Fundraising

RNC Touts Grassroots Cash: Raised $8.7M, Spent $7.9M In October

Christina Bellantoni | November 19, 2009, 8:58AM

RNC Chair Michael Steele

The Republican National Committee announced this morning they raised $8.79 million in October, an off-election year record.

The haul comes after the party captured two governorships and as they are attempting to make gains in 2010.

The RNC said they had $11.2 million cash on hand and no debt. Last month they reported $18.9 million cash on hand, so doing the math, they spent $7.9 million in October.

The party says they "averaged 2,543 new donors per day in October and had an average contribution of $32," with more than 1 million active donors by the end of the month.

"As of November 11th, the RNC has already broken its own record of new donors in an off year, with 305,000 new donors so far in 2009," the party said in a release.

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Health Care

Busted! GOP Drops Abortion Coverage For RNC Employees

Brian Beutler | November 13, 2009, 10:15AM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

Faced with the charge of hypocrisy for providing employees health insurance that covers abortion, the Republican National Committee has moved to strike the benefit from their policy.

"Money from our loyal donors should not be used for this purpose," said chairman Michael Steele. "I don't know why this policy existed in the past, but it will not exist under my administration. Consider this issue settled."

With one exception--Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ) who voted 'present'--House Republicans voted unanimously for an amendment to health care legislation that forbids women who receive government insurance subsidies from buying policies that cover abortion.

Of course, given the definition of "insurance," the RNC can only really escape the sin of financing abortions by buying insurance from a company that has a blanket policy against covering abortions.

Health Care

RNC Adds Nelson To 'Flip-Flop' Campaign

Christina Bellantoni | November 12, 2009, 2:16PM

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE)

Even though it's cold outside, flip-flops are back in season.

As Evan reported earlier this week, the RNC is exploiting tensions within the Democratic party to compare wavering senators with Sen. John Kerry, using his "I voted for it before I voted against it" video.

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) is the next target.

Mike Steele:

"Ben Nelson has taken part in the classic Potomac two-step of telling his constituents one thing in Nebraska and doing another thing back in Washington, D.C. Ben Nelson's double-speak has not gone unnoticed by voters in Nebraska and now it looks like Nelson may take this double-speak on health care reform one step further by voting for government-run health care before voting against it. Politicians cannot have it both ways - just ask John Kerry. Nebraskans can spot a phony politician when they see one and they know that any vote to move the Democrats' health care bill forward is a vote for a government-run health care experiment."

Ad after the jump.

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Joseph Cao

Cao To Steele: Come And Get Me -- Just Remember You Need My District

Versha Sharma | November 8, 2009, 1:26PM

Rep. Joseph Cao (R-LA)

Rep. Joseph Cao (R-LA), the lone GOP vote for the House health reform bill that passed late last night, has responded to RNC Chairman Michael Steele's warnings about stepping outside of party lines. (WATCH Steele: "We'll come after you.")

Cao told CNN that Steele retains "the right to come after those members who do not conform to party lines, but I would hope that he would work with us in order to adjust to the needs of the district and to hold a seat that the Republican party would need." He represents the second congressional district of Louisiana, a solidly Democratic district that includes New Orleans. Cao said earlier today that he put the needs of his district over what was popular with his own party.

Cao's opponent was former Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA), who was under indictment on corruption charges at the time of the election, widely seen as the sole reason the Republican was able to triumph in this specific district. His unique victory was celebrated by Steele and other GOP leaders, a fact which the young lawmaker is not letting party leadership soon forget.

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GOP

RNC Distributes 'Obama Agenda' Push Poll To Raise Money

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 6, 2009, 4:38PM

Republican Party Logo

The RNC recently sent out a fundraising letter that includes a "survey" about President Obama's "agenda" that the Washington Post is calling a dishonest push poll.

"Are you in favor of reinstituting the military draft, as Democrats in Congress have proposed?" one question on the 15-question survey reads.

TPM obtained a copy of "2009 Obama Agenda Survey" sent to one Kansas voter. Read it here.

