Steele, Rush In Lock-Step On Specter

By: Daniel Carty
Topics: In The News

(CBS)

After backtracking last month from comments that conservative talk radio giant Rush Limbaugh was "incendiary" and a mere "entertainer," Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele is following the firebrand host's lead on the latest issue dogging the GOP.

When asked on CBS' The Early Show Thursday whether his view of Arlen Specter's defection to the Democrats mirrored Sen. Olympia Snowe's (regret) or Limbaugh's (good riddance), Steele was quick to side with the controversial radio host.

"Rush (is right)," Steele said. "I'm sorry, I'm not weeping here."

Steele called Specter's maneuver a "cold, crass political calculation by a senator who could not get reelected through a nominating process in the Republican party."

"This has nothing to do with philosophy and principle and all those wonderful-sounding words."

Specter announced his switch to the Democrats Tuesday, saying he had become "increasingly at odds with the Republican philosophy."

But Steele sees the move as political opportunism.

Steele said that Specter "whined and moaned and groaned" to the White House and party officials to save his seat in 2004, when he faced a primary challenge from former congressman Pat Toomey.

"All this … crazy noise about conservatism, he didn't mind it when his seat was on the line."

Still, Steele acknowledged the GOP faces its share of struggles.

"I'm not gonna sit here with pie in the sky talk about how wonderful things are – they're not."

But he rejected the idea that conservatives are running moderates out of the party.

"This notion that somehow because we're conservative, our doors are closed and we only take certain types of people is just crazy."

Steele said that the GOP's return to power rests on staying true to "core principles" – something he says the party strayed from in recent years.

"What the voters rejected was our failure to lead."

You can watch the interview below, along with an interview with Vice President Joe Biden:

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by actornaught May 1, 2009 12:08 PM EDT: ... Bush did not fail he kept you safe.
Posted by dhouston121 at 6:55 PM : Apr 30, 2009
...See the stupidity in your post?
Posted by Stuart2560 at 5:08 AM : May 1, 2009

As if the WTC bombing never happened. Regardless, you can't prove a negative, but then most of the neo-conned aren't into that scientific thing...; Reply to this comment


by ianlou May 1, 2009 9:59 AM EDT: Does'nt Bobby Jindal remind you of one of Santa's escaped elves?

His real name is Bobby Jinglebells and he has extensive experience hammering on wooden toys.; Reply to this comment


by dhouston121 April 30, 2009 10:13 PM EDT: For that, I will NEVER forgive any neoconvict nutjob, hypocrit, toe tapping, treasonous anit american seekers of FAILURE.

Never.

Name calling is too good for their ilk. Neocons sought failure and boosh/cheney achieved it.

Obama may seek their input...Not me.
Posted by stevex47

Obviously you do not love this country either. But hey your a democrat right? Y; Reply to this comment


by dhouston121 April 30, 2009 9:55 PM EDT: For that, I will NEVER forgive any neoconvict nutjob, hypocrit, toe tapping, treasonous anit american seekers of FAILURE.

Never.

Name calling is too good for their ilk. Neocons sought failure and boosh/cheney achieved it.

Obama may seek their input...Not me.
Posted by stevex4

Another Lie that you democrats like to claim. Bush did not fail he kept you safe.; Reply to this comment


by erichsh April 30, 2009 9:23 PM EDT: For that, I will NEVER forgive any neoconvict nutjob, hypocrit, toe tapping, treasonous anit american seekers of FAILURE.

Never.
Posted by stevex47

Seriously, steve, you'd stereotype, cast aside, and villify an entire political party for the rest of your life based on a single crass comment by a senator a decade (or whatever) ago? Otherwise you'd still be a Republican?? Or maybe, just maybe, you hated Republicans even then, and to this day hold up that singular remark as as justification for your vitriolic outrage?

Funny, it wasn't that long ago when Obama mocked an entire legion of disabled children with his crack about his basketball abilities. But nooooo, that's different.; Reply to this comment


by globalcoolin April 30, 2009 8:39 PM EDT: Funny that a good day of tea partys and Specter RUNNNNNS fast for a party where people like Rep. Barny Frank are not questioned befor hearings. Senator Feinsetein is given the free pass of quietude.
Makes me wonder what Specter did we havn't learned about yet!
more tea parties will bring more clarity!; Reply to this comment


by stevex47 April 30, 2009 7:59 PM EDT: "Another crazy democrat? Gee do you ever get tired of your propaganda "

No. I can go a LOT lower than that, here's why, to the nutjob hypocrits...

Who said:
"Why is Chelsea Clinton so ungly,
because her mother is Janet Reno"

Who said that?.....John McCain, when chelsea was 13 years old, the daughter of the sitting President.

For that, I will NEVER forgive any neoconvict nutjob, hypocrit, toe tapping, treasonous anit american seekers of FAILURE.

Never.

Name calling is too good for their ilk. Neocons sought failure and boosh/cheney achieved it.

Obama may seek their input...Not me.; Reply to this comment


by dhouston121 April 30, 2009 7:44 PM EDT: I rest my case. Guess that's the best they can come up with.
Posted by erichsh

LOL, Well you also have Mcthreeteeth who thinks he is so smart. Wow; Reply to this comment


by erichsh April 30, 2009 7:27 PM EDT: Gee, sounds like 90% of the democrats on this site! Whats your point sir?
Posted by dhouston121

You mean my point about democrats engaging in "juvenile name-calling and snotty, sarcastic derision?"

"Go change out of those soggy trousers and have a nice nap" - exhibit "A", dubya_luvr.

I rest my case. Guess that's the best they can come up with.; Reply to this comment


by dhouston121 April 30, 2009 7:26 PM EDT: Ending the interview, steele said:

"Heil limbaugh"
Posted by stevex

Another crazy democrat? Gee do you ever get tired of your propaganda; Reply to this comment