They chose Steele for the same reason they are championing Jindal, because they both have dark skin and they want to dupe the American people into thinking they are an inclusive, non-racist party, that doesn't pursue policies for the exclusive benefit of rich white guys.

If they're looking for someone better qualified to fill the position I'm pretty sure Joe the Plumber could take time off from his book publicity tour to take over.

You raise an important question, Steve. Why did they choose him? I can tell you why the Dems chose Dean four years ago, just like I could tell you why the GOP chose any number of chairman. But Steele? It was never quite sure. Was it just that he was black? There has to be more, since to pick the person whose job it is to rebuild your party just because of race is worse than picking a VP candidate who is a complete nincompoop. All she would have to do is smile and attend funerals.

I remember during the campaign when Steele was debating Michael Dukakis on some news program and Dukakis totally clowned him. My thought at the time was how much of an imbecile this guy was. I mean, I always thought he was kinda dumb but the degree to which he was really out of his depth when discussing important matters with adults was quite readily apparent in that moment. So, as a Democrat, although I was certainly puzzled, nothing could have made me happier than to see him become chairman of the RNC. Lets hope it lasts.

Last week, one of the two men sharing the job of interim finance director was forced to resign.
--------------

The guy who minds the money is forced to shut up and get out? Nothing to see there, folks, move along now.

He's also the treasurer of a Sarah Palin PAC ... clearly there's not even the hint of a story in this.

The Internet Says It
I Believe It
And That Settles It

I guess the republicans misoverestimated Steele.

It's too bad about the possibility of financial shenanigans here. Mr. Steele was hired because he was black and Republicans wanted to be cool too. Mr. Steele's incompetence revealed the blatant tokenism of their choice. Letting him go could have been a p.r. disaster.

But with a "scandal", Republicans are let off the hook, since now they can just let him go because of that... no fuss, no bother.

I used to see this guy on Bill Maher before I knew who he was. I used to think - What an asshole! He confirms it everytime he opens his mouth. Really is this the best they have ?

I think it was right to respond to Steele's idiotic remark about govt never creating jobs by pointing to people (like him) who are or have been on the govt payroll. But also worthy mention are the conditions created and sustained by govt (infrastructure, education, the list goes on) which allow the private economy to thrive and by thriving create employment. I suspect (charitably?) that this is what he meant, though it's equally wrong-headed.

I know why they chose Steele- because, like women, to Republicans, all blacks are the same. Sarah Palin was, to the GOP, an effective answer to Hillary Clinton. Steele was supposed to be the GOP Obama.

Steele imploding is probably a plus to the GOP- to them it proves what they already believe about minorities, and they get to say that they tried, and then go right back to an old white guy.

He was elected because the other white bread, white sheet candidates split the vote between them, the "brains" behind the movement thought it would be advantageous to have a new face mouth the same old ideas, none of them considered the possibility that he'd actually be different, and none of them put together are smarter than a box of puppies. But what, you have to ask, was the alternative? Rush is running the party, and what passes for smart among the Repubs knows it. You could see that in the declared candidates, and in those who decided to pass.

They chose him because someone thought "The Wire" had been renewed. They just love celebrities of their own ilk.

they chose steele because "the 4th floor" of the republican mentality is about as organized and thoughtful as steele's not-quite-coming-together staff. it's all bozos on that bus -- privileged, unprincipled, clueless country-club clowns...

it's hard work bein' a republican... to paraphrase a late great good 'un...

"I'm not entirely sure why the Republican National Committee chose Steele as its chairman..."

THANK YOU, Sean Hannity!

Between Limbo pushing Palin and You pushing Steele, following politics is much much more entertaining :)

Question: Someone told me that the average Limbaugh fan has a third grade education.

As much as it would SEEM that way, can that actually be true? I'd sure like to know.

Unfortunately, I bet they have at least some high school and are just idiots regardless of what education they might have.

Anyone know?

Question: Someone told me that the average Limbaugh fan has a third grade education.
===============

Then third grade has really gone downhill. Shallow bigotry of low expectations, maybe.

