Steele Keeps Door Open For RNC to Abandon Specter In Primary
In an interview today on Morning Joe, Michael Steele seemed to be trying to back off of his prior statements about how Arlen Specter could face a primary challenge for supporting the stimulus bill -- but in the process, he only ended up saying that the RNC might not support Specter:
See more at MSNBC.com.
Pat Buchanan pressed Steele to affirm that he would welcome a primary challenge. "Of course, the Senator's gonna have to account to the primary voters," Steele said. "He's gonna have to go through that gauntlet first and stand before those voters, and address a core question."
Steele said that the GOP "lost its mind" over the last few years on spending and small government, and that the stimulus was "a core principled vote" on Republican ideas about government and the free market.
Thus, Steele concluded: "So if the primary voters there have some strong voice, and certainly the state party of Pennsylvania does not put in place an incumbent protection, then the RNC will honor that."
As we've previously reported, Steele has gone back and forth on this one, after he first said on the Neil Cavuto show that pro-stimulus Republicans could be denied support. He then swung away from that, telling TPM that the decision is up to the state parties, rather taking a single position on it as the national chairman. And now he's heading back somewhat to the anti-Specter position, emphasizing on a morning show all the ways Specter betrayed core Republican ideas.
Josh
Elana
Matt
Eric
Does Bobby Jindal have a cousin in PA?
February 25, 2009 9:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Beautiful, this is a no-lose for us. If Spector emerges bloodied but victorious he will be a weakened general election candidate. If he's beaten by a wingnut, any plausible Democratic candidate will win in a walk. Keep that Gooper civil war going, and pass the popcorn!
February 25, 2009 9:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Problem is, if Spector keeps supporting Obama, we need to find a way to support him or maybe Obama can offer him a position in his adminstration.
February 25, 2009 9:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Waste no tears on Specter. A Democrat in that seat will support Obama a hell of a lot better.
Specter doesn't avoid going completely wingnutty because he has any integrity (he's demonstrated many times that he has none), but because he knows it would make him unelectable in Pennsylvania.
February 25, 2009 10:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
To the tune of: Weep no more my Lady:
♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ Waste no tears on Specter ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫
February 25, 2009 10:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
I will bet that specter, snowe and collins become democrats at this rate. What do they have to lose? They are being frozen out by the republican party for being, ummm, MODERATE. The dems would accept them with open arms.
February 25, 2009 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Or independents, like Bernie Sanders.
This is just amazing to watch. These clowns seriously think the GOP's problem is that they're not extreme enough. I always knew they were crazy, but I didn't think they were this stupid.
February 25, 2009 10:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
I was going to say, "uh, Mr. Steele does realize that Pennsylvania isn't the same as Alabama, right?"
February 25, 2009 10:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think the "leadership" may be insane. They really are living in an alternate reality.
February 25, 2009 10:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
I keep waiting for them to wake up and realize that the reason they're drowning is the "base" that they keep holding onto isn't a life preserver but an anchor.
February 25, 2009 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
I thought that as well. I am very surprised what has happened concerning the stimulus. I thought the last election would have woken them up and it didn't obviously. If getting hammered so bad in traditionally red states doesn't tell you you have a problem, nothing will. I guess we'll see what happens; however, at this rate I don't think that they will ever wake up.
Remember in 06, the excuse was the corrupt republicans was why they lost and they allegedly lost their conservative principles. What???? No it wasn't the intractible war or the exploding deficits or the katrina disaster??? Nah, it was a guy chasing pages that caused them to lose. Totally delusional.
In 08, it was mcbush's fault. He was their best shot and he got slaughtered. Part of the reason for the slaughter was rambo and mcbush spewing the party line. I don't think it was just mcbush's fault. It wasn't the messenger that was the problem, it was the message.
Let's see what the excuse is in 2010.
February 25, 2009 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
The core of the GOP is just wacko...they'll never see it. Most of them are from wacko districts, so they've got nothing to worry about. What surprises me is the hold the core has on the others. Do you mean to tell me that not one House Republican wanted to vote for the stimulus bill? How deep do they have to sink before some of the saner ones let go of the anchor?
February 25, 2009 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
The House is much more partisan. You have to run for re-election every 2 years, and you don't want to have to waste money on a primary challenge because your party's leaders thought you betrayed them. So unless you're absolutely sure your constituents are going to be heavily in your corner, you won't dare go against party leadership.
