupid things. He's got Biden-syndrome.

I've never been a big fan of Mr. Steele, nor have I been much of a detractor either. But over the past few months, his antics have gotten tiring and increasingly difficult to dismiss with a chuckle as "Michael being Michael" (Remember Manny being Manny? Didn't that get old, Red Sox fans?).

Recently, Steele said in an interview that the Republican Party wouldn't win back the House in 2010. Um, Michael? That sort of candor simply can't come out of the mouth of the Republican National Committee chairman. You're supposed to be optimistic about the party's chances no matter how bleak they are. But what was doubly stupid about this statement was that it very well may not even be true! Many commentators are saying Republicans have a 50/50 shot at taking back the House, given the political climate and the amount of seats Democrats must defend in red states/districts.

But wait. That's not all. Michael followed up his prediction by wondering aloud whether the GOP was even ready to lead. Yes, you read that right. The RNC chairman hinted openly that his party might not be prepared to govern.

This was just ONE INTERVIEW. Here are some other recent gems from Chairman Michael (thanks to the Hot Air archive, which I used to refresh my memory):

- He told his critics within the Republican Party recently to "shut up...get with the program or out of the way."

- When asked to grade himself on his first year job performance, he answered: "a solid B." This happened AFTER Barack Obama uttered his now-infamous "good solid B+" grade for his own first year. Steele had a perfect opportunity to dodge this question about his own job performance and turn it into a zinger against Obama...but no. Instead, he offered a grade just like Barack did...a lower one, in fact, and he stuck the word "solid" in front of it just like the president did. I know 8 year olds who wouldn't have missed the opportunity Steele had. That was like tee-ball, and Steele swung, missed, and then hit himself in the face with the bat.

- In a CNN segment with Steele, a moron named D.L. Hughley commented on the 2008 Republican National Convention, saying that it looked like "Nazi Germany." Steele sat quietly, and instead of jumping in to challenge Hughley for his disgusting remark, seemed to actually nod his head almost sympathetically.

- Steele recently stated his belief that "God, I really believe, has placed me here for a reason," making it seem like he didn't actively campaign for the chairmanship. Except that he did. Vigorously.

- Steele has been under fire for writing and promoting a book during his tenure as chairman, which apparently included speaking engagements for which he took money. As party chairman, it's your JOB to give speeches. Any money being made should be pumped back into the party, not stored away in your bank account.

Ok. That's just a taste. You can see why I, like so many others, have become critical of Mr. Steele and skeptical that he's the right man for the job.

But alright, surely Mr. Steele will take the constructive criticism in stride and promise to try to do better, right? After all, some people are just more gaffe-prone than others. A few apologies, a vow to right the ship, and everything will be hunky-dory. Right?

Heeeeeeeeeere's Michael: “I don’t see stories about the internal operations of the DNC that I see about this operation. Why? Is it because Michael Steele is the chairman, or is it because a black man is chairman?” (More at the link: http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/republican-national-committee/michael-steele-suggests-criticism-of-his-tenure-motivated-by-racism/)

Oh boy.

The reason there are stories, Michael, is because you created them. You said idiotic things. You questioned the chances of victory of the party that YOU are supposed to promote. You questioned your party's ability to govern. You took money for giving speeches that promoted your book. You claimed that your chairmanship is the result of divine will. You let someone liken your party's 2008 convention to Nazi Germany. And, despite all of these missteps, you had the gall to tell your critics to shut up.

What did this stooge expect? That we'd all embrace him as the Republican Party's Joe Biden? The GOP's Manny Ramirez? He's the party chairman. He's supposed to raise money, win elections, and promote the party. Instead, he's spent a year grabbing headlines for himself...and not for good reasons, either. The Republican Party is making a comeback in spite of Steele, not because of him.

And now this. The race card. From a guy who, just months ago, said he doesn't play that game. C'mon, man. Part of Michael Steele's appeal, part of the reason he won the chairmanship in the first place, is that he's a black Republican, and the party needs to start reaching out to minority voters. Let's face it: Michael Steele is a lackluster speaker and a gaffe-prone politician. If anything, the fact that he's a prominent black Republican has HELPED him become RNC chairman. Skin color certainly isn't the reason he's being criticized now. Steele's remarks are ridiculous. He needs to take responsibility for his actions and words instead of playing the victim.

In this instance, Michael Steele should channel Barack Obama, who responded to David Letterman's question about whether racism was playing a part in the criticism of his presidency by quipping: "I think it's important to realize that I was actually black before the election." So were you, Michael.