Apostle Claver: Chill on Steele. But, Just For a Minute.
It’s a word that I’m not in the habit of using, but I am. Pragmatic.
It simply doesn’t make sense at this moment to go after the head of Chairman Steele. It’s not pragmatic. There are several reasons to let him be – for the moment.
Nevertheless, it cannot be understated that his “gaffes” are becoming habitual and his success as a fund-raiser and organizer can certainly be questioned. The issue is: Is it a good time, in the middle of a campaign season, to be distracted further by the distractions of a chairman that seems to be more concerned about his own personal, celebrity profile versus elevating the profile of conservative, GOP candidates, and the superiority of conservative ideology and solutions?
Those of you that have witnessed the PowerPoint presentation that I share all across this nation understand my ultimate mission of helping pro-Constitution, conservative candidates win elections at all levels of government. Thus, my thoughts on the Chairman Steele matter stem from that priority. To start an internal fight within the Republican Party over the continued controversies launched by Chairman Steele would act as a deterrent to the ultimate goal of putting President Obama in check. It is mandatory that the Republican Party take control of the United States House of Representatives by winning the November 2 general election, taking control of the nation’s purse strings, and then looking toward 2012 to make Obama a one-termer.
Chairman Steele’s role in winning the upcoming general election is going to be minimal, at best. There’s four months before voting starts across the country. Odds are he’s going to say something “stupid” again. However, those of us that care so deeply about this country and believe that the GOP is the best hope of advancing conservative values, are going to have to swallow hard again, not be distracted, and keep working toward that end.
The Media: At It Again
Sure, we can blame the media for stirring up the mess. But, Chairman Steele is squarely to blame. If we were to look honestly at the comments that he made that are so infuriating, maybe we can get an even better insight into how he thinks and reveal a deeper flaw to his leadership.
While the media focuses on his comments on Afghanistan and the war of Obama’s choosing, I believe we should be focusing on whom the chairman was addressing. If you listen closely to the sound bite of the speech, the very first thing you hear Chairman Steele say is that his following words (advice) were for federal candidates. Therein lies the leadership flaw.
His controversial statement was an attempt to steer federal candidates toward an uniformed talking point on the war in Afghanistan. Thus, Chairman Steele was advising candidates with chances to gain seats for the GOP in the fall to follow his fallacious messaging. What?
So, the media sort of missed it. They attempted to staple Steele’s comments to a personal belief.
This is why Chairman Steele’s backpedal the next day – issuing a statement that he supports the war – makes sense. He wasn’t advocating pulling out of Afghanistan. He was trying to advocate for candidates in this most critical election to run on the nonsense that he was spewing out. Shocking! What if some dense candidate hearing his words actually took him up on it? What if the “hidden” camera hadn’t been there to record his foolishness and it never became a media storm? How many elections would have been lost? How many potential seat gains would be squandered because some fortune-and-glory-seeking candidate without a lick of political sense would have actually adopted the talking point?
In my mind, this type of reasoning and strategy from the chairman of the Republican Party is what really should be commanding our attention. What kind of brain would give such advice?
What To Do, Now
We just chill on Steele through the November election. If we have to ignore him, we just have to ignore him. As hard as it may be, we make him inconsequential to the overarching theme of victory in November. Yes, it will be hard because he will be fighting to keep himself in the limelight all the way to his demise. He can’t help it. He wants to be the star.
Let me state, as I have on Facebook, I was a big supporter of Chairman Steele for his bid to become the chairman. I endorsed him openly and encouraged others to get behind him. But, unlike my African-American brothers and sisters in the other party that refuse to acknowledge the debacle which is the 44th presidency of the United States, I don’t have any issues with taking issue with the first Black chairman of the GOP. If he’s making a hot mess, he’s making a hot mess and I won’t circle the wagons around him.
With everyone knowing the mission of RagingElephants.org to enlarge the conservative voting base and the GOP through racial diversity, I’m highly disappointed at his failure to address the demographic crisis crippling the party. He’s been useless to that cause.
Yet, calling together the state RNC committeemen and having a fight over ousting him isn’t worth it at this juncture in time. We chill until the winter meetings and the election of a new chair. We urge our state committeemen to not reelect Chairman Steele (that won’t be hard). And as soon as the last ballot is cast on November 2, let the search for another chairman of the Republican Party commence in earnest.
Can anyone say “Palin”?
