Paul Ryan: Steele Is Pro-Choice, And That's Okay

One of the fastest rising Republicans in the House of Representatives said on Thursday that RNC Chair Michael Steele was "pro-choice" -- and that he was okay with that.

"We have plenty of pro-choice Republicans in the party," said Congressman Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.). "There are pro-choice Republicans in Congress. There are pro-choice Republicans that is I represent in Wisconsin. We are a big tent party. I'm pro-life. Michael Steele is pro-choice. And you know what? We both fit within the tent of the Republican Party."

The remark, made during a brief interview on MSNBC, came after Steele found himself in a bit of hot water after telling GQ Magazine that he supported an individual's right to choose an abortion, but preferred that abortion policy be decided by states.

There are a few things remarkable about Ryan's declaration. For starters, Steele backtracked from his remarks on Thursday morning, insisting that he was firmly pro-life. Moreover, while Ryan insisted that the GOP does not "have 16-point litmus test," a large faction of the party would adamantly define it as strictly anti-abortion. Such a stance, after all, is in their platform.

Ryan seems to be trying to pick up artfully where Steele fumbled. Moderate Republicans insist that if the party is to grow, it needs to move away from its rigidity on abortion. Steele seemed to be trying to get at this point, though he talked himself into knots in the process.

How bad a job did the RNC Chair do? In addition to angering a whole host of social and religious conservatives, he managed to tick off pro-choice (albeit anti-Roe v. Wade) GOPers as well. Writing on her personal blog, Liz Mair, formerly the online communications director for the RNC, said that Steele -- in both his GQ performance and past abortion statements -- had created a "big-league mess" and was close to coming off like a buffoon.

A party chief holding these views is something that would make me personally quite happy. But this particular episode is looking like a big-league mess... and one which I daresay Mike Duncan would never have gotten within a mile of. I don't say this to criticize Steele or tear him down (I like him a great deal personally, and still think he has attributes that are valuable as a party chairman). But I do hope he'll recognize that he's ventured into this particular snakepit of an area without being especially clear one too many times. Steele simply can't do this anymore if he wants to avoid looking like a buffoon who is putting the party in a position where its ability to raise money could be compromised, and where we can't plausibly advance the notion of being a big tent because conservatives and moderates think our party chairman is just saying whatever he thinks he needs to say to keep everyone happy, while doing it rather incoherently and making everyone doubt their position.

Comments

[reminder]

Most of you posting comments here refuse to think past your own noses because you don't want to take responsibility for your own actions; sorry, this "play stupid" trick is too obvious, and so are all your rationalizations for being "pro-choice," including the term itself; as if anyone should have the right of choice to do anything they please. Forget the God-Satin continuum, us mortal saps have to live in the world we create for ourselves.

[sepiasiren]

Whattt? The Republican party actually allows free thought that differs from the Holy One aka Rush Limbaugh without vilification?????

Yeah right, they are trying a new PR spin and making it appear as if they are not Goose Stepping, narrow minded party of lemmings that they truly are. After all the whole Palin-Jindal-Steele thing went so well...

At least within the multi-racial democratic party you will find all walks of life and all types of ideals adn we will ostracize the bigots, misogynists, and of course, dogmatic bible thumpers.

Those guys then go over to the GOP.

[indy girl]

Ryan left out one word. The Republicans are a big CIRCUS tent party.

[bogues]

Any time the Republican party starts trying to make themselves appear to be pro-choice, you know without a doubt that they are lying through their teeth. What we are seeing is the GOP's attempt to make it look like they have decided to be more like Democrats and allow people the Liberty that the Founding Fathers held so dear. Trust me, the Republican party will be pro-choice only long enough to over-turn Roe v Wade and make abortion illegal in every state. They want Democratic and Independent votes and they are going to disquise themselves in what ever way they have to to make that happen.

[Hillrick]

What? This guy hasn't come out yet saying that he:
A. Misspoke
B. Was misunderstood because people were listening to what he said, not what he meant to say.
C. The twinkie defense.

[AndThenOneDay]

"We're a big sheet party," the Wisconsin law-maker was quoted as saying -AP

[gladys46]

Big tent ... really ! Blackwell orders Steele to do major reading assignments ... surely he'll find the definition of id i o t buried somewhere within those documents !

[Wilbur]

As a Wisconsin-ite, I am frustrated that the voters in Ryan's district (SE part of Wisconsin that includes some big labor areas) continually re-elect this little twerp. The Dems just haven't been able to recruit a serious challenger who is well-financed. And I have to laugh about there being "pro-choice" Republicans. Save for Senators Snowe & Collins of Maine and Sen. "Magic Bullet Theory" Specter of Pennsylvania, I can't think of another GOPO'er in Congress who is anything but anti-choice. Are there any others?

Wilbur

[sasidechick]

How long do you think it will be before he is apologizing to Rush?

[SweetBabu]

In 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . .

[justoverit333]

he already apologized to Rush

[indy girl]

Since all elected republicans who want to survive have to live under Rush's BIG tent! Now that's a circus! But the food is probably excellent.