February 25, 2009 1:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jeffords is a better analogy
Incidentally, I see a lot of parallels between Jeffords and Snowe. Theres no rational reason Jeffords was ever a Republican, just as theres not rational reason Snowe is now. In both cases, they've been/are more liberal than many of the Senate democrats (Jeffords much more so than Snowe, but Snowe is still more liberal than Pryor, Lincoln, Landrieu and Ben Nelson (at a minimum, and on an issue to issue basis with Shaheen, Casey, Webb, and Warner by my reckoning))
Also, Spector was once a Democrat. It may be time for him to come home.
February 25, 2009 11:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not really excited by the idea of acquiring two new Blue Dogs from states that are capable of sending us better Democrats.
February 25, 2009 11:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
I am. Three more dems right now would be great. No election, just three more votes. Snowe and collins aren't up for a long time. Specter is up in 2010, but I would rather have the votes now, when we need them.
February 25, 2009 11:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know that I agree with your arithmetic. Just because they switch caucuses, you think they would suddenly be a lock on all our issues? They obviously aren't being whipped much by the GOP, and they appear to have a better whipping operation than we. Why would you think this would change anything?
February 25, 2009 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
I respect what you are saying. Logically it makes nothing but sense. You seem to have nailed it, totally.
But in reality I think it's different. They'd be pro-gun, and if they weren't, they wouldn't be representing their constituents. (I loathe guns by the way, utterly.) Apart from guns, I think they'd be with the Good Guys. And I'd love to have 'em around. Jeffords jumped on a lot of positions when he became independent. That really got to me personally, how these guys can adopt radically new "philosophies" almost instantaneously. I think Jeffords offers an informative example of what kind of reversals they're capable of.
February 25, 2009 9:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
If the GOP lost their way on the principles of spending and small government, when they were in the majority. Isn't it best then, that they remain a minority party, preferably a minuscule one?
February 25, 2009 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am not crying for Spector. I am advocating for supporting those who support our President, regardless of party affiliation.
Imagine Spector repeatedly advocating for Obama and him losing his seat as a result.
February 25, 2009 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Lincoln Chaffee was a victim of the Republican Murder-Suicide strategy which lead to the Democrats getting a majority in the Senate in 2003.
Why should we support Specter, who only supported the Stim because PA was a big win for Obama...(no matter how much money McCain threw there.)?
We are under no obligation to support Republicans can be only relied upon to be as self serving as Arlen.
You don't support people because they are unreliable stooges.
It is in the interest of Obama to have a larger Democratic majority, period.
It is just too bad we can't get another try at Susan Collins sooner than in six years.
February 25, 2009 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's history. If he commits political suicide to help Obama and the country, we should try help him back.
February 25, 2009 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
then you go move to PA, register as Republican and vote for him in the primary and give him money.
just don't expect too many of "us" to join you in the quest to save Arlen.
If we can pick up PA because the Republicans want to give it to us, I will take it.
February 25, 2009 12:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
And because if he knows he has our backing he will do whatever he can to help Obama.
February 25, 2009 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
You serious?
First of all, Spector has cancer and might not even run in 2010.
Second, anyone who relies on Arlen for anything, seeing he usually folds like a cheap suit...deserves what they get when he back peddles on his commitments.
He voted for the Stim package because it was in his interest...to do otherwise would hurt him in his state.
Putting a reliable prochoice Democrat in his seat would be the ideal here.
And most importantly if Steele wants to contribute to the marginalization of the Republican Party...as well as erode an already weak position in federal elected officials, that is aces with me.
February 25, 2009 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I said if ... if he supports Obama, if he commits political suicide.
February 25, 2009 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not so sure your positions are exclusive. I think I agree with both of you. I think Specter is totally self-interested, and walks such a fine line simply because he has nowhere else to go in PA. As such, I think it would be a mistake to let him into the party and keep his seat after 2010. On the other hand, he's also very valuable politically until then, so I'm not opposed to helping him out in some other way. I think the promise of a cabinet appointment would be about perfect. In private, just tell him if he supports the Obama agenda and ends up losing the next race he'll have a great job in the administration. But it's important that he run, and run as a Republican. Preferably to get beaten by a crazy person in the primary. What we really don't want is him becoming an independent and leading us into a three-way race where the left and middle will split and some crazy could actually win.
February 25, 2009 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
no we don't. i live in PA and the only reas0n specter is supporting Obama for the time being is he knows he needs conservative democrats and unions to win the state.
the minute he's re-elected, he'll go back to obstruction. the sooner Specter's gone the better.