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Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | November 6, 2009, 2:18PM

DNC Chairman Tim Kaine and RNC Chairman Michael Steele

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: RNC chairman Michael Steele, DNC chairman Tim Kaine

• CBS, Face The Nation: Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX), Republican political consultant Ed Rollins, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell (R-VA).

• Fox News Sunday: Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell (R-VA), Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), former New York Times reporter Jayson Blair, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT).

• NBC, Meet The Press: Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS), Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA).

Michael Steele

Steele: 'GOP Renaissance Has Begun'...And I Helped

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 4, 2009, 11:07AM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

RNC chair Michael Steele bounded up to the podium at his post-election press conference at Republican Party HQ in Washington this morning.

"How's everyone feeling?" he said with a big grin. When the two dozen or so bleary eyed reporters in the audience failed to respond to the question, his grin grew even larger. "That good, huh?"

For the next 30 minutes, Steele raved on about his party's victories last night -- and on his role in making them happen.

"The GOP renaissance has begun," he said, before borrowing a line from President Obama's campaign last year. "This election was not about 'the change we need.' It's about the change the American people want."

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Michael Steele

Steele To Meet The Press Tomorrow

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 3, 2009, 10:52PM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

After hopping a plane to New Jersey earlier this evening as returns began to show a victory for Republican governor-elect Chris Christie, RNC chair Michael Steele will head back to the airport to fly back to to D.C. and gloat to the press about his party's dual wins in both New Jersey and Virginia.

Steele will host a 10 a.m. press conference at RNC headquarters in Washington, where he'll talk about tonight's victories (and maybe a defeat, too -- as of this post, the Democratic nominee is still leading in NY-23). The victory lap comes less than a year after Steele began his turbulent tenure as the head of the Republican party, and it's fair to say it will be the first objectively great day for Republicans since President Obama's victory last November. Expect to see a lot of smiles from a lot of tired Republican operatives who won't be getting much sleep tonight.

VA-GOV

Steele: GOP Sweep In Virginia 'Blow' To Obama

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 8:14PM

Candidate For Governor Bob McDonnell (R-VA)

RNC Chairman Mike Steele is happy about Bob McDonnell's win in Virginia, and sends over a statement regarding the expected sweep from the GOP ticket.

Steele takes a whack at Obama:

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NY-23

RNC Backs Hoffman In NY-23 Shakeup

Christina Bellantoni | October 31, 2009, 1:35PM

NY-23 Candidates Doug Hoffman (Conservative) and Bill Owens (D)

The Republican National Committee announced it will immediately back Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman following GOP candidate Dede Scozzafava's campaign suspension in the special election in New York's 23rd Congressional district.

Here is Chairman Mike Steele's statement.

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GOP

Michael Steele's '09 State Of The GOP Report: 'We Are Turning An Important Corner'

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 30, 2009, 2:47PM

GOP Logo, GOP Chairman Michael Steele

Michael Steele told Republican party leaders across the country today that one year after voters handed both houses of Congress and the White House to the Democrats, the GOP is poised to regain prominence on the political landscape.

In his "2009 Political Update," an email sent to the party's list of activists, Steele says the summer's town hall meetings and next week's elections in New Jersey in Virginia prove his first year at the helm of the GOP has been a success. He writes,

"Just one year ago, many political pundits had written the epitaph of the Republican Party. ... Today, Republicans have begun to reestablish the trust of voters on a majority of issues; and, I am proud to say are turning an important corner and are moving forward with strength."

Inside the document, Steele suggests are signs that the GOP still has a few corners to turn before it's back to the ideological unanimity found during its years in absolute power over D.C..

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Michael Steele

Steele Calls For Investigation Of White House Fundraising

Eric Kleefeld | October 28, 2009, 10:13AM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

The Republican National Committee is up in arms over a Washington Times report that the Obama administration is allegedly using access to the White House as a fundraising tool for the Democratic National Committee, and the RNC is now calling for an investigation.