Hey Clavar I totally agree with you on this and YES I believe Palin would be a wonderful RNC Chair. I have been saying that for months. She demands a crowd, is a great cheerleader and can raise money! I so hope she takes this path instead of running for President. I have a question though does none of the blame for this set directly with the so called Republican (since it was a Republican fundraiser) who made the tape and then played it publicly and stirred all this up? I understand what you mean about if it had never gotten out but isn’t that an act of trying to cause problems? Just asking.
when are you coming to the philadelphia area
Actually I found Ann Coulter’s assessment, “Bill Kristol Must Resign”, the most enlightening and probably most accurate. Personally I have stopped giving to the GOP because they always seem to support the RINO Republicans. Until the GOP gets it and understand they need all real conservatives on their rosters and not their current phonies, I’ll not give them another penny. So poor fund raising is not neccessarily M. Steele’s fault alone. The party has continued to cater to a bunch of “compassionate” conservatives”! They are just progressives by another name.
Thank you for your clear direction towards responsible conservatism and your support of our Constitution.
I can say “Palin”!!
As usual, you are full of good solid common sense advice!!
Thanks so much!!
Donna Snelling
Kansas
I do agree, but in his defense, it was Obama that said, Iraq was the bad war and Afghanistan was the good war. No war is good, but now that we are there, we need to take care of business. History of Afghanistans wars brought down the Soviet Union, with our help ofcourse, what we didn’t do after the Soviet’s left was help out the infrastructure of the people. Watch Charlie Wilson’s War if you get a chance. Charlie wanted i think a couple of million dollars from congress for the schools, and they turned him down. If I could have my wish, I’d have all of our men come home, all over the world, and watch our borders. We are definitly in historical times, Lets pray for our troops, and pray for our country.
We are essentially thinking the same way here. I did a blog post on it yesterday and the Houston Chronicle spotlights it today online. I stressed that Republicans have to focus on winning in November.
http://www.ponderingpenguin.blogspot.com “I Can See November From My House”
Good points!
Any one that is under the magnifying glass of hidden cameras and hidden microphones long enough will sooner or later say or do something stupid. Some sooner than others and more often than others.
To many of us not trained in politics, after awhile much of what is being said by the candidates on both sides (regardless of the color of their skin) often begins to sound like empty pompous nonsense. That is why most don’t believe either party, and choose to stay home rather than vote!
I don’t understand many things being talked up in the media.
But one thing I do know, if we don’t stop killing our unborn, destroying marriage laws and erasing God from the public square we will not survive. Ignoring the natural laws of God does not make them ineffective. The law of gravity kicks in when you jump off a ten story building, whether you believe it or not!
If we do not protect the right to life for ALL, none of the rest of it really matters too much.
I’m sick unto death of the liberal females claiming they have a right to murder unborn children, as if this decision has no effect on the rest of our nation! I’m even sicker of Republicans that say they will protect the unborn and then after being elected to office, they don’t!
We ended up with a President who would advise young females to murder their unborn child to erase their sexual mistakes, because too many of us have been asleep at the wheel in America, myself included! Too many of us have bought into the lies that one person’s vote doesn’t matter and one person’s actions don’t effect the rest of us.
America is learning the hard way that “every vote matters”! Our apathy has brought us to the brink of destruction.
I agree with you that the true conservatives must regain control of the Republican Party and we must make our voices heard.
Michael Steele or any other leader of the Republicans can’t take us anywhere we don’t want to go! Let’s give Mr. Steele some grace for now and continue to fight the good fight for the sake of our country.
I wholeheartedly agree with you! Well said!
Regarding Palin: We know that despite how much many of us like her she’s just not electable for POTUS. That said a GREAT place for her is head of the RNC! What a perfect fit! She definitely rallies the right and, just as importantly, annoys the left. With her in that position she could draw a lot of negative heat from whomever ends up running against Obama in 2012. She’s proven, beyond a doubt, that she can raise funds like no one else, she’s a great figurehead for the TEA Party movement, and, like I said, she annoys the left.
Did I mention that she annoys the left?
Shared on Facebook with these comments:
Apostle Claver [Claver Kamau-Imani] is bright articulate tireless conservative that I enjoy reading. While I am never in 100% agreement with anyone, it does come close with Brother Claver. I do agree with 100% on the subject of Chairman Steele and Claver’s reasoning is sport on.
I would truly like to know what everyone thinks on this matter. Which is more important. Michaels Steele’s head or the November election?
I had high hopes for Chairman Steele. But he swiftly set about dashing them, promoting the ‘big tent’ (sounds good, but when you have to ignore or waterdown EVERYTHING you stand for as a party for the sake of a crowd, you lose and accomplish nothing. He reaches out to abortionists and embraces those who want to redefine marriage. He aplauds AL SHARPTON! He can’t make up his mind on the issues, or is afraid to state candidly and honestly what he actually believes.
He seems to intentionlly be funbling the ball, he CAN’T be stupid or ignorant. You do not get elected to the top by being stupid. He is breaking the party when it should be clarifying and strengthening its platform of limited government, constitutional rights and the universal benefit bestowed on ALL Americans regardless of color.
