In a meeting with Michael Steele, top Congressional Republicans told the national GOP chair to back off from having the RNC roll out policy initiatives, due to the potential of stepping on the elected officials' prerogatives.
As the Politico reports:
And at one point, Steele, a Washington native, said that his upbringing in the "streets" made him a fighter and that he was determined to continue fighting and aggressively defending the party, according to two people familiar with the account.
Senate GOP Conference chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) said that the two sides came to an understanding. "We are elected to set the policy," said Alexander. "But in my view, the national committee's job is to create the environment in which Republicans can be elected to set policy. Michael Steele said that was exactly his point of view, so I think we see eye to eye on it."

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Zell
October 5, 2009 10:27 AM
So I'm not as sure as Senator Alexander seems to be that he and Michael Steele "see eye to eye" on this. In fact, I'd bet money against it.
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ru4862
October 5, 2009 10:31 AM
GOP translation: Know your place, BOY!!!!!
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fitley
October 5, 2009 3:59 PM in reply to ru4862
I guess his original strategy is not working, check this:
Newly elected Republican National Committee Chairman Michael S. Steele plans an “off the hook” public relations offensive to attract younger voters, especially blacks and Hispanics, by applying the party's principles to “urban-suburban hip-hop settings.”
The RNC's first black chairman will “surprise everyone” when updating the party's image using the Internet and advertisements on radio, on television and in print, he told The Washington Times.
Having been elected to the job that the Bush White House and its political guru, Karl Rove, once denied him, Mr. Steele is running the show his way. To those who claimed he can't make the trains run on time, he has this message: “Stuff it.”
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neesy08
October 5, 2009 10:34 AM
yessa massa alexander. whatever you say massa alexander
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DanF
October 5, 2009 11:01 AM
Huh ... But according to this John Hopkins interview:
What a maroon.
(http://www.jhu.edu/jhumag/0405web/steele.html)
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Pete Bilderback
October 5, 2009 11:15 AM
I thought it was Steele's time in the Glee Club and attendance at the school of hard knocks (aka Johns Hopkins University) that made him a fighter.
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traitorjoe
October 5, 2009 11:21 AM
The only things Steele fought for were acceptance by rich white folks, corporate lobbying money and a few extra rounds of golf at the country club.
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Tom65
October 5, 2009 11:34 AM
Wait, the GOP has "policy initiatives"? Since when?
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johnmccsf
October 5, 2009 11:54 AM
Yes please leave the policy to Michelle and DeMint
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GTFOOH
October 5, 2009 3:07 PM
A little queasy in the hezzie Mike?
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Leftflank
October 5, 2009 3:07 PM
Michael's policy is Pro-against & anti-everything, what's the problem?
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Joseph Chez
October 5, 2009 4:54 PM
Michael Steele is taking his job too seriously. He was only suppose to be the "black poster individual" for the Republican Party. I've also noticed that a large number of Republican strategist appearing on TV are also black. I recognize that color of one's skin does not dictate party affilitation, however, these guys truly believe there is no disparity in social, philosophical or political ideas between the two parties. It's a non-sequitur.
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