"The seriousness of this issue requires an immediate investigation looking into the degree and details of fundraising efforts between the White House and DNC, whether there was any quid pro quo offered to donors, and the names of White House officials who were involved in such activities," RNC chairman Michael Steele said in a statement.

VA-GOV

Steele Calls Out DNC For Its Commitment To Deeds

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 27, 2009, 2:28PM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

RNC Chair Michael Steele looked pretty confident when asked talking about Virgina in an interview on Fox News this morning. He's got good reason to smile: a week before voters go to the polls to choose a new governor, GOP nominee Bob McDonnell is dominating the polls with double-digit leads.

Steele seemed so sure of a GOP win in Virginia he was already taking credit for his part in it. The RNC has spent more than $8 million on McDonnell this year. The DNC has only offered Deeds a $6 million investment.

"You've got the DNC running ads on YouTube and on Facebook," Steele said. "But we put real resources on the ground."

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VA-GOV

Steele, Webb Fan Out Across VA Today

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 23, 2009, 8:52AM

RNC Chair Michael Steele, Senator Jim Webb (D-VA)

As the clock runs down on the Virginia gubernatorial contest, the cavalcade of stars is in full swing. Today, RNC chair Michael Steele and Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) will both appear in the state to stump for their party's nominee.

Webb will make a stop in Northern Virginia for Creigh Deeds this afternoon. A high turnout in the vote rich, Democratic-leaning region is vitally important for Deeds if he hopes to pull off what polls show would be an upset win over Republican Bob McDonnell.

At the same time, Steele will be kicking of a two stop tour through Virginia's southern coastal region. Steele will stump for McDonnell in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.

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Health Care

DNC Says Michael Steele Is 'Lying' About Health Care Reform

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 22, 2009, 11:31AM

The DNC is targeting RNC Michael Steele's rhetoric on health care reform in a new web video that launched today. Attempting to make good on President Obama's promise, made during his September health care address to Congress, to "call out" claims about health care reform that aren't truethe DNC is claiming Steele is "lying" about the health care reform bills currently the subject of intense negotiations on Capitol Hill.

Michael Steele

Poll: Steele Viewed Favorably By 39% Of Republican Voters, With High Undecideds

Eric Kleefeld | October 20, 2009, 5:08PM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

A new Rasmussen poll finds RNC chairman Michael Steele with only a modest approval rating among Republican primary voters, with a high number of respondents who have no opinion.

The numbers: 39% favorable, 27% favorable, and 35% with no option. A further breakdown shows 11% very favorable and 28% somewhat favorable, to 9% very unfavorable and 18% somewhat unfavorable.

The pollster's analysis also finds that male Republican voters view Steele both more favorably and more unfavorably than women Republicans do, with women having a disproportionately high undecided number of 41%.

Fundraising

RNC Raises $8.7M And Has No Debt

Christina Bellantoni | October 20, 2009, 9:15AM

RNC Chair Michael Steele

The Republican National Committee released September fundraising figures this morning showing the GOP has a strong bank account heading into the election's next month and primed for 2010. Chairman Mike Steele said the money will help the party "ensure victory" next year.

The RNC raised $8.74 million last month and have $18.9 million in the bank. They also have no debt, according to the party.

And in a bit of homage to the way Barack Obama built his campaign machine on the small donor grassroots, the RNC release notes they averaged 2,400 new donors each day, with an average contribution of $36. The number of donors is an off-election year record, the RNC said.

"It goes without saying that we have been working hard to establish a new brand for the RNC," Steele said. "From giving a voice to the frustrations of many Americans over the president's health care experiment, to the launch of our new web platform, our efforts have resulted in record breaking fundraising numbers for September which continues an extremely strong trend for us since February."

Steele added: "It is clear that the Republican message of lower taxes, less spending and common sense health care reform resonates with working families and small businesses alarmed by the course the president and Congressional Democrats have taken. As we move closer to the elections this fall and in 2010, these funds will enable the RNC to provide Republican candidates throughout the country the financial resources needed to help ensure victory on election day."

