Steele Upbeat, Realistic In RNC Bid

Matt Lewis posts his take on a blogger conference call with Michael Steele to discuss his RNC bid. (with audio) Steele brought a strongly optimistic tone to his take on where the GOP stands, while also being realistic about its having a steep hill to climb. He advocated for adherence to core principles, better messaging and improved outreach, including Internet/blogger interaction among other elements required for a Republican resurgence.

L-dotters seem impressed: Whip smart, class act and a laid back sense of humor. We couldn't do better

David Harsanyi of the Denver Post was also on the call:

Steele said he was “sick and tired” of Republicans “running around and whining” and acting like “it’s the end of the world.” He believes that a majority of Americans share conservative values and that the election was a failure of Republicans rather than an ideological shift to the Left. To turn it around, Steele says he plans to focus on communicating conservative ideals in a more cogent and strategic way. No specifics on how he plans to do it.

Allahpundit ends up pulling for him but links to some reason for doubt. This came up during the call and Steele pointed out that Mel Martinez came from outside the RNC to chair. The committee itself changed the rules to allow runs from the outside.

If that’s true, if Steele’s doomed to lose to some RNC crony, it’s doubly unfortunate insofar as not only will the base be disappointed, but it’ll hand the Democrats an easy talking point about the prospects for black politicians within the GOP as compared to their own party. Not just for that reason but partly for that reason, I hope he pulls it out.

Steele was energetic and engaging during the call. The focus of the call and that he took the time to reach out to bloggers right away is a sign that he does understand some key elements of how the current Republican establishment has to continue to change for any comeback to be.

Is he the man to help lead a comeback at the RNC? It's possible but hard to say what with the committee getting to make the call. Certainly they could do much worse. Martinez's stint as chair was during a time when the GOP expanded its vote among Hispanics. But those gains were in part due to Bush and have since been fumbled away by some of the GOP rhetoric on immigration.

Steele brought up Immigration himself. As I planned to ask about his stance I followed up, suggesting the issue is now more nuanced than a simple question of Law and Order. Past administrations of both parties have largely ignored immigration laws allowing for a substantial number of illegals to become a legitimate part of America's workforce, whether we like to admit it, or not.

It was good to hear Steele indicate the GOP's need to put a human face on our side of the issues in that debate without simply tossing away the principle of adhering to the law.

The ultimate question may be moot as the Dems are expected to move on immigration reform. But that and with an existing, fast-growing legal Hispanic voting bloc, Republicans words and actions during a pending immigration debate present the risk of alienating an important voting bloc for generations to come.

The reality is, people can scream about principles all they want. But a GOP without the ability to make real inroads with blacks, Hispanics and labor could lead to screaming in vain by the GOP and conservatives for generations, not simply years.

Rove targeted Hispanics for good reason. It wasn't simply about convenience for a Texas governor. On values issues, work ethic and a desire to live freely and experience the American dream, a majority among Hispanic voters could come to represent a serious winning constituency for the GOP, just as Cubans have in Florida.

If the GOP squanders it with overly harsh rhetoric in a passing sort of populist appeal across the current base it would be a shame. And a shame the GOP might have to learn to live with alone in the wilderness for years.

Politics without power isn't governance - it's a hobby about as productive as playing video games. Without a workable plan to put you in a position to lead, you're not demonstrating real leadership at all. Steele seems to understand that concept. Whether he is the man to lead the RNC or not is up to them in the end.

Comments

[Ralph]

Social values are the inroad to black and hispanic voters. That is obvious.

If Steel becomes chairman I hope he will be more than a figure head. I hope he will lead.

As to the current debate as to the future of conservatism the answer is blindingly obvious. We need to promote and elect conservatives who are rock solid on all three legs of the conservative stool. If we can find and elect conservatives who are unflinchingly conservative on all branches of the conservative movement we will not fail. Such people have uncharacteristicly broad apppeal. This is obvioius. Reagan won in landslides. How the hell wlse could a guy like Newt take the house? We get caught up in this debate. The dems love that for they know united we stand and divided we fall.

They will tell you it is more about personality and the times and we sit around debating it. No it's not. Conservativism wins. Period. All three branches together. If we leave one, two or even all three branches out we look wishy washy. Our opponents seem to understand that, why can't we?

[WBestPresidentEver]

I like Steels demeanor. I think he may well be what the RNC needs.
We will see what happens.

[scarshapedstar]

"He believes that a majority of Americans share conservative values"

Americans value having a job, affordable health care, and looking forward to a retirement that doesn't involve dog food and a cardboard box. Conservatives can decide whether to share *their* values or to challenge our nation to, instead, tackle the grave problem of fellers kissin' fellers.

Gee, I wonder what they'll do?

[jharp]

http://crooksandliars.com/node/24066

"(republican governors convention)South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford was voted RGA chairman, taking over the top job from Texas Gov. Rick Perry who will now serve as finance chairman. Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is vice-chairman, while Florida Gov. Charlie Crist will serve as chair for the annual RGA gala, and Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue will head up the recruitment effort."

"Well, as much as the South's political power was diminished in the last election, it's pretty plain that the GOP for the foreseeable future is the Party of the South."

Maybe the GOP should see what David Duke is up to. I'm sure the Palin backers would love him.

Palin/Duke 2012!

[Typical Whte Person]

Don't know enough about Steele. If he cans the whole RNC i might start liking him. According to the article if we quit being conservative we could win an election. That already happened and we got Obama and change. McCain squirreled away a presidency by being a half arsed liberal and trying to match Obama on the giveaways.

McCain sits and holds hands with Lindsay Graham and Lieberman both tilting left with Lieberman far left. Lieberman and/or Obama could write the same bill for socialist praise.

McCain would do well to resign and retire.

I voted for Palin who at least has held a real job.

[gocart mozart]

What real job has Palin ever held? Head of the Wasilla PTA? A car wash that never washed a car? Help me out Typical White Person.

[WBestPresidentEver]

Sarah Palin accomplishments,
Lets see, she joined the PTA in Wasilla, she servered on the City Council of Wasilla, he was Mayor of Wasilla, she chaired the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and now is the Governor of Alaska. Not bad.
What have you done lately ?

[gocart mozart]

The PTA! That's impressive. I did not know that.