Michael Steele's ascension to the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee is a tremendous step forward for a party seeking to avoid slipping into the political abyss of its own creation. The symbolism of Steele's win is undeniable -- a party whose late 20th century rise to dominance was largely fueled by demonization of African Americans is now led by a Black man. It's difficult to underestimate the symbolism of Steele's election as chairman. It's also difficult to see what difference it will make in the fortunes of the party. For all the talk about this election, and it's hard to remember the last time a party chairman's race has been so closely followed, the reality is that Steele's win really doesn't mean much.
Yes, his win has great meaning. It demonstrates that at least some party leaders understand that the wheel of racial politics is turning away from the Grand Old Party. Recent Census Bureau projections make clear that the Party can no longer be competitive in much of the country by ignoring minority voters: in a little more than thirty years, the U.S. will no longer be a majority white nation. Steele's election and, indeed the attention given to the chairman's race, sends a message that the Party knows the status quo must change.
Steele's election may actually be more important to white moderates than it is to minorities. Suburban white moderates, in particular, don't want to be associated with a party that continues to play race cards. Things could have been much worse. Had the Republicans elected Chip Saltsman, distributor of the "Barack the Magic Negro" discs, as chairman, the message to those voters would have been: In times of change, we give you the "same old, same old."
But recognizing the need for change and making it happen require two distinctly different skill sets and it's an open question if Steele is up to the task. While Steele is the official head of the party, he may prove to be a titular leader because there will be many 2012 Republican presidential hopefuls that want to guide the party in their own interests. Moreover, Steele stated since his election that the problems engulfing the GOP are as much about marketing their ideas than the ideas themselves. That is not the kind of vision that will lead to better days for the party. The data are clear: most Americans think the GOP is too conservative. It doesn't appear that the Party is getting the message.
Steele's win doesn't mean that the Republican Party is any closer to serious competition with the Democrats for the votes of African Americans. The single digit performances of the GOP in two of the last three presidential elections is emblematic of a party that has more than just marketing problems. The Republican Party, overtaken by narrowly focused special interest groups, is now officially out of the business of mainstream thinking and Steele's ascension, while historic, is unlikely to bring about the change needed to make the GOP relevant going forward.
Michael K. Fauntroy is an assistant professor of public policy at George Mason University and author of Republicans and the Black Vote.
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They need to implement change in a more genuine manner because electing an African-American as chairman shortly after the first African-American president is sworn in is just too transparent.....Sorry RNC, we don't buy into the posturing......Sorry Mike that you have become the poster boy to a failing whale of a party. Abe Lincoln would be ashamed.
The author makes a good point in that moderate Republicans can now feel more comfortable voting Republican because they have "opened the door" to a black RNC chairman. Well, last I checked, voting was secretive. Those same people were still voting Republican behind the curtain, even if they knew chances are most racists are on there side.
The racists, on the other hand, will be more likely to stay home now that their "side" is led by Steele.
This line of thinking compares to the Palin gambit. Women will vote for a woman no matter her qualifications. Surely, Blacks can now vote Republican because of Steele.
They just don't get it, do they? If they would actually try talking to minorities and women...........nah, not gonna happen!
This is what I really want to know: Remember the reporters at McCain rally's during the election? The ones that talked to McCain/Republican supporters who said things like this about Barack Obama, a black man, becoming president: "But he's black." and "If he becomes president, then the black people will take over America." These people said these things on TV! I would like to know what these people think now about a black man being the head of their party. Are they afraid of him too? Are they still Republicans? Are they still ignorant? Could those reporters find these same people and ask them? It would be interesting.
He is proof that the republicans still don't get it. You can't just place a female in the race like sarah palin to try and get all of Hillary's voters. Everyone soon found out that Sarah was no Hillary. And you can't put in place a black face to lead your party just because the Barack Obama, a democrat, is now the president. Steele is nothing but a repug wolf in black sheep's clothing. Republicans think that america is stupid...we are not....well I ain't. I see that steele wolf for what he is and my house is made with bricks.
Republicans need to seriously re-evaluate because America is changing...America has changed. I'm sorry, but as a black 31 year old woman from Harlem...I don't trust any black republicans.
Presumably, he will speed up division in his own party.
Lary Waldman
Michael Steele will be an effective spokesman and spinmeister for the GOP, but he does so while protecting--not challenging--the GOP's status quo.
However, it is wise not to forgeet that now and again the bus needs to be driven to the garage for a major service and a major tune up.
If the bus is not running well and is need of a tyre change, or an engine tune up,changing the bus driver ain't gonna help one bit. The bus has to stripped to pieces and rebuilt and put back together. So it is with a political party. Now and again you got to give it a thorough system overhaul and not just a cosmetic change of changing the driver.