GOP elects new chairman, who is black

CtrlSource

From the Irish Times:

Republicans elect first black national chairman

The US Republican Party chose its first black national chairman, just shy of three months after the nation elected a Democrat as the first black president.

The choice marked no less than “the dawn of a new party,” declared the new chairman, Michael Steele, former lieutenant governor of Maryland. Republicans chose Mr Steele over four other candidates.

Mr Steele takes the helm of a beleaguered political party that is trying to recover after crushing defeats in November’s national elections that gave Democrats control of Congress put Barack Obama in the White House.

Republican delegates erupted in cheers and applause when Mr Steele’s victory was announced, but it took six ballots to get there. He will serve a two-year term.

Mr Steele, an attorney, is a conservative, but he was considered the most moderate of the five candidates running. He also was considered an outsider because he is not a member of the Republican National Committee.

But the 168-member RNC clearly signalled it wanted a change after eight years of Mr Bush largely dictating its every move as the party’s standard-bearer. Mr Steele became the first black candidate elected to statewide office in Maryland in 2002, and he made an unsuccessful Senate run in 2006.

The former chairman of the Maryland Republican Party currently serves as chairman of Gopac, an organisation that recruits and trains Republican political candidates. In that role he has been a frequent presence on the television talk show circuit.

He vowed to expand the reach of the party by competing for every group, everywhere. “We’re going to say to friend and foe alike: ‘We want you to be a part of us. We want you to with be with us.‘ And for those who wish to obstruct, get ready to get knocked over,” Mr Steele said.

“There is not one inch of ground that we’re going to cede to anybody,” he added. “This is the dawn of a new party moving in a new direction with strength and conviction.”

AP


Interesting. Personally i think his colour is of no relevance and i'm not about to jump on a "they're copying the Democrats" bandwagon. But it does seem to reflect a change in the influence of the Right on the party

Overheal

In before Jon Stewart.


I apologize, but they really must be cluthing at straw here, this goes back to Palin's nomination. Mark me, next you will see the governor of Texas replaced by a legally blind mexican.

CtrlSource

A lot of cynicism left me on the 20th of January. Maybe i'm just being naïve

jank

Well unless their policies change to be more inclusive then this has **** all meaning.

norbert64

The few times I saw him when I used to watch H&C, he seemed fairly reasonable.

IMHO, he seemed rather moderate in fact.

I guess they won't be returning to so called true conservatism a la Palin/Huckabee then.

The Mad Hatter

CtrlSource wrote: »

Mr Steele, an attorney, is a conservative, but he was considered the most moderate of the five candidates running.

I think this is of far more interest. Yes, he may be the token black as much as Palin was the token woman/token fool, but if the Republican party are electing moderates to positions of authority it really suggests a good change in direction for the party.

JohnMc1

jank wrote: »

Well unless their policies change to be more inclusive then this has **** all meaning.

They are inclusive enough. They just expect immigrants to act like like they want to be here by assimilating.

jank

Thats fair enough but they want to classify millions of immigrants as criminals.
No wonder they lost those votes.

JohnMc1

jank wrote: »

Thats fair enough but they want to classify millions of immigrants as criminals.
No wonder they lost those votes.

If you climbed over a rusted chain link fence in the middle of the night to enter America you did commit a criminal act. The Rep Party is not anti-immigration. They are anti-Illegal Immigration.

Overheal

JohnMc1 wrote: »

If you climbed over a rusted chain link fence in the middle of the night to enter America you did commit a criminal act. The Rep Party is not anti-immigration. They are anti-Illegal Immigration.

A distinction they are not very good at keeping clear

JohnMc1

Overheal wrote: »

A distinction they are not very good at keeping clear

They have always been clear about that. Its just the liberal media loves to misquote it to scare monger [ohh. Wait a minute only the Conservatives do that. :rolleyes:]

Overheal

JohnMc1 wrote: »

They have always been clear about that. Its just the liberal media loves to misquote it to scare monger [ohh. Wait a minute only the Conservatives do that. :rolleyes:]

Everyone knows that kind of carry on is beneath the Islamifascists :pac:

JohnMc1

Overheal wrote: »

Everyone knows that kind of carry on is beneath the Islamifascists :pac:

Hope and Change :rolleyes:

jank

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHPm_TEQ0PA

Well this is what the so called leader of the conservative movement has to say about it. Lets bring in the enabling act sure. That will solve eveything!:cool:

jank

JohnMc1 wrote: »

If you climbed over a rusted chain link fence in the middle of the night to enter America you did commit a criminal act. The Rep Party is not anti-immigration. They are anti-Illegal Immigration.

I agree, but there are millions of "criminals" in the states. What do you want to do about it? Deport them all? The fact is they are there....

Anyway just because you get a speeding ticket doesnt mean that you are a criminal or does it?