Steele is in the mold of McCain. They will not stand and take the fight to the next level, they will not. Because they are progressive.
The republican party is a party that was founded in freedom! Repulsing the tyranny of slavery. It was a bold and brazen party, not afraid to take a stand for what was right.
Mushy politicians cowering to reveal their true views or to take a stand for right are not worth anything to the cause of liberty. Or out right endorsing and standing by socialists like DeDe Scozzafava.
Unforgiveable! I will take my support directly to candidates that are worth supporting. I do not trust Steele. He is consistently caught with his progressiveness showing. It is far more than an embarassment.
Of the main parties, the GOP presents the best platform. But we must not let this soften us into accepting obama-lite. The lesser of two evils is still evil, and unless we DEMAND a choice of good, we will continue to get lesser of 2 evils while sliding down farther and farther into greater evil.
America cannot long endure on this path. The Lord hates hands that shed innocent blood, how long will we endure? The Lord hates theft, how long will he be slack as those progressives hiding behind both party labels devour widows houses for a pretense?
God bless and keep fighting!
You are right on, Claver. Let cooler heads prevail! We must be ready for any sound/viedo bite the opposition tries to use against our mission; but remember, don’t react, take a deep breath and respond. Thank you for your sound leadership.
You are exactly right. There are many things to point out that he did incorrectly, in my humble opinion, but he only has six months to go in his term and trying to throw him out now would take energy needed for victory in November. Michael Steele is a decent man who did a few things wrong, but with the way the party itself is viewed in many quarters, the chairman is inconsequential to victory. Let the press carry on if they must, but we should go about our business of defeating progressives who want to impoverish us and run our lives.
A while back, I received an email from Chairman Steel, asking for my input. I laid out for him exactly what the problems were with the Republican Party and why we lost the last 2 elections. I told him that as long as the party supported candidates that are not small government conservatives, we will loose. As long as Republicans act like RINO’s, rather than adhering to the Republican platform, we will loose. I choose to be a Republican, simply because I believe in the principles laid out in the Republican platform. We need to take our party back, by voting out RINO’s.
I also sent Chairman Steel an unsolicited message as a follow up. I didn’t receive an actual answer to either one, but I let him know in no uncertain terms what was on my mind.
I wholeheartedly agree with you and Larry. But frankly I also don’t think that this gaff was that big of a deal.
I would argue that it IS now BHO’s war in that he is not talking tough to the corrupt Pakistanies, when:
1.) Candidate BHO claimed he would, therefore prolonging this war and amortizing the future of generations not yet borne;
2.) He has our soldiers fight with one arm tied behind their back costing more American lives, even offering a medal of honor for “Extra Ordinary Constraints” to hold one’s fire.
I for one am sick and tiered of the hypocritical leaders in DC calling for Steel’s head, while they allow a former KKK grand …whatever.. to be sent off in full glory and forgiven for his murderous sins by “The Messiah”.
GIVE ME A BRAKE!!
VF.
Palin will be president in 2012 and should not be the chairman of the RNC — Steele should remain as the chairman, he didn’t forget about what we did under Bush in Afghanistan. He is referring to the trouble that Obama is in, with the cut off date and all. It is Obama’s War!
I love you Claver! This is from your wholewheat cracker FAN in Friendswood, Texas, man!!! You are “right on,” as usual!
Stampede! Dead on!
Well said, Claver (as usual). Perhaps you (or a real Conservative Republican) can replace Steele in December or January. They need someone in the Palin-Pawlenty-Jindall mold who will clarify a NO-RINO policy for the GOP: I think many of us who have felt betrayed would dig deep into our pockets. Your strategy is sound: the Left is trying to exploit/marginalize Steele and hopefully distract Republicans from the real struggle as November approaches. We will need better, wiser, more articulate leadership before 2012.
Afghanistan is critical to our offensive against Anti-Freedom Jihadism, that country but is the toughest military nut to crack. Alexander, Britain, and Soviet Union learned that lesson in the past and Afghanistan has changed very little since then. Afghanistan is also the diametric opposite situation from Iraq: a strategy that worked well in a modern 20th century country like Iraq with a long history of strong central government will fail miserably in the distributed and autonomous 15th century village/tribe culture of Afghanistan. The Special Ops guys who have served for the past 10 years in both countries will attest to this reality. Afghans will always reject a central government.
Unfortunately the Army’s senior leadership responds to political pressure and is trying to force-fit a square peg Iraq strategy into the round hole Afghanistan conflict. Our sons and daughters are paying heavily for that decision. The right strategy is a long-term (decade) special ops village-centric focus where teams live like Afghans alongside the tribes and empower those tribesman to defend their homes and families. Conventional forces at firebases provide fire and logistical support and are less visible.
