Michael Steele: Black Politicians Have Less Room for Error

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Republicans

Republican leader Michael Steele, whose leadership has been questioned by some in the GOP, said this morning his job is a little bit tougher because of his race.

A viewer of ABC's "Good Morning America" asked Steele whether he thinks he has a smaller margin for error because he is African American.

"The honest answer is, 'yes,'" Steele said. "It just is. Barack Obama has a slimmer margin. A lot of folks do. It's a different role for me to play and others to play, and that's just the reality of it. But you take that as a part of the nature of it."

Steele said he will not give up his seat as head of the Republican National Committee, even though his chairmanship has been plagued by controversies, such as the recent revelation that the committee reimbursed expenses coming to nearly $2,000 for an outing at a topless, bondage-themed nightclub. Some have said the incident, paired with the RNC's other recent missteps could hurt the party's fundraising abilities.

"This kind of thing has got to stop, or they won't get any contributions," Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) said yesterday on "Fox News Sunday."

Steele acknowledged today that "at the end of the day, I'm judged by whether I win elections and raise the money."

"That's a standard I'm very comfortable with," he said.

Even though the RNC spent more money than it raised in most months over the past year, Steele pointed out that the party ran successful gubernatorial campaigns in New Jersey and Virginia, as well as a successful long-shot Senate campaign in Massachusetts and numerous other special elections around the country.

"We have managed the money in a way that has allowed us to compete in some races that we otherwise wouldn't have been able to compete in," he said.

White House: Steele's Problem "Isn't the Race Card, It's the Credit Card"

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by robham777 April 6, 2010 7:49 PM EDT: In my opinion, It is much more a matter of character and substance than of race, sex, or religion. Any person who uses the race card to deflect legitimate criticism of their performance does not deserve the position they hold. Mr Steele has not exhibited any real leadership which is much more scandalous than some expense account reimbursement which he probably knew nothing of.; Reply to this comment


by toldyouso21 April 6, 2010 4:20 PM EDT: by TVO1CITW April 6, 2010 11:26 AM EDT
I am a Republican. I think it is just a race issue with all blacks and it will never go away. "

does a black person's skin color and how they are perceived and treated due to that skin color ever go away? It is probably a race issue a lot of the time with all blacks because it is usually a race issue a lot of the time in how they are perceived and treated. Everything is not about race--but since so much is--it is hard to separate and discern when it may be an issue and when it may just be a smokescreeen. We can blame covert racism for giving blacks this tool.; Reply to this comment

by HGOODGUY April 6, 2010 4:10 PM EDT

If anyone is playing the race card it's the Republican Party.

The appointment of Michael Steele was tokenism at it's worst. He does little except to clear the Republican's conscience. This is not meant to be a race card rant but rather to point out that he is merely a lawn jockey in front of the white man's house!

Reply to this comment


by toldyouso21 April 6, 2010 4:22 PM EDT: OMG--he DOES resemble that little bitty lawn jockey! with glasses. LOL


by toldyouso21 April 6, 2010 4:06 PM EDT: Hey, Mike....ANY TIME NOW..... heh heh heh.; Reply to this comment


by skarrzpop April 6, 2010 3:51 PM EDT: **** HIM>>STUPID ******; Reply to this comment

by plus77 April 6, 2010 3:43 PM EDT

What Micheal Steele said is true. He is not playing the race card how could that be? No matter what he says he going to be talked about. People can't stand the truth when it right in your face.

Reply to this comment


by toldyouso21 April 6, 2010 4:13 PM EDT: Though Blacks may have to be twice as good to be considered even average to a white--his present situation has nothing to do with that. coming from a party that proclaims its' platform as being one of family values--then donors should not have their money spent on strip clubs--that has nothing to do with race just like his dept decision to pay for strip clubs had nothing to do with race. He made a mistake, or worse yet, practised idiotic judgment--to fall on the idea of he is being blasted due to being black is stupid--ANYONE who had made the same mistake would be catching the same kind of heat right now. He is just a lame politician--and like most lame politicians, the fault of any action must lie with--anyone except themselves.


by toldyouso21 April 6, 2010 3:36 PM EDT: The last time Michael Steele ran for office there was an ongoing backlash against Republicans. To address this, Steele hired homeless people (he promised them 10 dollars each) and had them work the polls and around polling areas, carrying placards and other fliers that said "vote for Michael Steele, DEMOCRAT.

It was found out and that was the end of Steele's last bid for Congress.

This historical tidbit was provided to put Both Steele and the Republican party in perspective. He is a sleazeball, a liar and will say and do anything to get elected and to keep his job--in short--he is a Republican with all the morals of ...a Republican. Not that Dems are better--they are not--but is anything as bad or dishonest or venal as a Republican?; Reply to this comment


by Leaderless April 6, 2010 2:59 PM EDT: Michael Steele: Black Politicians Have Less Room for Error
---------------------------
You can only get away with it if your last name is obama.
The lamestream media and baracks worshiper will maked sure of that.; Reply to this comment


by mint2b April 6, 2010 2:08 PM EDT: WHAT! Michael Steele is BLACK? You have got to be kidding me. When did he realize that?; Reply to this comment

by NowBeWithThat April 6, 2010 1:55 PM EDT

by chitown639 April 6, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
We have a race problem is this country, but no one is allowed to talk about it
________________________

That's what I'm talking about.

Coal miners' dead in a fateful blast but the 'big news' is Tiger Woods' reception at the masters.

Americans are transfixed by race and racial issues. Back in the 60s, Susan Sontag wrote that this is a "... passionately racist country; it will remain so in the foreseeable future."

Reply to this comment


by toldyouso21 April 6, 2010 4:15 PM EDT: But... was Tiger's news because he was black or was it because he is the maven of golf and anything he does would be news? Maybe YOU have an obsession and are transfixed with race--news is news--sometimes the color of the people in the news has nothing to do with the story or the public's interest.