I don't think it is as simple as race and tokenism. I suspect there are a lot of Repubicans who would like to see a less extreme party - a party that doesn't merely accuse everyone of being a terrorist or socialist, while ignoring science and foreign treaties. The choices for chairman didn't offer anyone else who was close. He's an incompetent fool, but he may have been the only choice who knew We're all white Georgians now wouldn't make a good motto.

the Republican party is currently being run by thunderdolts who learned everything they knw about governance by the Alpha Beta house in Revenge of the Nerds. When they're in power, they do what they must to keep their lives cushy. When they're out of power, they do what they can to piss off those who they perceive as the unworthy nerds making their lives uncomfortable. Way to show off your leadership abilities, guys. When you're taking your cues from Ted McGinley, you've jumped the shark.

The promotion of Steele was a chop-off-your-nose-to-spite-your-face deal. Look at us! WE'VE got a black guy, too! And when he is forced to resign in disgrace, the GOP will be evil & stupid enough to think there's a silver lining - it somehow tarnishes Obama's success that another high-profile black politician failed, as opposed to it tarnishing the GOP brand that a Republican was such an incompetent corrupt boob. It's all short-term, petty & spiteful moves, doughtbwhite middle-aged temper tantrums conducted on the national stage. Denial and anger working side by side. Either they'll eventually move on to the other stages of grief, or they'll try to start a revolution. The pols & Limbaughs of the party are a bunch of femmebots hiding behind the britches of the base. But some of those base members? They're pissed and armed and susceptible to bad ideas (as evidenced by embracing a party that actively effs them over and panders to their pro-life-anti-gay tendencies). That dude who hated liberalism so much he shot up the progressive church won't be the only martyr for the cause, I fear. Certainly not if Boss Limbaugh has anything to squeal about it.

"I'm not entirely sure why the Republican National Committee chose Steele as its chairman..."

duh. cause he's black.

next issue!

Question: Someone told me that the average Limbaugh fan has a third grade education.

That's true, but only because a couple of them have honorary Ph.D's from Bob Jones University. They skew the average.

Steele's choice is no surprise. Think back over the last eight years, recalling nearly anyone Republicans tabbed to perform any task. Monica Goodling, Alberto Gonzalez, "Heckuva of a job" Brownie, Lurita Doan, Hadley, Yoo, etc. The list could stretch on for several dozen single spaced pages. Is Steele any surprise? Nah, not at all, it's the way they do business.

"I'm not entirely sure why the Republican National Committee chose Steele as its chairman..."

Because everyone else is either in prison, under indictment, or mixed up in something that will lead to indictment or prison.

Really is this the best they have ?

While I agree with comments above, that folks like Steele, Palin, and Jindal are viewed by the GOP as worthy answers to Obama and Clinton, when you look at who they've got then you really have to wonder if there is anyone better.
Who among the other RNC Chair candidates is capable of doing what Howard Dean did, or is even capable of being a decent manager like Tim Kaine? I don't remember hearing much from Dean during his tenure, except towards the end when he was taking a well-deserved victory lap. He was too busy actually working on a strategy and finding candidates who could win in every region of the country.
I think Limbaugh was right in one respect--Steele doesn't appear to be doing what a party chair should be doing. As a Democrat, I couldn't be happier, but I'm actually starting to feel embarrassed for the Republicans. I'm starting to wonder if the Blue Dogs might someday be the ones to splinter off and form the second major party--while Republicans become a regional third party.
The political center would finally shift to the left where most of the country is, so that would be good.

Because everyone else is either in prison, under indictment, or mixed up in something that will lead to indictment or prison.

But now it's looking like Steele falls into that group as well.

Chairman Steele: The GOP's answer to Sen Burris. . .

Palin / Steele 2012

To quote Berke Breathed:
"This time, why not the worst?"

FWIW, WBAL is not raising questions "today." Look again at their story; it's dated last Thursday. And since then, nothing about this has appeared in any conventional media.

Steel: A strong metallic substance; capable of withstanding high stress and pressure.

Steele: A generic brand of baby food; very little nutritional value, but high in corn syrup and MSG.

Steele's selection as RNC chair is consistent with the most basic core value of the Republicant party. Well connected morons fail their way to the top by mindlessly blurting out talking points provided by Bill Kristol, Mat Drudge, and Rush Limbaugh. So. what's the problem?