GOP

Former Steele Tech Adviser On New Homepage: 'Give It 30 Days'

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 15, 2009, 2:33PM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

A former rival of RNC chair Michael Steele and one of the men behind the GOP's new media revolution said it will be a month before the party's new website is ready for prime time.

Saul Anuzis, the former chair of the Michigan GOP, challenged Steele for the RNC chairmanship last year. A central plank of his campaign platform was a new focus on social media and Internet outreach. After he lost the chairmanship, Anuzis became a transition adviser to Steele on transition issues.

"Overall, I think the roll out has been a success," Anuzis said of the relaunch of GOP.com, which has led to days of criticism of Steele from the left. "As with any massive project like this, there were some technical glitches, which is to be expected."

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GOP

GOP.com Changes The Game On 'What Up?'

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 14, 2009, 9:21AM

Overnight, it seems the RNC started tweaking the new GOP.com, which emerged yesterday as something of a fail for Michael Steele.

This morning, Steele's much-derided "What Up?" blog has undergone a name change, one of several changes at the site we'll be tracking throughout the day. Steele's posts can now be found at a chairman's blog called "Change The Game."

The RNC did not respond to questions about the changes this morning.

Late Update: Politco covers yesterday's GOP.com controversy, and catches up with Steele. "Betas are about learning, and I promise that we are learning today," he said. "We never meant for the site to ever be complete. It will never be complete."

GOP

Dems Say New RNC Website Suggests 'True' Future For GOP

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 13, 2009, 11:22AM

GOP.com "Future Leaders" page

The RNC launched a new version of its GOP.com homepage this morning and in a statement, party chair Michael Steele said the homepage was the reflection of his vision for the GOP:

"When I ran for RNC Chairman, I committed to improving the Republican Party's online ability to inform our grassroots supporters and mobilize them behind important issues, while also electing our great candidates. With the new GOP.com that went live today, the RNC will be able to accomplish exactly that."

Just a few hours after the launch, though, Democrats are claiming the site reflects the party's current state more than its future. Flying around Twitter this morning is a link to the new site's "Future GOP leaders" page. Instead of fresh faces, it the page lists "404 Error: This page could not be found."

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Nobel Peace Prize

Van Hollen Condemns Limbaugh, Steele For Agreeing 'With The Taliban And Iran' On Obama's Nobel Prize

Eric Kleefeld | October 9, 2009, 5:41PM

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)

DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) released this statement, making it clear that Democrats will use Republican condemnation of President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize as an issue of the GOP's basic patriotism:

"The outrageous reaction by Rush Limbaugh, RNC Chairman Michael Steele, and others to President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize is the latest sad example of Republicans putting politics before country by rooting for America to fail. House Republicans should immediately condemn these outrageous statements asserting that they are 'on the same side as the Taliban.'

"Rush Limbaugh and his Republican allies may, as Rush Limbaugh said, 'all agree with the Taliban and Iran,' but millions of Americans see the President's winning of the Nobel Peace Prize as an affirmation of our nation's values and it should be celebrated.

"Democrats and Republicans should join President Obama in seeing this award as a call to action against the common economic and security challenges we all share."

Nobel Peace Prize

RNC Response Sets The Tone: What Has Obama Accomplished?

Christina Bellantoni | October 9, 2009, 9:47AM

Mike Steele's statement:

"The real question Americans are asking is, 'What has President Obama actually accomplished?' It is unfortunate that the president's star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights. One thing is certain - President Obama won't be receiving any awards from Americans for job creation, fiscal responsibility, or backing up rhetoric with concrete action."

Michael Steele

GOP Leaders To Steele: Back Off On Policy

Eric Kleefeld | October 5, 2009, 9:46AM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

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."

