Steele's Speech: 32 Mentions Of Obama, Two Of Economy

Michael Steele's speech at the RNC Chairman's meeting in National Harbor, Maryland, was touted as the first page of a new chapter in the GOP's history. Speaking to a crowd of fellow Republicans, the Chairman made the case that President Obama had drastically overreached in his short time in office. He argued that conservative principles were as fresh and relevant as in years past and deemed the moment right for a political resurgence.

"This change comes in a tea bag!" he declared triumphantly at one point, referencing the populist anti-tax protests that erupted several weeks ago.

But while the address was long on prophecies and proclamations, it lacked -- quite noticeably -- substance. Insisting that the "era of Republican navel gazing is over," he focused almost exclusively on defining the opposition. And when it came to actual ideas, Steele either glossed over or ignored many policy proposals that could have gone some way towards reasserting the GOP as a party of new ideas.

A search of the advanced copy of his speech reveals that Steele made no mentions of the words: terrorist, terrorism, Iraq, Afghanistan, or Social Security.

He only mentioned the word "health care" twice, both times in the context of attacking Obama. "President Obama and Democrat leaders want a brand new tax on our health care benefits and are devising a plan to give federal government bureaucrats control of our health care system," he said.

Similarly, Steele mentioned the banks just twice. Again, in both instances he was attacking the president. "Under President Obama the federal government is now in the banking business," Steele said, adding later: "While the Obama Administration is giving the banks a stress test, they are also giving the American people a tremendous amount of stress."

In addition:

* Steele only twice said the word "economic" (he did not mentioned the word "economy")
* He said the word "poor" twice, once as a way to criticize Obama for "destroying the rich."
* Five times he said the word "job."
* Six times he said "tax" -- (either as tax, taxes or taxing)
* Only one time did he say the word "security."

As for individuals, Steele again tried to deflect the spotlight away from the GOP and firmly toward the opposition. The Chairman made one mention of "Bush," zero mentions of Cheney, three mentions of Reagan, three mentions of Pelosi and two of Reid. There were 32 mentions of Obama.

To be sure, the job of the RNC Chairman is that of a flame-throwing partisan. Unlike a conservative think tank scholar, Steele is specifically tasked with drawing political blood. And, on that front, he's had a semi-decent week, with good fundraising numbers and a respectable appearance on "Meet the Press." His speech on Tuesday was the type of red-meat address that may endear him to others inside the RNC that have quietly complained about his rocky tenure.

But not everyone ready to turn the page without an intellectual basis for that new chapter. Speaking on MSNBC shortly after Steele's address, former Congressman Chris Shays lamented the fact that he "didn't hear any new ideas."

"But, but, that's the point," he added. "I mean, we need to be talking about ideas."

Comments

[American50]

GO Steele!!!!!!!

http://wwwamericanpatriot-vance.blogspot.com/

[Mintcondition]

first before t-ball, he should try growing a pair.

[dashboard]

The reviews are in on this speech. Shallow, lazy, petty and don't even wait for the DVD to come out.

[manofmystique]

Steele is a total idiot willing to sell his soul to please those who see him as inferior. The GOP basically hired Steele or Uncle Steele as he is known in some circles, to neutralize the black President's appeal by attacking everything he stands for. In other words he is being used largely because of his color. I predict Michael Steele will not last long as GOP Chairman because he will not be able to do what he was hired to do.
Michael Steele continues to do what other Republicans do; and that is to put politics before country (they want Obama to fail). Do Republicans not learn from their mistakes, apparently not because the America people rejected McCain’s vision, proposed policies and attacks on Obama, and yet Michael Steele’s speech focus more on "confronting this President,( and administration) then offering new ideals. Michael time as GOP is running out. Fellow Republicans are plotting to ouster him as we speak. Why? Because Steele can’t do enough to please them, as long as Obama remain President.

[karela]

Check out what Dana Millbank reports on Steele's crowd reaction. Only 60% bothered to clap and the room was far from full with only 200 present. Good article.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/19/AR2009051903041.html

[dashboard]

When people were clapping it was the polite golf clap.

[BrotherOrchid]

Naysayers, frightened little men, cloistered in “dated” communities, Ivory towers, and revisionist paradises. Frightened little men pointing withered fingers at the past, while rejecting the future, America’s history is replete with such little men. These fearful men revile, and reject many of the freedoms (that most other citizens cherish)? and to what Constitution? to what credo? do “little men” (like steele) pledge allegiance? with hands over hearts?. For over 200+ years BRAVE (Black / White / Asian / Latino / Native / Muslim / Jewish / ect ) AMERICAN CITIZENS, have given the full measure of their devotion, to help advance, and maintain the very freedoms that frightened little men (like steele) despise.

[Whinger]

He wouldn't recognize a good idea if it walked up and slapped him in the face!

[transe]

ummmm, wasn't it john mccain's plan to tax health care benefits???? how on earth did steele twist that and make it obama? someone needs to slip him a valium.

