Michael Steele becomes first black RNC chairman

[woody60707]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090130/ap_on_el_ge/republicans

WASHINGTON – Michael Steele was elected Republican National Committee chairman on Friday, defeating the incumbent party chief and three other challengers over six rounds of voting to become the first black to lead the GOP. The former Maryland lieutenant governor takes over a beleaguered GOP as Republicans seek to rebound from back-to-back defeats in national elections that gave Democrats control of Congress and the White House.

"As a little boy growing up in this town, this is awesome," said Steele, the most moderate candidate in the field and considered an outsider because he's not a committee member.

In a brief acceptance speech, the new GOP chairman struck a tone of inclusiveness.

"We're going to say to friend and foe alike: We want you to be a part of us, we want you to with be with us, and for those who wish to obstruct, get ready to get knocked over," Steele said.

He won 91 votes out of a possible 168 in the sixth round. A simple majority of 85 was needed, but it took six rounds for Steele to win.

I guess this is breaking news and the AP is adding to the story. So click the link to read the full story.

wow, this seems is kinda huge. At least the repubs are learning their lesson and starting to head in the right direction.

edit: I was only half talking about the fact that he is black. The other half that he was the most moderate candidate to boot

 

[emzie]

His race isn't as important as his political ideology compared to the field. The Republicans in the House are nearly a majority southern. The more moderates leave, the stronger the 'base' holds onto an ideology that has no political future. Ken Blackwell, while black, would have been a poor choice for this reason.

 

[amadeus]

His race isn't as important as his political ideology compared to the field. The Republicans in the House are nearly a majority southern. The more moderates leave, the stronger the 'base' holds onto an ideology that has no political future. Ken Blackwell, while black, would have been a poor choice for this reason.

I'm sorry, aug, but it's thinking like this that destroyed the GOP in the first place. If the GOP "moderates" any more, they'll be a carbon copy of the Democrats.

 

[GoodGame]

Steele had a lot of popularity as a Republican (lt.) governor, and probably also was very noticeable due to proximity to the beltway.

 

[Rashiminos]

Argh, not him. This guy was horrible enough to lose to Cardin. He's not good for the GOP.

 

[Mark1031]

I'm sorry, aug, but it's thinking like this that destroyed the GOP in the first place. If the GOP "moderates" any more, they'll be a carbon copy of the Democrats.

Good luck with that strat.. There is no good strategy for Repubs right now. It seems you are going with the 92' 93 strategy of attack attack attack. However comming off of 8 yrs of Republican control the immediate attack rings hollow. The epic disaster of the Bush years would seem to call for some major soul searching.

 

[RT Winger]

In before: "Token Black guy for Republicans does not prove GOP not racist"

 

[LightSpectra]

I'm excited about this victory. Steele is an actual conservative, as opposed to all of the neocons and fundamentalists flooding the party. Perhaps he's going to pull the GOP back into the right direction.

 

[Masquerouge]

In before: "Token Black guy for Republicans does not prove GOP not racist"

It does prove GOP are copycats, though. Hehehe.

 

[GoodGame]

*yawn* Steele is a career lawyer and politician, not a token "uncle tom".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_S._Steele

 

[Rashiminos]

*yawn* Steele is a career lawyer and politician, not a token "uncle tom".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_S._Steele

Bolded for emphasis.

 

[GoodGame]

I would assume anyone running for a national political party chair would be a politician. At any rate it's a moral victory for Repubs, over say voting Palin as the the chair.

 

[Bill3000]

I'm excited about this victory. Steele is an actual conservative, as opposed to all of the neocons and fundamentalists flooding the party. Perhaps he's going to pull the GOP back into the right direction.

Pro-affirmative action actual conservative!

I'm sorry, aug, but it's thinking like this that destroyed the GOP in the first place. If the GOP "moderates" any more, they'll be a carbon copy of the Democrats.

Do you want your party to win, or do you want your party to be "ideologically pure"? You cannot have both. You need to realize that your views are not mainstream, nor will they ever be.

 

[Gilder]

I'm sorry, aug, but it's thinking like this that destroyed the GOP in the first place. If the GOP "moderates" any more, they'll be a carbon copy of the Democrats.

You are aware that we all move gradually more left as time goes on, right?

 

[Patroklos]

It does prove GOP are copycats, though. Hehehe.

Nah, we had a woman Secretary of State before the Dems, and we were way ahead of them in minority cabinet members (especially the ranking ones).

 

[Bill3000]

Nah, we had a woman Secretary of State before the Dems, and we were way ahead of them in minority cabinet members (especially the ranking ones).

Wait, what? Madeleine Albright was the first female Secretary of State. She was a Democrat, under Bill Clinton. Republicans had the first female Secretary of Interior, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, and Transportation, but not State, Attorney General, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, Energy, Education, and Homeland Security. Democrats had the first female secretary, as well.

 

[Cutlass]

I'm sorry, aug, but it's thinking like this that destroyed the GOP in the first place. If the GOP "moderates" any more, they'll be a carbon copy of the Democrats.

So you think the Republicans should finish driving out the conservative RINOs?

 

[Patroklos]

Wait, what? Madeleine Albright was the first female Secretary of State. She was a Democrat, under Bill Clinton. Republicans had the first female Secretary of Interior, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, and Transportation, but not State, Attorney General, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, Energy, Education, and Homeland Security. Democrats had the first female secretary, as well.

I meant to say National Security Advisor, not her second job, sorry.

 

[.Shane.]

So you think the Republicans should finish driving out the conservative RINOs?

lol, that would leave about 20 Repubs in the Senate.

Party the the South and Mormon belt, indeed! Quick, to the National Redoubt!

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

I'm sorry, aug, but it's thinking like this that destroyed the GOP in the first place. If the GOP "moderates" any more, they'll be a carbon copy of the Democrats.

Too late. When the moderate Reps realize it and join the Democrats, the GOP will move back right again and become a fringe regional party. Right where it should be.