There is still racism in the Democratic Party. You’ll notice it most in urban areas where the Republican Party doesn’t have any chance and the real elections take place in the Democratic primaries. If you analyze the voting patterns, you’ll find a strong correlation between the race of the voter and the race of the politician. If you get down in the trenches and go door-to-door for a black candidate in white neighborhoods, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to reflect on the persistence of racism even in our most multicultural cities. Frankly, some people (even Democrats) aren’t too shy or embarrassed to openly express racist sentiments to strangers. Yet, the prevalence of this phenomenon is dwindling and it remains mostly subterranean. It is actually kind of rare these days for a white Democrat to send out the kind of dog whistle attacks that appeal directly to the racist white voter. On the other hand, racism in the Republican Party does not seem to be dwindling, and there is no short shortage of dog whistling going on. We’ve seen this most nakedly at the Tea Rallies and on the Internet. So, I have to agree with Michael Steele that a lot of the criticism he takes is racial in nature.
The problem is, he’s such a buffoon and he’s so incompetent that it’s impossible to distinguish between legitimate criticism of his ridiculous performance and unfair attacks based on his race. If he were raising a lot of money and making a decent showing in the media, you’d be able to tell who was making unfair attacks. In reality, Steele’s ‘streetwise’ act isn’t fooling anybody.
“It is actually kind of rare these days for a white Democrat to send out the kind of dog whistle attacks that appeal directly to the racist white voter.”
Yah, if you just ignore what happened during the primary.
Gotta love white folks and the way they tell history.
I was trying to avoid reopening the primary. I think my record on that is stored somewhere on the Internets.
He’s been having issues from jump; he had to go through three rounds of voting and won in the last round to become chairman I believe. Almost immediately, the party attempted to limit his power and cut off the purse strings. There’s been a huge internal fight from what I can see that has actually spilled out in the media. Despite all these issues, his party picked up two governors seats and the RNC did a great job in MA on Scott Brown’s election. They successfully hid there help and didn’t call attention to their plans; despite the mocking and picked up a huge upset seat. Given the fact that the Republican party has been hijacked by the tea party people; he’s done a good job IMO.
He’s just not getting support and a lot of that is because he’s a Mitt Romney type. He does what you want him to do in any particular situation and that pliability breeds contempt. But IMO, Steele seems like a good boss and a capable politician and he’s great on TV. If they gave him more room to run; he’d be doing a better job IMO. But given the lack of institutional support; he can’t count on wingnut welfare and he’s padding his nest in addition to being chairman which in turn is not only unseemly but rubs donors the wrong way. No one cares, then, about the success he’s had. Which is irrational; but then again we’re talking about Republicans.
Personally, I don’t think Steele is acting out of the norm for what Republicans are used to. Just look at the state party in FL and the mess there and the RNC and you can see this is an institutional grifting within the party.
The Republican Party has had success during his tenure, but it’s hard to attribute much credit to Steele. Although, I agree that he doesn’t get any.
I mainly disagree with your assessment that he is a good spokesman. I think he’s terrible.
Given the fact that the Republican party has been hijacked by the tea party people; he’s done a good job IMO.
Done a good job? Why? Because he writes Stewart’s & Colbert’s material for them?
Michael Steele is good on TV??? FTW!
More liek Michael Steele is good for TV comdey newshows, esp Colbert/Stewart.
Sadly not “subterranean” at all in Appalachia. It’s in the DNA here.
Trust me Booman, there is still plenty of racism in the good ole USA from both parties. I live in Cleveland and I see it here every day. I don’t know what ” subterrenean” you ate talking about because it’s always here on top.
Don’t be offended, but you live in the woods. What do you see all day?
I lived in Philly until three years ago. I knocked doors for Obama in the suburbs, and ran ACORN’s operation in Montgomery County in 2004. I think I am qualified to talk about the level of openly expressed racism in this area of the country, anyway.
No offense Booman, I’m sure your sincere but I’m positive noones calling you the ” n” word to your face. And I’m sure you don’t have folks who work for the democratic party in your town calling you ” you people”. I experience life as a black person period.
Its very hypocritical of Michael Steele to try to dismiss criticisms of him as racism, since the only reason he won the post is because his skin color made him stand out among the crowd of lackluster candidates he ran against. Steele is in the position because the GOP still adheres to the outdated notion that he immunizes the party against charges of racism. He defends every racist comment and tactic that comes from his party, then cries racism as soon as detractors within his party point out how incompetent he is. Ironically, white conservative guilt is the only thing keeping him employed.
The party that chooses Palin and the leadership of that party that chooses Steele…well, at least they’re consistent.
Conservatives believe that affirmative action doesn’t – and can’t – lead to choosing qualified people. For them, considering the race or gender of applicants results in inferior performance.
But politics sometimes forces them to betray their ideology. So when they’re compelled to exercise affirmative action for political reasons – Clarence Thomas, Harriet Miers, Sarah Palin, Michael Steele – they can’t seem to integrate diversity with competence. It’s a mental block for them.
I think that’s why conservatives have such epic fails in this regard and so few successes. It’s not just that the pool of ethic minorities and women is so much smaller among conservatives, but that in their mind, normal judgment of qualifications is almost mutually exclusive with pursuing diversity.