Steele's Ex-Rivals Step Up Criticism
GOP criticism of Michael Steele is now intensifying, with his former rival for the chairmanship now going on the record in badmouthing his performance.
"I have a very different management philosophy and style," said Katon Dawson, the South Carolina party chairman who Steele defeated by a 91-77 vote in late January, in an interview with the Politico. Dawson also had this to say about Steele's recent transfer of a million dollars each to the NRCC and NRSC: "It wouldn't have taken me four weeks to give them the money."
It should also be noted that Ada Fisher, the RNC member who has called for Steele's resignation, was a Dawson-supporter during the leadership race.
Another former Steele rival, who wished to remain nameless, complained that Steele hasn't filled key staff positions yet. No Republicans said Steele is actually in serious danger right now, but the temperature does seem to be going up.
Steele adviser Curt Anderson fired back: "They didn't win and they're not happy about it. They've been waiting for him to stumble and now they're teeing off."
And sure enough, Steele did in fact stumble. Repeatedly.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Pass the popcorn.
March 6, 2009 9:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
And "the bling".
http://www.governmentalityblog.com/my_weblog/2009/03/gop-to-michael-steele-beat-it.html
March 6, 2009 9:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wasn't Dawson the one who belonged to a whites only club?
March 6, 2009 9:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, like, what, 80% of the southern old white guy republican leadership. That's a badge of honor for them.
March 6, 2009 9:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
And said that his political awakening came when his school was desegregated (and he was pissed about it).
March 6, 2009 9:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Steele adviser Curt Anderson fired back: "They didn't win and they're not happy about it. They've been waiting for him to stumble and now they're teeing off."
An apt description of the whole Republican party.
March 6, 2009 9:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
You mean they are all rich golfers? ;)
March 6, 2009 10:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
That are members of whites only country clubs.
March 6, 2009 10:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not rich golfers...Bitch sulphurs!
March 6, 2009 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
That too. =)
March 6, 2009 11:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
I guess it's official: the Circular Firing Squad has commenced action!
March 6, 2009 10:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
If Steele had just obeyed the old adage (Lincoln quote?): "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."
And he just keeps on talking.....
March 6, 2009 10:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
The only thing missing from this entertaining farce is a big red nose, balloon pants, a fright wig, and huge clown shoes for MC Steele. Lord, this is fun!
March 6, 2009 10:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
DAWSON DAWSON!
March 6, 2009 11:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Steele appears determined to prove to everyone that he hates working for a living, and would rather mouth off and get his face everywhere, as if that itself is the work he's supposed to be doing. The GOP reminds me of children who knowingly tell lies to each other and pretend to believe each other, in the name of fun and solidarity. "Woah, you saw a monster? Wow!" "We've got to take this monster business seriously."
March 6, 2009 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Eric,
How can Steele get to host on a national talk radio show like on Bill Benett this AM since he is head of the RNC? Do they have to pay for that time? He sounded so horrible. I don't know if they elected Steele to try to get more minorities into the Republican fold or to make moderate white republicans feel more comfortable about where their party is circa 2009. While I am not a minority, every minority I know despises the Micheal Steele's of the world so I think it makes more sense for Republicans to have a black RNC leader to reassure moderate whites that they are not a racist party than it would have to elect Steele to bring in minorities. I think Michael Steele will have a harder time making in roads in minority communities that a white Republican would. A minority can sense Steele's phoniness from miles away.
March 6, 2009 12:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's such a shame...all those RNC contenders seemed like such nice people. Of course, I was pulling for that nice Mr. Dawson, because he's white, and that still matters here in SC.
"Oh, can't we all just get along?" Oh, wait...that was from that black man who caused all those terrible riots when he interfered with the nice policeman's nightstick. Nevermind...
March 6, 2009 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good ... I hate Hip-hop.
March 6, 2009 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wonder if Michelle Bachman still thinks he's the man?
March 6, 2009 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
No. She thinks he is Da man.
March 6, 2009 4:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dawson, one of his hangers-on, or the assistant treasurer of the Pigscraw County Republican Party doubles the entertainment value of the situation by making an affirmative action hire crack in 5..4..3..2..
March 6, 2009 4:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
The only one who seems to be learning anything from all this is Sarah Palin. She seems to be hiding beneath the ice for the time being.
March 6, 2009 4:33 PM | Reply | Permalink