[BrotherOrchid]

Steele is obviously not ready for the “big leagues”, he should try t-ball.

[seted]

If republicans ruled the world.
In 2012 president Jeb Bush with vice President Liz Cheney signed the executive order combining Fema with the big Pharma, the previously empty Fema camps strategically located around the country were used to shelter the ' Houseless' all tho no one is allowed to communicate with the ' Guests' rumours abound about illegal medical testing being carried out. One republican congressman at that time disputes it saying it's like summer camp except it's all year long. Two years later congress passes the donor bill were criminals and the disenfranchised can have their organs confiscated for use to the good of society.When someone protested they were accused of being un America and there fore evil and arrested promptly .Those without health insurance are denied basic health care as the President states " their in God's hands, if he wants them to live they will.Mote later.

[seted]

By 2020 food and clean water riots erupt around the country President Cheney argues that the few water purification plant are being ran at full capacity, how ever the good of the country must come first so only those in government will get the first share. Reporters were subdued due to the fact that instead of being protected by the secret service, Madam President had a score of Blackwater soldiers surrounding her.

[mergina]

I like watching Steele. I find it humorous to watch a BLACK MAN who is part of the REPUBLICAN PARTY, who actually thinks that the LILLY WHITE MEMBERS OF THAT PARTY care about him at all. He is being used and duped by the Lilly White Party of the Rich, to speak out against Obama as a black man so it won't be called racist, even though his messages and attacks that represent the LILLY WHITE PARTY OF THE RICH are indeed RACIST. It is so obvious they hate Obama because he is black, well half black, but any black just won't do for you to be a bonafide member of the LILLY WHITE PARTY OF THE RICH, THE REPUBLICAN NO, YES, NO, YES BUT, NO PARTY.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

Long on BS and short on ideas, actions points. While I understand as chair of the RNC Steele should not be required to come up with ideas for energy independence, health care, the economy, Afghanistan, North Korea, Pakistan, closing Gitmo, swine flu, food safety, DADT, Cuba, increasing educational outcomes and access, but the elected officials should . . . be they in Congress or in the States. IF they had ideas, they could tell Steele who could sell them for the party. But they got NOTHING. NADA. ZIP.
So, Steele is left blathering like an idea "ideas in a teabag" or some such craziness.

They have a plan to have a plan to a plan to plan on something about something someday. Or, maybe the plan is to simply say no.

[danonchalant1]

Poor Steele! I know how it feels to love somebody who doesn't love you back! Don't try to cry on my shoulder, though. I don't love you back, either!

[loki]

The RNC and GOP is apparently trying to emulate the religious marketing success by uniting their followers against one entity. In the churches case its the mystical entity the devil. In the GOP and RNC, its the real person they are working hard to make appear like the devil, Obama. They are actually using exact phrasing that was used against the Bush administrations reign of terror upon the Obama Administration. They cant even come up with their own ideas to bash this president with. They have to look to the past to find the words. From all the way back to communist fear to end of the Bush administration in 2009, the RNC and GOP are rehashing every fear mongering term they can find. Then they are trying to position themselves as the saviors, quickly forgetting it was a Republican President and Republican congress that got us here to begin with. Trying to say that in less than 150 days, Obama and democrats have done all this damage on their own. Yes, the RNC is using the most successful marketing strategy of all time. Religion. Coming together to fight a common enemy. Real or created, they are working hard to make it happen.

[winnie47]

One problem- the religious right is shrinking. Less and less people identify themselves by a particular religion. Even the children of the reigious right has come to realize that the Bible is not a weapon. That's why the whole "Obama is the antiChrist" bit blew up in their faces. But rest assured. That won't stop the Rethugs. Common sense and logic has never been their strong suit.

[natalie0nine]

Where are the facts that back up your assertions about religion? Links?

[enriquecaliente]

He stated that the time for Republicans looking back, is over. Has this guy no sense at all. I truly hope that they don't look back. This way, they will keep making the same mistakes over and over and over......

[loki]

They look back all the time. To find old quotes from Reagan, or anyone else they can toss out to try to make people think they are something, they are not.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

They are also looking back to find old, used up irrelevant leaders. New Gingrich, for example, or Dick Cheney. New is probably the most laughable because he was relevant fifteen years or so ago and even then was immoral by their standards (adulterer). His Contract [on] America is no longer useful and we want more than rabid arguing for the rich. So, they are looking back and are holding fast to the old, white men they find there.

[American50]

http://www.georgiawomenformccain.org/ObamaCartoon_ObamaNation.gif

[winnie47]

"Those who don't learn from their history are doomed to repeat it." Translation: Dubya the Dullard never bothered to learn the lessons of the free market run amok. He therefore repeated the reckless policies that led to the Great Depression. Rethugs NEVER look back. It's why they fail...and fail...and FAIL....

[Chloe33]

What's YOUR reason?