[sasidechick]

This "former communications director" says "But I do hope he'll recognize that he's ventured into this particular snakepit of an area without being especially clear one too many times." First, "this particular snakepit"?? I think that is a very telling statement. I think all the evangelicals should ask her what she means by that. Remember when that guy who worked in Bush's religion office said Rove, Bush and the gang laughed about them behind their backs and used them? Calling one of the most important part of the Republicans platform a "snakepit" shows they realize their argument is costing them more votes than it gains them.

"Without being clear one too many times?" The problem for the RNC is I thought he was clear. He said he was personally pro-life but supported a woman's right to choose. HE WAS CLEAR; the fact you didn't like what he said and then of course he backpedaled is another story.

Also, I see why this woman is a "former communications director". Reading her blog entry, it is very poorly written.

[Bee713]

I am a conservative and Pro-Choice. There is nothing wrong with having your own views on issues. Way to go Michael!

[hortonhearsawho2]

So, basically, ur utterly clueless, is that it...thats my choice .

[sepiasiren]

then where are you guys when the Pro-Choice debate is going on--why make it appear as if this only a liberal stance?

[mervr1]

Well Ryan was right about the GOP being "the big tent party".

With the GOP under "the big tent" you always know the circus is in town full of clowns.

[Tugar]

HEY mervr1
,,,
WHAT'S THE WORD...

I'LL GIVE YOU "A MEGA DIDDOS ON THAT ONE" ! LOL, LOL, LOL

[DeeDeeDaGumby]

I just gave some thought to how much the word tent has been coming up .. In the news lately I have seen stories about this new tent someone made for homeless ppl... then you have tent cities that are popping up in just about every major city. Yet today in the Houston Chronicle came word that Rick Perry was turning down 555 million of the stimulus. It was the works aid for the newly unemployed..While we have the Repubs throwing around the metaphoric idea of all these ppl under a big happy tent you have ppl who are facing life in a real tent.. Which tent will gain more members anytime soon.. I think we all know the answer to that one.It is not a game , yet so many Politicians play around like it is.. What will it take to get everyone on the same page? As for Perry I think I am going to clip 2 articles out of todays paper and send them to him l The first being about him. The 2nd is on how Harris County's Commissioner wants to let hunters go in to a park near here to bow hunt feral hog The meat will go to feed Houston's hungry..I know it does not sound like a perfect plan, but hey at least someone is thinking about someone besides themselves or "the people they feel can fit in their big tent'..........

DeeDee

[DeeDeeDaGumby]

oh and the tent for the homeless ppl runs just a mere 500 bucks.. but it fits beautifully over a shopping cart...all sad but true.......

[patrickgarret]

Grab the popcorn! I'm so sick of popcorn!

[indy girl]

::::uploading pretzels and cheese dip:::::

[hortonhearsawho2]

Nachos, we gotta have nachos....

[joeyfoto]

Congressman Ryan is saying the right thing but he's wrong. There is no room in the GOP for Pro-Choice Republicans, they are RINOs (i.e. Republicans In Name Only). As one of the earliest members of Republicans for Choice, I know whereof I speak. There is no Fascist-Liberal Party. There is no Pro-Choice Republican party. The base won't allow it. Watch what they do to Michael Steele.

These social-con­servatives won't be dragged kicking or screaming into a big-tent party; they want the pup-tent all to themselves. They are the party of the platform of the Republican Party. They win. They want to be the party of Rush and Sean and Ann; they can. They have ugly names for the rest of us who they want out of the party; they win again. We have a new name for ourselves: "Republicans for Obama." Without us, the mainstream voters in America, who believe in quaint ideas like honest government, transparent accounting and fiscal responsibility, while believing that freedom of conscience is the cornerstone of liberty; without us, they can win everything but elections.

[sepiasiren]

Wow- joey--I--I think I love you! Thanks for that post!!!!

[boycottrightwingthings]

The Republicans fierce opposition to women taking control of their own bodies and lives is one of many reasons that women won't vote for them anymore. Without women, they will lose every election. We are hip to them, and we won't go back to when abortion was UNSAFE and ILLEGAL for most poor and middle class women, but where rich women could board a plane and still get one quite easily. Pro life has nothing to do with abortion, because the same people who howl and try to keep women down by threatening abortion seem to have very little problem if any with war and killing innocent born animals for sport (hear me, Sarah?) or giving minorities the death penalty when they haven't had the money for a fair or adequate trial. They equate cells with a person, but BIRTH=LIFE for most people. Until they stop being only for the rich and crazy religious and people who want to keep women down, the Republican party will be irelevant. They won't be a CHOICE for most women and minorities, as evidenced by Obama's mandate for change. Bush showed us the nightmare of what a religious nut can do to a Superpower country, and it was not pretty, and we are STILL reeling from the effects. The Republican party has become a cartoon, complete with so many bafoons. They will never be mine and so many other women's CHOICE.