In all fairness, the RNC chairman vote came down to Steele vs Katon Dawson and his whites-only club. Steele is relatively moderate (for a republican) but hey, there's a reason he didn't win in Maryland in 06.

It's very relieving to see GOP managerial and intellectual incompetence limited to destroying its own party organs, rather than destroying the nation and the world at large.

There was a time long ago when I disagreed with Republicans, but at least gave them credit for a high degree of functional competence. Like I said, that was a long time ago.

When Republicans bitch about affirmative-action, they're talking about Michael Steele. His rise in the GOP is exclusively tied to being a black face in a party that's starting to get a bit more sensitive to the way they look to the rest of the country. But since any African-American, even conserative ones, with any self-respect can't stand to be directly involved with the Republican Party, they're left with losers like Steele.

I mean, J.C. Watts was probably in line for a VP nomination some day and EVEN HE couldn't stand to take part in GOP electoral politics any more.

Mike

J.C. Watts never became a Republican because of philosophy. His father had been involved with Democratic politics for years. When, Watts came back to Oklahoma from playing in Canada, he wanted to run for some minor office. He went to the Democratic Party for support. For some reason, they wouldn't provide any. When the RepuGs heard about this, they offered support. So, JC ran as a Republican. He became their poster boy in Oklahoma politics.

"Question: Someone told me that the average Limbaugh fan has a third grade education."

Say! How about a new game show: Are You Smarter Than a Ditto Head?

Nyuk! Nyuk!

Steele is teh pitiful. Note also, the ReRushlickin's are poised to indulge and be nabbed for "affirmative action" grumbling. Some will say, Steele was only chosen because he's black, then outrage from the handful of black Repugs (heh), making further trouble for minority outreach. But hey, of course dump Steele! Rush Loombowel is already the "de facto" (in effect) leader of the Republican Party, why not just formalize it an make their pwner the RNC Chair? Then no more worry about apologizing to an entertainter, the orotund oracular obfuscator be da boss man fo real! That would be even "better" wouldn't it?

What really interesting about the WBAL TV story is that they are investigating the 2006 Steele campaign AND the 2006 Ehrlich reelection campaign for these questionable payments.

Bob and Kendal Ehrlich now work for rabidly right wing WBAL radio.

I guess they really do try to keep their TV and radio divisions separate.

Don't feel sorry for them and don't be embarrassed. If this was happening to our party, they would be trying to push us over the cliff and then kick us when we hit the canyon floor and were unconscious. They are thugs and they are anti-american and it is becoming more readily apparent all the time. Let them be seen for what they are, a party with no good ideas whatsoever. They have acted criminally towards our nation and the world. They believe in people like Rush Limbaugh. They don't have an instinct for kindness. They have brought this on themselves and need to be held accountable. Enjoy the show, but don't touch them...they could get their taint on you if you come into too close contact.

In a way perhaps the implosion we're seeing within the Republican party was inevitable. The increasing tolerance of incompetence among its leaders has certainly wreaked havoc among society at large but has also been quietly rotting out the center of the party. If we're lucky the dry rot goes pretty deep and takes a while to dig out.

As to the education level of the average Rush listener? Can we say brain drain? The party certainly seems to have suffered one.

Amidst the discussion of 'was Steele picked because he is black,' it occurred to me that this could make for an interesting scenario if they decide to let him go. I wonder if there will be cries of 'racism' if the RNC lets Steele go?

"If his implosion continues, RNC members are likely to call a special session to dump him for an effective chairman."

Like who, for instance?

Adapted from the screenplay of “A Fish Called Wanda�:

[Limbaugh dangles Steele out a window]

Steele: All right, all right, I apologise.
Limbaugh: You’re really sorry.
Steele: I’m really really sorry, I apologise unreservedly.
Limbaugh: You take it back.
Steele: I do, I offer a complete and utter retraction. The imputation was totally without basis in fact, and was in no way fair comment, and was motivated purely by malice, and I deeply regret any distress that my comments may have caused you, or your family, and I hereby undertake not to repeat any such slander at any time in the future.
Limbaugh: OK.

What's interesting is that the Republicans were positively salivating over the thought of Dean taking over the DNC, chortling with glee over his occasional gaffes, the "Dean scream," his "extreme liberal" views, and the like. I wonder if they still feel that way?