Michael Steele

RNC Raising Money Off Of Schoolchildren Singing About Obama, Comparing It To Stalin And Kim Jong Il

Eric Kleefeld | September 30, 2009, 4:14PM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

In a new fundraising e-mail sent out by the RNC, chairman Michael Steele attacks the Democrats over the video that has circulated of a small group of schoolchildren singing about President Obama:

In the video, impressionable youngsters at a public school in New Jersey, most of whom are no more than six or seven years old, have been instructed to sing the praises of "Barack Hussein Obama." One song is even set to the tune of The Battle Hymn of the Republic.

This is the type of propaganda you would see in Stalin's Russia or Kim Jong Il's North Korea. I never thought the day would come when I'd see it here in America.

This is the type of fanaticism Republicans are up against as we fight to stop the Obama Democrats' radical leftist transformation of America.

Check out the full e-mail after the jump.

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Joe Wilson

Steele Blasts Resolution Against Wilson: "Democrats Don't Want An Apology. They Want A Side Show"

Eric Kleefeld | September 15, 2009, 9:46AM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

RNC Chairman Michael Steele has released a new statement condemning the House Democrats' upcoming motion of disapproval against Rep. Joe Wilson -- which Steele incorrectly refers to as a censure -- in yet another sign that the Republicans are closing ranks around Wilson:

"In another stunning example of hypocrisy, congressional Democrats are wasting taxpayers' time and resources on a legislative measure to censure Congressman Joe Wilson so they don't have to talk about their exceedingly unpopular health care plan. Without question, Joe Wilson made a terrible error in judgment and has wasted no time in extending a personal apology to the president. The president has accepted his apology.

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Michael Steele

Steele: "Bad Form" For Obama To Invoke Kennedy At Last Night's Speech

Eric Kleefeld | September 10, 2009, 4:31PM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

RNC Chairman Michael Steele told the Washington Times that it was "bad form" for President Obama to talk about a letter he received from the late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), at last night's speech to Congress.

"I'm sorry, but I just felt a bit unnerved by it, in the sense he just passed," said Steele.

"His wife was still clearly emotional," Steele added. "I just thought that was bad form. We all understand and appreciate the role Sen. Kennedy has played in this debate and the passion he brought to health care. I just thought that was a little bit much for me, so soon after his death, using that as a political tool."

Steele seems to be under the impression that this was all a surprise to Vicki Kennedy -- that it was some kind of coincidence that she'd been invited to sit as a guest of Michelle Obama during a speech on one of her late husband's biggest political issues.

(Via Political Wire)

Health Care

Steele: Republicans Didn't Bankrupt Medicare In A Vacuum

Eric Kleefeld | August 25, 2009, 4:59PM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

RNC Chairman Michael Steele just appeared on CNN, where he continued to make the case that we can't risk President Obama's health care proposals at a time when Medicare is going bankrupt. And then something funny happened: Suzanne Malveaux asked him about the fact that the Republicans were the ones who bankrupted it.

Malveaux pointed out that in 2003, the Republicans passed a huge expansion of Medicare, the prescription drug benefit, without any method of paying for it through tax increases or other spending cuts. There then followed this exchange:

Steele: The reality of it is, it didn't happen in a vacuum. it wasn't Republicans by themselves, the Democrats were part--

Malveaux: But certainly, Republicans were partly responsible--

Steele: Because you have the White House, and you don't have the Congress. There's a partnership here. My point is now, you've got one party that's got control of the entire process here. So this is an opportunity for us to have an honest discussion about how we're going to address what is fundamentally an important issue to a lot of seniors around the country.

Steele appears to have been mistaken. In fact, Republicans had control of both houses of Congress as well as holding the White House in 2003, albeit by smaller margins than the Democrats do today.

Michael Steele

Steele: VA Is Encouraging Vets To Commit Suicide

Rachel Slajda | August 25, 2009, 10:58AM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

Jumping feet first onto the newest the-government-will-kill-you bandwagon is RNC chairman Michael Steele, who said on Fox today that a Veterans Affairs manual is "encouraging them [veterans] to commit suicide."

"I mean, this is crazy coming from the government, and this is exactly what concerns people and puts them in fear of what the government control of health care will look like," Steele said.