If only America’s leadership could sign up to a commitment like that, we might have a chance for victory.
I take issue with the RNC giving money to campaigns prior to the primary. They followed the right pathway to do this (lifting title 11) but the fact that they DID it drives me crazy! Take the GUB race in MD for example. Bob Ehrlich received funds from the RNC. The RNC sought permission from the MD GOP and MD GOP gave it (lifting title 11). This action functions as a full on endorsement when there is another candidate in the race. It does not matter that former Gov Ehrlich has name recognition and Murphy does not. What matters is that the RNC and MD GOP have set up a pathway to channel many uninformed voters toward Ehrlich. This sort of process is much like the behaviors of the current regime that we the people despise. The credibility of the RNC and MD GOP are questionable as that is of Ehrlich. The RNC is struggling with funds and yet they sink funds into a blue state in which Ehrlich lost his bid for re-election. Does it have to do with Steele having been the former LT GOV (and he did an excellent job and deserves to be recognized) or was it simply strategy to lift MD from the state of “being blue”? My jury is still out on who I will support in the GUB race. My principles are very conservative and so far, my research has shown me that Ehrlich is too moderate for my taste. BUT, now I am watching actions since I realize this is a whole new ball of wax….I just wish the RNC and MD GOP will catch on an follow the ball!
When I first heard Steele, I said (outloud – by myself!) “Why in the world would he say something like that??” In retrospect, Obama has pretty much made this “his” war by his actions or rather lack of… His deaf ear to McChrystal from the time he took office was incomprehensible!
In the entire seven-year course of the Afghanistan war under Bush, from October 2001 to January 2009, 625 American soldiers were killed. In 18 short months, Obama has nearly doubled that number to 1,124 Americans fatalities. Vince Flynn shared on Glenn Beck a couple of wks ago that he was visiting the troops – A soldier told him that his biggest fear was that he would come home and FED agents would be waiting to arrest him – for doing his job! (I don’t remember if he was talking specifically for himself or the group.) That tells me – This is NOT war as usual folks!
This is not in defense of Steele. I am VERY concerned about our troops! Steele has had such an incredible opportunity to bring and build greater racial diversity to the Rep party, and I don’t see it! A. Claver is THE man that is doing that! Hey! That’s an idea!!
i completely agree with you on “chill on steele”…and palin would be a great choice for RNC chair.
well spoken, and yes I do agree that Palin would make a GREAT RNC Chair!
Michael: If the republican party is paying attention the people of the republican party are not listing to the party chair.
When the party chooses the candidate before the primmary it says to the people we don’t care what you think. I am supporting Hector Maldonado for US Senator from Missouri. The local media will not even report that there are others on the ballot besides Blunt and Purguson because they are both in office now.They cannot tell me that they are also playing politics wheh the party favorites are given air time and the others are not. They won’t even returrn calls.
That is why the I couldn’t care less what the National Republican party says and does. We the people can decide who the candidate will be by getting the information to the people ourselves.That is a difficult with out money.
I agree. We should cut the man some slack. I never see the Dems shoot their own so neither should we. We cannot be divided at this all important time. I would imagine that Mr. Steele has gotten the message.
The most insightful and accurate analysis seen to date on Steele. We do need to focus on what’s truly important for conservatives as the progressives are for their soon to be lost cause.
If Fox was smart they would pick up Claver, but he is not in DC or NYC so its inconvenient for them.
Totally agree. I do see Palin as an excellent talent for “rallying the troops”, she still sells out wherever she goes.
I’d sure like to see your face on Fox News more often though!!
Wow, Apostle Claver, you have received great comments on this post so far! I agree with most everyone here that cooler heads prevail over RNC Chairman Steele. Like most here, I had high hopes for him and was thankful that he won the seat. I had defended him on Facebook under Black Conservatives Group. There was one red flag that I did not see until now – he only served one term. Why didn’t he get reelected?
Really? Palin? You cannot be serious. She is a super-sized gaffe machine who doesn’t know anything. That was what was reported from her handlers during the 2008 campaign. If you want to accelerate the GOP’s descent into the dustbin of history I say please, elect Palin as head of the RNC. She has shown herself time and time again to be anti-intellectual and someone who thinks “what do you read” is a gotcha question. She is a fine cheerleader and fundraiser but should be kept far away from any position of importance. Then again since I’m a liberal maybe you should appoint her to all important positions;-) I hope you were joking, he may not be perfect but Mr. Steele has more brains in his left index finger than Palin on her best day.
Its insulting to us as a race, why they put this clown in that position in the first place. Republicans, how dumb do you think we are?
Steele? Rieally? Tell me if there was no Obama, there would be a Steele? Come on. We are not children to coddle too. Its offensive.