JohnMc1

jank wrote: »

I agree, but there are millions of "criminals" in the states. What do you want to do about it? Deport them all? The fact is they are there....

Anyway just because you get a speeding ticket doesnt mean that you are a criminal or does it?

Make it tough for them and they'll deport themselves.

Black Swan

JohnMc1 wrote: »

Make it tough for them and they'll deport themselves.

Not in the spirit of the inscription on the Statue of Liberty?

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Maybe the Republicans (of like mind) should lobby for the inscription to be changed to reflect their current mood?

It is of no consequence to me that the current US president is African-American and that the new GOP chairman is also. Professional qualifications are more important when they attempt to do their respective jobs rather than their racial heritage.

Running Bing

Blue_Lagoon wrote: »

Not in the spirit of the inscription on the Statue of Liberty?

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Maybe the Republicans (of like mind) should lobby for the inscription to be changed to reflect their current mood?

Its not solely a republican issue though is it? Will Obama now do away with the borders and take in anybody who wants to be there? Would any democrat?

Is that really feasible and how much relevance does a 19th century sonnet have to modern America and the issues it faces?

It is of no consequence to me that the current US president is African-American and that the new GOP chairman is also. Professional qualifications are more important when they attempt to do their respective jobs rather than their racial heritage.

Agree. I could'nt care less and I even think it is slightly disrespectful to people like Barrack Obama and Michael Steele to constantly harp on about the colour of their skin. They have not got to where they are today because they are black.

Pocono Joe

Babybing wrote: »

Its not solely a republican issue though is it? Will Obama now do away with the borders and take in anybody who wants to be there? Would any democrat?

Not entirely in my opinion, but 30 million new voters registering Democrat will ensure the death of the Republican party. I'm pretty sure this is what they have in mind. I do realize I'm part of a dying breed and see an end to the two party system, but I won't go down without a fight.

jank

Maybe you can join your friends in Idaho:D

Pocono Joe

Idaho??? You lost me there, or is there just some odd fixation with potatoes involved here.

JohnMc1

Blue_Lagoon wrote: »

Not in the spirit of the inscription on the Statue of Liberty?

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Maybe the Republicans (of like mind) should lobby for the inscription to be changed to reflect their current mood?

It is of no consequence to me that the current US president is African-American and that the new GOP chairman is also. Professional qualifications are more important when they attempt to do their respective jobs rather than their racial heritage.

So we keep letting these people in and overpopulate the Country just so we don't go against the inscription on the Statue of liberty? What a moronic suggestion.

We're in a Recession. Jobs should be going to American wrokers. People who are going to pay taxes and put their money back into the economy. Not Western Union it back to their own Coutnry every payday.

jank

Why is it that non Irish people finding talking about potatoes with an Irish person funny?:pac:

Idaho is famous for its survivalists and their camps dotted around the state.

jank

Make it tough for them and they'll deport themselves.

And if they dont leave do have a final solution to the problem?:rolleyes:

Overheal

jank wrote: »

Why is it that non Irish people finding talking about potatoes with an Irish person funny?:pac:

Idaho is famous for its survivalists and their camps dotted around the state.

So... how were they today? Your potaytos? *snicker*

And if they dont leave do have a final solution to the problem?

NaziBurn! :pac:

So PJ What do you think - is it okay to throw out the immigrants? Or do you want them there as much as imported steel?

O_O

Pocono Joe

Overheal wrote: »

So PJ What do you think - is it okay to throw out the immigrants? Or do you want them there as much as imported steel?

O_O

What do I think? Any immigrant who is in the US legally, I say welcome. Any illegal alien in the US, I say deport them. And I must admit I’m torn over the anchor baby problem. But I think the illegal aliens will be on a fast track to US citizenship now that all three branches of our federal government (executive, legislative, and even judicial (Souter really pulled a fast one on Bush Sr.)) are Democrat controlled. 30 million extra registered Democrats guarantees an end to the Republicans and a two party system. I guess I’ve got to practice our new oath... “Viva La Socialism.”

I have no problem with imported steel. I love a free and fair market. But if the imported steel is subsized by a government to artifically keep prices low enough to put domestic manufacturers out of business, then yes I am against it.

Black Swan

JohnMc1 wrote: »

What a moronic suggestion.

It is unfortunate that there are posters who often personally attack the character of someone they do not agree with, rather than address the issue? Such comments lend no value to their argument, are rude and inflammatory.

Babybing wrote: »

Is that really feasible and how much relevance does a 19th century sonnet have to modern America and the issues it faces?

Fair enough. But there are people overseas that I've spoken with that still think that sonnet represents core American values. If America was a corporation and they continued to sell those Statue of Liberty models along with the inscription, would that not be false advertising?

