GOP Strategist Roger Stone: Steele's GQ Interview "One More Nail In The Coffin"
I just spoke with Republican political strategist Roger Stone, and he predicted that Michael Steele's latest foul-up over abortion and gays could cost him dearly.
"Well, it's just one more nail in the coffin," said Stone, after I read the relevant quotes to him. "He just doesn't seem to understand his role as party chairman, which is not to criticize any wing of the party. I mean, three weeks ago he was offending moderates, now he's offending conservatives. He shouldn't be offending Rush Limbaugh or Arlen Specter."
"I'm not sure why the chairman has to opine on abortion at all," Stone added. "I mean, we have a platform, just refer to it."
Stone has also told me that the anti-Steele feelings among Republicans would have been there no matter what -- but Steele has badly mismanaged it: "The reason he has a problem, and the reason this hasn't been squelched, is that his maiden voyage hasn't been successful. He keeps putting his foot in his mouth."
Stone has heard the name of Saul Anuzis, the former Michigan GOP chairman who also ran in the RNC race, circulating as a possible new chairman. "I've monitored this pretty closely. I think Saul is on the move as well," said Stone. "It wouldn't be surprising if all the guys who had run had their knives out."
In an e-mail to TPM, Anuzis strongly denied that he is in any way not supportive of Steele, or that he would be a candidate in any new election. "A few folks are trying to spin some trouble," said Anuzis. "We're moving ahead."
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Dead man walking
March 12, 2009 1:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Roger 'No Fat Chicks' Stone -- almost-living proof you can't do anything to get shunned by Republicans, except be a Democrat. I wonder what his slut wife is up to these days?
March 12, 2009 1:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have to admit it: I am chock full of schadenfreude at the Republicans' quandary.
I can't decide which would be more damaging for the Republicans: Michael Steele staying, with his financial management abilities starting to get a second look, or, Michael Steele leaving, and the Republicans having to answer why the party just ditched the first African American head of the RNC.
March 12, 2009 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
It would be magnified if Steele was replaced by Dawson, but even the GOP realizes that.
Anuzis would be the anti-Steele in that he's competent, staunch Republican and behind-the-scenes.
March 12, 2009 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's going to be magnified no matter who the replacement is, unless the replacement is Kenneth Blackwell.
Sure, Katon Dawson's past would be grist for a few days, but since the replacement is going to be white, the coverage will be "The RNC's first African American chairman was replaced by fill-in-the-blank generic middle-aged or old white guy".
March 12, 2009 1:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't forget the inestimable Alan Keyes . . .
March 12, 2009 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have to admit it: I am chock full of schadenfreude at the Republicans' quandary.
Same here. I am loving every minute of this. Couldn't happen to a more deserving party.
March 12, 2009 3:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Like the economy, the GOP is in serious trouble. Its base is shrinking, its older members are dying off as a new younger, free-thinking generation of voter is joining the political fray, and they're quickly becoming obsolete. Here is a GREAT article on the topic and the future of Michael Steele:
FROM THE ARTICLE: The Great GOP Meltdown
http://okwassup.blogspot.com
FULL ARTICLE: http://okwassup.blogspot.com
March 12, 2009 1:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Roger Stone... am I correct in remembering that this is the classy guy who started an anti-Hillary Clinton organization with some name whose initials were "C.U.N.T."?
March 12, 2009 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, a little googling shows I am correct. Stone started the anti-Hillary Clinton group named Citizens United Not Timid.
March 12, 2009 1:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good memory, I forgot about that. He hasn't been a legitimate "republican strategist" since nixon. Calling him a "republican strategist" is like calling lush a "republican strategist." He's in it for cash and notoriety and that's it.
March 12, 2009 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's starting to look like a "high-tech lynching." Paging Clarence Thomas ...
March 12, 2009 4:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Michael Steele is trying to change too much, too soon, for a party that just does not want to change. It wants to remain the party of right wing conservatives, christian coalition, no to gays, no to freedom of choice, silent segregation, etc. What they don't want is some black man coming in trying to turn them into the "hip-hop" party (as he's said he wants to do) and making them new when they wish to remain old. He's not strong enough to go up against the powerful forces of the GOP and will fail for sure. I predict he will resign (buzz word for get fired) relatively soon!
CHECK OUT: THE GREAT GOP MELTDOWN
http://okwassup.blogspot.com
.
March 12, 2009 4:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Roger Stone has also been linked to the outing of Eliot Spitzer's affinity for call girls. He is a dirty trickster - not a genuine consultant.
March 12, 2009 6:31 PM | Reply | Permalink