Steele was talking about what's been called the "death book," a VA pamphlet on setting up advance directives such as living wills. Starting with an op-ed last Tuesday written by George W. Bush's "faith czar," Jim Towey, conservative media has been swarming over claims that the pamphlet encourages disabled veterans to evaluate whether they're a "burden" to their families, in effect telling them to commit suicide.

"Just look at the situation with our veterans, when you have a manual out there telling our veterans stuff like, 'are you really of value to your community,' you know, encouraging them to commit suicide," Steele said today.

The pamphlet, of course, does nothing of the sort.

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Health Care

Steele: Protect Medicare -- And Medicare Doesn't Work

Eric Kleefeld | August 25, 2009, 9:46AM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele appeared on Fox News this morning, putting forward an interesting case on Medicare: That it must be preserved against the threats from the Democrats -- and that it's a bad system that shouldn't be expanded like the Democrats want.

"They're proposing up to $550 billion in cuts or shifting of funds out of Medicare, and I don't know what that means, and our seniors don't know what that means," said Steele. "And as we get into the debate this fall, I'd like some clarity on it."

Steele was shown video of Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY), who challenged Steele and other critics with the question of if they oppose a single-payer system, then why don't they oppose Medicare? At this point, Steele got into his critique of Medicare, calling it a bankrupt system.

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Michael Steele

Steele Today: "Don't Cut Medicare!" Steele in 2006: "Cut Medicare!"

Brian Beutler | August 24, 2009, 1:31PM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

So RNC chairman Michael Steele took to the pages of the Washington Post to warn seniors, "we need to protect Medicare and not cut it in the name of 'health-insurance reform.'" A convenient refrain for the current political climate, but, in bad news for Michael Steele, a complete departure from GOP business as usual. Here, for instance, is an October, 2006 exchange on cutting Medicare between Tim Russert and--wait for it--Michael Steele.

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Michael Steele

Steele: Roy Blunt Should Be Cleaned Out Of The "Crapper"

Eric Kleefeld | August 24, 2009, 11:33AM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

Michael Steele has an interesting (and mostly bad) verbal habit of trying to defuse a situation by making bizarre and damaging statements: When someone vigorously insults him and the Republican Party, he agrees with the accusations, then tries to talk about what people can do together to fix the problems. And people remember the former rather than the latter. For example, he just said that Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO), the party's likely nominee for Senate in a top-tier 2010 Senate race, is like a clog in a toilet that needs to be cleaned out: "When stuff gets in the crapper, you gotta clean it out."

As first reported by FiredUpMissouri.com, Steele appeared this past Friday on the radio show of right-wing Missouri talker Vincent David Jericho, who had a lot to say about Roy Blunt and his son, former Gov. Matt Blunt:

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Michael Steele

Steele Hearts Death Panel Talking Points

Eric Kleefeld | August 24, 2009, 9:45AM

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

RNC Chairman Michael Steel now seems to be fully embracing the death panel talk, with a new column in the Washington Post promoting a Republican proposal called a "Seniors' Health Care Bill of Rights," which will prevent the government from killing grandma:

Third, we need to outlaw any effort to ration health care based on age. Obama has promoted a program of "comparative effectiveness research" that he claims will be used only to study competing medical treatments. But this program could actually lead to government boards rationing treatments based on age. For example, if there are going to be only so many heart surgeries in a given year, the Democrats figure government will get more bang for its buck if more young and middle-aged people get them.

Fourth, we need to prevent government from dictating the terms of end-of-life care. Many of the most significant costs of care come in the last six months of a patient's life, and every American household must consider how to treat their loved ones. Obama's government-run health "reform" would pay for seniors' meetings with a doctor to discuss end-of-life care. While nonthreatening at first, something that is quite normal for a family to do becomes troublesome when the government gets involved. Seniors know that government programs that seem benign at first can become anything but. The government should simply butt out of conversations about end-of-life care and leave them to seniors, their families and their doctors.

Late Update: For more on the GOP's Seniors' Health Care Bill of Rights, click here for the RNC's official release.