Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Fred Barnes: GOP team winning despite the coach.

Fred Barnes, Editor of the conservative magazine The Weekly Standard, writes in the Wall Street Journal this week about the increasing irrelevance of the RNC despite the expected success the GOP expects at the polls in two weeks:

"Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele is the missing person of the midterm election. Instead of cable news appearances and debates with Democratic counterpart Tim Kaine, Mr. Steele has spent the past month leading a "Fire Pelosi" bus tour across the country.

His small role in the campaign, highly unusual for a party chairman, is matched by the scaled back effort the RNC has mounted in 2010
..."

Nature abhors a vacuum and politics is no different. What is interesting is the poor job Steele and his cronies have done in picking candidates and raising money:

"Since Mr. Steele was elected chairman last year, the RNC has raised almost $153.7 million, roughly $90 million less than in 2006. It has aired only a few TV ads and its get-out-the-vote (GOTV) drive is considerably less ambitious than in previous midterm elections...

"The need to bail out the RNC arose last year after it quickly ran through $22.8 million and had trouble replenishing its war chest. Reliable donors were turned off by Mr. Steele's overexposure in the media, his insistence on making paid speeches as chairman, and statements that put him at odds with other Republican leaders.

The RNC brought in $9.7 million in September, $4 million short of its goal. This compares with $11.2 million raised last month by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), which supports House candidates. And the RGA, led by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, raised $31 million in July, August and September.

Many congressional Republicans and governors no longer trust Mr. Steele as their spokesman. They tend to work around the RNC rather than engage Mr. Steele."

It seems the only question after November should be whether to send Mr. Steele back to where he belongs: in front of a camera because he has been a disaster in terms of running the RNC and raising money. If Republicans have success in two weeks, it will be because the grassroots conservatives and other organizations such as the RGA combined to pull the GOP out of the electoral fires of 2006 and 2008. Kind of like when a group of Caeser's veterans got tired of watching an admiral lose a sea battle, commandeered some boats, rode out to the ships at battle, took them over, and thrashed the enemy. Mr. Steele should remember the troops will suffer failure for only so long. Send him back to Fox.

15 comments:

bill said...

Though the party deserves credit for trying to expand its base while giving Mr. Steele a chance to lead the way, this experiment needs to be concluded. Although I believe that his hiring was partially motivated by race, I don't think his firing will be. Had he done the job that needed to be done he would be fine regardless of race, but that's not the case. However, this won't keep the left from accusing the Republicans of racism and exclusion so they can try to recover their losses. Once again, the truth won't mean as much as the spin that's put on it. Bill Billingsley

Anonymous said...

Damn, Bill. It hasn't even happened yet, and you are offering the race card up as a suggestion for what "the left" will do. You've already played the card before "the left" has.

Ironic that someone who is so sensitive to false cries of racism would be the first to consider it in this case.

Perhaps "the left" isn't as concerned with the potential outcomes of Steele's employment as you anticipate. "They" are probably thrilled that he is still there, causing discord in the GOP.

What happens if "the left" doesn't blame Steele's eventual termination on racism? I am sure you will make sure to give credit to "the left" for not doing so.

Clipper said...

Off topic, but that was the 10th legion, wasn't it?

Kingfish said...

The Dems should want him to stay where he is.

bill said...

You know, 10:25, you're right. I shouldn't be jumping the gun on this. If Steele fails to get reelected and the left doesn't cry racism, I'll gladly retract my prediction and admit I was wrong. I'm just so accustomed to them playing the race card at every opportunity that I got a little ahead of myself. Sorry...BB

Anonymous said...

1. He was black when he was hired. That insulates you from a charge of racism when he's fired.

2. He's being fired because he's a buffoon.

3. He made the mistake so many GOP establishment types do: He craved approval from the media. And like a moron, he renounced Rush Limbaugh (a guy who worked for Steele's election as Lt. Gov. of Maryland).

Put him out to pasture. He's an anchor around the party's neck.

Anonymous said...

Don't send him to Fox. Send him back to Maryland. It was racism that got him elected to the post to begin with. Had he not been black he would have never been a serious contender. The GOP needs to back off of the desire to appeal to black and Latino voters and just stay true to the message.

Anonymous said...

both of BB's post were spot on

Auburn Rat said...

The one before Steele was completely ineffectual, Ken Mehlman, and he was a closet homosexual. That's why he was awol during the Obama-rama. The dems probably had the goods on him. They haven't had a good RNC Chairman since Barbour. and barbour doesn't want that job again. I hope. Last I read the Old Repub Guard (the problem) is going to go to him and implore that he not run for Prez and that he do indeed take the RNC Chair. then he can get a plumb Job in the Palin administration (huh?)she has about as much chance of being elected prez as a matchmaker in hell.

Anyway I'm afraid the Republicans are going to wake up a little frustrated on Nov 3rd. I do not think they will take either chamber. They will be close and they will be a force to contend with but "Meet the New Boss", "same as the Old Boss. We repubs are inebriated with Poll Madness and a Poll is speculation first and foremost. Politics remains local. And I am a Repub.....!

bill said...

Auburn Rat, you sound like a smart Republican, and while I don't mean to hijack the thread away from the Michael Steele issue, I can't completely agree with your doom and gloom prophecy. I think the GOP will take the House comfortably, and could take the Senate but probably will get within a seat or two. Unless Obama makes a dramatic move to center a la Bill Clinton, we'll throw him out and take the Senate in 2012. Then we'll be like the dog who catches the car - what do we do now? If we don't do right we can expect for the Democrats to rise up again and do to us what we'll have done to them.

I harbored secret hopes that Obama would work out. I've never been fond of the extremists in either party, and I had hopes that he would govern from the center and sort of bring us all together. I know, I know...you'd think an old fart like me wouldn't be so naive. In fact, he's been the most divisive President I've ever seen, and the silver lining in the cloud he's cast over our country is that he's brought out anti-Obama voters in droves. Two weeks from now we'll know whether the first step toward reclaiming our country has been taken. BB

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Kingfish said...

Happened in 92 and has nothing to do with this thread. Go astroturf somewhere else.

Anonymous said...

Good catch!

Anonymous said...

Bill, the left is arguing daily and have criticized Obama because they complain he has been too centrist and catered to Wall Street,BP etc.

Dems should be happy , as KF said,if Steele remains. But, they've noted his buffoonery to the extent that it wouldn't serve them well to play the race card. Doesn't mean some of them won't be dumb enough to try.

Both parties should take a lesson from Nixon and realize there is a " silent majority". Just because some talking heads claim to represent the interests and position of certain groups doesn't mean they do or that all the members of any group have only one uniform point of view.

I'm glad, Bill, you " secretly" hoped Obama would succeed. We should all hope our President is successful, but alas, the die hards in both parties would rather our country suffer than have a President of the other party succeed. And, respect for the OFFICE of the Presidency is something that has obviously been lost but something you and I were raised to understand has importance.

Auburn Rat said...

Thank you Bill, I have consistently voted "Repub" for the last three elections. But, I am chronicly cautious on this poll stuff. As for Obama and the "centerist hopes", nah, to paraphrase Lloyd Benson way back w/Qualye...."He "are no" Bill Clinton". He's too arrogant, smart and real smart but arrogant to boot. "Chicago Burrough" politics come to Washington.

We are in one big mess.....pray we get throught this, pray! Then Vote!


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.