JohnMc1

Blue_Lagoon wrote: »

It is unfortunate that there are posters who often personally attack the character of someone they do not agree with, rather than address the issue? Such comments lend no value to their argument, are rude and inflammatory.

Letting the Country become populated is moronic to the highest order. Tough Luck if you don't like it.

Black Swan

JohnMc1 wrote: »

Letting the Country become populated is moronic to the highest order. Tough Luck if you don't like it.

You completely missed my point regarding the inscription on the Statue of Liberty. Reread my posts.

Once again you continue to use inflammatory language, which does not lend any merit to your argument.

JohnMc1

Blue_Lagoon wrote: »

You completely missed my point regarding the inscription on the Statue of Liberty. Reread my posts.

Once again you continue to use inflammatory language, which does not lend any merit to your argument.

You want the Govt to continue letting everyone and everything into the Country no questions asked. That could lead to overpopulation and why California is bankrupt.

GuanYin

JohnMc1 wrote: »

You want the Govt to continue letting everyone and everything into the Country no questions asked. That could lead to overpopulation and why California is bankrupt.

Explain exactly what the "everything" in your post refers to before posting in this forum again.

JohnMc1

GuanYin wrote: »

Explain exactly what the "everything" in your post refers to before posting in this forum again.

A hyperbole went over your heads? :rolleyes: My point is still valid.

GuanYin

JohnMc1 wrote: »

A hyperbole went over your heads? :rolleyes: My point is still valid.

Maybe you don't understand me. I think you're making a comment that is against the forum rules, indeed the forum ethos.

You can clarify it exactly, or you won't post here again.

JohnMc1

How am I making something against forum rules?

Overheal

JohnMc1 wrote: »

How am I making something against forum rules?

Its implicitly racist/discriminatory... if you don't want it to be implicitly racist/discriminatory, I do advise you flesh out the comment a bit better.

GuanYin

Why this has moved specifically to immigration is beyond me. However, regarding the sonnet, "The New Colossus", which is the partial quote mentioned here. To be perfectly frank, the ideals and time to which that refers is long gone.

The US was a growing, fractured country and bears no semblance to the country we have today. World economics didn't exist to the same degree. As wonderful a concept as it would be, it would be naive to think we could still apply this in our current system of government and social responsibility (poor as it is) AND STILL remain an economically viable country.

Immigration control is a requirement of any country, the US has a strong, well defined and mostly fair system in place. It is true it favors our allies, but I believe that is the same for most countries.

If people come here legally and pay taxes, I welcome them, with open arms. Those who don't, those who come in, reap the benefits of the legal society and contribute nothing in return, I'm happy to see them deported.

Pocono Joe

Back on topic. Democratic strategist Bob Beckel has an interesting take on the new GOP head Michael Steele. I’ve got to admit I considered Steele to be a moderate Republican from what I’ve seen of him on the dreaded FoxNews. But Beckel has made some good points about the differences between the man's persona and the person on the right. It is good reading and might be a glimpse into the future of the GOP.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/02/democrats_beware_of_michael_st.html

CtrlSource

JohnMc1 wrote: »

Make it tough for them and they'll deport themselves.

Am still interested to hear what manner of toughness you reckon would spur them on to 'deport themselves'.

Pocono Joe wrote: »

Not entirely in my opinion, but 30 million new voters registering Democrat will ensure the death of the Republican party. I'm pretty sure this is what they have in mind. I do realize I'm part of a dying breed and see an end to the two party system, but I won't go down without a fight.

Do you really think that? That's a bit alarmist i feel. The Tories in England were destroyed in the '97 election that brought Blair to power. But look at them now?

i used to be confused as to why such a large and diverse country as the USA has only 2 main political parties. But then i came to understand just how diverse those parties are. They both contain myriad factions within. Both of them are broad churches.

The GOP will prove resurgent and you will no doubt have Republican presidents in the future. They might be on the wane now, but they still have millions of supporters. The Dems have a tendency to screw things up for themselves. Hopefully it won't happen under President Obama though *crosses fingers*

Overheal

theres a lot of political parties, but only 2 with any touch on the government

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_the_United_States

I don't anything about it, but I do know George Washington never intedended for a Party System to be in place. Either way, it happened, and these two parties have muscled the rest out of power, or the others never had it to begin with - im not in touch with the subject: someone older and wiser than me might be able to add to this.

Nodin

JohnMc1 wrote: »

You want the Govt to continue letting everyone and everything into the Country no questions asked. That could lead to overpopulation and why California is bankrupt.

Since when has there been open borders in the US?

Pocono Joe

Nodin wrote: »

Since when has there been open borders in the US?

Here are a compleation of statistics about California from the Los Angeles Times. Tell me this is not a sad result of a rampant open border stystem.

1. 40% of all workers in L. A. County (L. A. County has 10.2 million people) are working for cash and not paying taxes. This is because they are predominantly illegal immigrants working without a green card.

2. 95% of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens.

3. 75% of people on the most wanted list in Los Angeles are illegal aliens.

4. Over 2/3 of all births in Los Angeles County are to illegal alien Mexicans on Medi-Cal, whose births were paid for by taxpayers.

5. Nearly 35% of all inmates in California detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally.

6. Over 300,000 illegal aliens in Los Angeles County are living in garages.

7. The FBI reports half of all gang members in Los Angeles are most likely illegal aliens from south of the border.

8. Nearly 60% of all occupants of HUD properties are illegal.

9. 21 radio stations in L. A. are Spanish speaking.

10. In L. A. County 5.1 million people speak English, 3.9 million speak Spanish. (There are 10.2 million people in L. A. County)

CtrlSource

Overheal wrote: »

theres a lot of political parties, but only 2 with any touch on the government

It would be interesting to see one of the smaller parties trying to grab a piece of the pie while the Republicans are in the doldrums. i don't think it will happen though. The 2 big ones have something for almost everyone in them (at local, State and Federal level)

sceptre

Pocono Joe wrote: »

Here are a compleation of statistics about California from the Los Angeles Times. Tell me this is not a sad result of a rampant open border stystem.

1. 40% of all workers in L. A. County (L. A. County has 10.2 million people) are working for cash and not paying taxes. This is because they are predominantly illegal immigrants working without a green card.

2. 95% of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens.

3. 75% of people on the most wanted list in Los Angeles are illegal aliens.

4. Over 2/3 of all births in Los Angeles County are to illegal alien Mexicans on Medi-Cal, whose births were paid for by taxpayers.

5. Nearly 35% of all inmates in California detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally.

6. Over 300,000 illegal aliens in Los Angeles County are living in garages.

7. The FBI reports half of all gang members in Los Angeles are most likely illegal aliens from south of the border.

8. Nearly 60% of all occupants of HUD properties are illegal.

9. 21 radio stations in L. A. are Spanish speaking.

10. In L. A. County 5.1 million people speak English, 3.9 million speak Spanish. (There are 10.2 million people in L. A. County)

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/i/illegal-aliens.htm

Always check sources. Good luck finding a primary source for the above stuff in the LA Times. The LA Times did however publish a story about levels of illegal immigration to the US dropping in July 2008.

Matt Holck

migrant or squatters?

thousands of workers have been arrested in scores of raids.

Conservatives have applauded the tactics,

Overheal

sceptre wrote: »

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/i/illegal-aliens.htm

Always check sources. Good luck finding a primary source for the above stuff in the LA Times. The LA Times did however publish a story about levels of illegal immigration to the US dropping in July 2008.

I knew something smelled funny when they concluded that all 40% not paying taxes Had to be illegal aliens. God knows I've had a few cash in hand jobs in my time.

Matt Holck

Overheal wrote: »

I knew something smelled funny when they concluded that all 40% not paying taxes Had to be illegal aliens. God knows I've had a few cash in hand jobs in my time.

sure, and I made squawt
private business enterprise can mean less than minimum wage

JohnMc1

CtrlSource wrote: »

Am still interested to hear what manner of toughness you reckon would spur them on to 'deport themselves'.

E-Verify is a step in the right direction. It makes business owners and employees verify any potential employees to prove they are either 1) a US citizen or 2) a Legal Immigrant with valid paperwork [Visas, Green Cards,etc] Illegals start getting freezed out of work due to E-Verify they'll give up and go home.

Nodin wrote:

Since when has there been open borders in the US?

A rusty barbwire fence separates US from Mexico [and more than likely Canada as well] Its very easy to sneak through. Hence why there was/is a huge movement for the double border fence.

Matt Holck

a selfish waste of resources

Nodin

JohnMc1 wrote: »

A rusty barbwire fence separates US from Mexico [and more than likely Canada as well] Its very easy to sneak through. Hence why there was/is a huge movement for the double border fence.

Insufficient border security is rather different though, than the impression given by the statement below, wouldn't you say?....

JohnMc1 wrote: »

You want the Govt to continue letting everyone and everything into the Country no questions asked.

ChocolateSauce

I think this is a sorry state of affairs. In the red states where republicans get most of their undying support, most people are extremely racist. This essentially shows that the party is out of touch with the voters, and this elected representative won't have the respect of many of the people he agrees with.

Of course, I think this is great. The republicans should be destroyed and their general manifesto are intrinsically flawed.

Pocono Joe

ChocolateSauce wrote: »

I think this is a sorry state of affairs. In the red states where republicans get most of their undying support, most people are extremely racist.

Fact, fiction, or just a bizarre rant?