Harkin: Michael Steele Is Redefining The Word Obnoxious

One of the Senate's most soft-spoken members, Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), unleashed a little pent-up frustration on Monday, telling reporters that RNC Chairman Michael Steele was redefining the term obnoxious with his latest histrionics.

On Monday morning, Steele held a conference call with reporters in which he called Democratic Senators crafting health care reform "cowards" who are "flipping the bird" to the American public. Harkin, along with a host of other Democrats, were asked about the remarks during a press conference touting the American Medical Association's endorsement of their bill.

Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) deemed Steele's comments crass and inappropriate for "someone who has the title Mr. Steele has." But Harkin, standing off to the side, was seen rolling his eyes as he whispered into the ear of Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.)

Asked after the event why he seemed surprised by what Steele had to say, the Iowa Democrat replied.

"I didn't seem surprised. It is not the first obnoxious thing he said. I mean, the guy gives new definition to the word obnoxious. You know. He says outrageous things."

A small grin entered Harkin's face. At which point his press handler declared: "Thanks everyone" while pulling the senator away from the pool of reporters.

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Comments

[Hollyhock988]

03:12 PM on 01/09/2010

Q: Where are Steele's defenders within Congress in DC?

A: Looking for a bus to throw him under.

[Azrael1701]

12:05 PM on 01/09/2010

It seems most of the comments on here are too focused on race issues. Yes he is the most obvious token leader you can get. Have a groundbreaking moment in one party and the other has to follow suit. However whilst the Dems got recognition they deserve, the GOP electing a black leader raises a lot more eyebrows than making hands clap.

However, Steele's most "obnoxious actions" are not connected with race but by how he conducts himself and by what he says. He babels on about conservative values but flips on whether he means Reagan's big tent conservatism or the Tea Party takeover conservatism. Then you have him bowing before every person in his party criticizing him and hardly taking a stand. And yes, I include his recent ultimatums as the thought a man, who makes a Heisman pose for a so called "victory" in the special elections, laying down the law in any sort of way is just comical.

[Heru1]

02:46 AM on 12/31/2009

Steele is as black as Sammy Sosa

[BetterDeadthanRedState]

03:58 PM on 12/30/2009

I'm glad to hear about his speaking fees. It would be refreshing to have to pay to hear Steele shoot off his mouth.

[BetterDeadthanRedState]

03:54 PM on 12/30/2009

It's a typical Republican ploy to throw out the invective first of which they, themselves are more deserving. Thus we have Steele calling the Democrats cowards when it was the Republicans who didn't have the courage to go against their party and do the right thing, politics be damned.

[garagenoir]

04:42 PM on 12/22/2009

You have to see the man in person. At American University I watched him respond to a thoughtful student question with a condescending barrage of GOP/Real America talking points in one breath, and then claim that his party "welcomes all" in the next.

He's a farcical showboat and a bullying punk - so I'm thinking: possible Palin running mate? Give her five minutes with Steele before she makes some awkward "you people" type remark. My guess is: he'd laugh it off, for the good of the party.

[capitalismisevil]

10:11 AM on 12/22/2009

The only reason that this was said about Steele is that Steele is black, obviously racially motivated criticism.

[marka]

10:47 AM on 12/22/2009

I'm black. I have watched this guy sign off on many things that his party and supporters of his party have done that are obviously racially motivated without comment. I won't call him the "T" word, because I don't believe that people of color are obligated to think any one way. However, t I do think that they are obligated by their ancestors, those that were denied, who suffered and died, to call out racism wherever it exists. Mr. Steele has not done this. He has self-esteem issues.

There. I've said it twice.

[capitalismisevil]

10:51 AM on 12/22/2009

Since there were "many things" why not list a few of these things?

Why did you not include those in your post?

[Nussbaum13]

11:39 AM on 12/22/2009

Your comment is total BS.

[capitalismisevil]

12:09 PM on 12/22/2009

Yes, so is me being called a racist for criticizing dear leader, yet that happens all the time.

[marka]

10:01 AM on 12/22/2009

This gentleman is one of a kind. I don't understand why he would chose to carry the water for these Bozos and then attempt to out Bozo Palin and Bachmann on his own time. I've decided that he has some serious self-esteem issues.

[TheAdultintheRoom]

08:05 AM on 12/22/2009

I couldn't say it any better than Jackie did. What a sad commentary on what our Nation has become.

[Imzadi]

06:37 AM on 12/22/2009

Harkin is spot on!

[rich24h]

08:10 AM on 12/22/2009

hes too nice i can think of a few choice words for mr. steele

[Chise67]

06:20 AM on 12/22/2009

As an AA male, I don't feel as though Steele is redfining the word obnoxious. However, I do believe he is redifining the word TOM! No smile on my face either.

[hip dibler]

08:02 AM on 12/22/2009

word riggs.

[rich24h]

08:12 AM on 12/22/2009

so very true, i dont know how this man looks himself in the mirror

[gifu]

02:05 PM on 12/22/2009

Give a guy a blue blazer and pile of bad ties and he thinks he owns the world.....

[Whinger]

04:09 AM on 12/22/2009

Michael feels the need to impress the guys who will eventually toss him under the bus!

[mad world]

03:54 PM on 12/22/2009

So true. The worst part is I think he actually believes in his party, and has no idea what fate awaits him should he cease to fall in line.

[342HP]

03:42 AM on 12/22/2009

Steele's a goober trying to be gangsta. He fails.

[janha]

02:18 AM on 12/22/2009

Steele really is a classless clown.

[cordycord]

03:45 AM on 12/22/2009

Good thing he's a Republican--otherwise, I'd have to call you a racist. Harry (this was is lost) Reid has done far worse than Steele ever could. Steele, after all, is simply a politician. He has less power than any of Obama's czars. However, we all must live with the decisions pressed by Harry.

[stephenthechampion]

05:25 AM on 12/22/2009

those evil people trying to sort out healthcare and the environment. i suppose you believe in the boogeyman too.

[janha]

04:49 PM on 12/22/2009

Only a conservative would try to play the race card to a perfectly benign comment.

[Jackie Johnson]

02:02 AM on 12/22/2009

Sen. Harkin, I couldn't agree more. In fact, so much of the recent actions of the GOP is immature, unprofessional, and certainly not worthy of a political system that deems itself to be so much more sophisticated and intelligent than others; globally I mean. It's an embarrassment to see informed adults behave like a class of adolescents who might want to annoy a substitute teacher. It's the same scenario - a group sabotage of anything that the visiting teacher might try to convey. And believe me, it's hard as a secondary ed. teacher trying to explain the reason why these educated and affluent people are so oblivious to the needs of people who have fewer resources. Yet, they pretend to understand and relate to their constituents’ concerns. Steele, Boehner, Wilson, Palin, and, yes, Lieberman - politics at its very worst - party and/or self-interests first; needs and wishes of the people, on occasion.

[Helanren]

06:11 AM on 12/22/2009

Well said. "a political system that deems itself to be so much more sophisticated and intelligent than others": that obviously is long past....the current implementation of a well designed system is totally corrupted, and totally corrupt.