February 25, 2009 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're supposed to keep party discipline behind the scenes. This is all going to backfire, and backfire spectacularly.
February 25, 2009 9:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, the fireworks will be an awesome sight in 2010. Better than the 4th of july.
February 25, 2009 10:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
I just love all that Steele comedy!
February 25, 2009 9:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
YO YO YO! THIS IS URBAN-SUBURBAN HIP-HOPPINEST NEWS!!!! FOR MC ARLEN SPECTER!!
February 25, 2009 10:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
MC reckin'ball Steele spinnin' some big sound! When the RB is workin' the RNC chair, elephant brothas be kickin' each otha all up and down they big white ass. RB keep workin' magic and we all be dancin' to tha tragic sound of these mothafuckas goin' down.
February 25, 2009 10:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
Michael, that's Arlen over there. Let's you and him fight.
February 25, 2009 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Michael Steele is the not ready for prime time politician.
February 25, 2009 10:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Co-sign.
Steele is proving to be the fastest flame out on record. The repugs mistook brashness and grandstanding for boldness and fresh thinking. Now, they've got this pimptastic right wing vaudeville freak show posing as a party leader. Good luck, suckas!
February 25, 2009 11:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
No, they mistook color for content. The Dems won with a black guy? Okay, we've got a black guy. We'll put him out front as the leader of our party. And hey, we've got a brown guy in Louisiana. Let's trot him out there too. See, we've got a big tent. Just like the circus. Hey, we've got lots of clowns too. People like circuses.
February 25, 2009 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Honestly, I think most Republicans knew Steele was going to be worthless and they would have preferred somebody else. The problem is that he nominated himself. And because of that they had a choice to make that was extremely troublesome: vote for the guy who once belonged to an all-white country club, or vote for Michael Steele.
February 25, 2009 2:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly what I meant by token below. It just display the utter superficiality of the republican party.
February 25, 2009 4:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I LOVE that some people actually thought Steele was going to be a voice of moderation and change in the Republican Party...talk about naive. Take, for instance, Log Cabin Republicans, who are now upset because *GASP!* it turns out Republicans STILL hate them!:
http://www.thepersonalispolitical.com/2009/02/log-cabin-republicans-seriously-wtf.html
WTF is wrong with these people? Seriously?
February 25, 2009 10:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Arlen just doesn't fit into the "urban-suburban hip-hop settings" image of the new GOP.
February 25, 2009 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Spector will be around long after Steele has been investigated, indicted and taken away to the Big House. I don't think Steele understands, Democrats and Republicans alike will support Specter in his home state.
February 25, 2009 11:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
I will give Steele less than 90 days and he will be out. You don't come into a position as the new person on the block and isolate your very powful party leaders, he is a fool. Oh by the way, what about the crazy right wing nuts of the party who he would like to transform into the hip-hop clan of the year---I don't think they are ready to put on the low waist pants and listen to rap not at 60 and 80 years old. When will Steele be fitted with his KKK white robe? You have to have one of those in your "closet" to be in the Republican party, you know.
February 25, 2009 11:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Michael Steele is a token, thrown to the public because Republicans thought a token would do.
February 25, 2009 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, like rambo and jindal. The problem is that the platform is still the same, so the public sees bonehead and turkeyman when they talk. Their gender and skin color does not make a viable party platform. It really is pathetic and crass and sexist and racist what the republican party is stooping to to fill the pockets of the old white guys. Pathetic.
February 25, 2009 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
A Repug Circular Firing Squad - "I'm Lovin' It!"
February 25, 2009 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
If a more conservative Republican were to win the primary in Pennsylvania it would only make it easier to elect a Democrat!
February 26, 2009 9:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
The moderate GOP senators are not the only ones threatened by the far-right Republicans; Steele, too, was excoriated by a conservative GOP aide for backing the DC voting rights bill (though it would give a counterbalancing electoral vote to Utah). The aide said, "You just cannot haphazardly call for primary challenges for your moderate wing one day and follow it with selling your base down the river the next. Somebody needs to tell him to relax, settle into the job and realize that nobody cares what the RNC chairman thinks about anything other than winning elections."
This "selling down the river" image is an old reference for selling non-compliant slaves to states deeper in the south, down the Mississippi. This is a remarkable image to use, especially in reaction to an African-American nominal head of the Republican party, at a time when the GOP is trying to present itself as more inclusive.
February 27, 2009 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink