Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Steele: Ticking Off Limbaugh Part of My Job

Embattled RNC chairman vows to carry on reforming GOP despite criticism

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 5, 2009 1:38 AM CST

(Newser) – Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele says he isn't going to let the Rush Limbaugh hooha or any other criticism stop him from remaking the GOP, the Washington Post reports. Steele, criticized by some for his loose-cannon approach, says drawing fire from both moderates and conservatives is all part of his job. "I'm in the business of ticking people off," he told the Post. "That's why I'm chairman."

Criticized by detractors for being too high profile, he called himself the de facto leader of the GOP. "It would be dereliction of my duty if I sat in this office all day." He said his rebranding of the GOP will be a "wholesale makeover, inside out" that will rely on "young guns" and "not typical Washington types."

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele speaks after being elected the first black Republican National Committee chairman. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Michael Steele speaks at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., last year. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Everyone has a role to play, but at the end of the day, all roads are going to lead to this desk. From the Hill, from the grass roots, the donors, it all comes here. They're all going to look to me to speak on issues. - Michael Steele

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Getty Images

White Grandfather Cuffed for Walking With Black Granddaughter (NewsOne)

Man in Mugshot Explains Why He Has Half a Head (HuffPost)

These Exes Were Spotted Making Out … and That's a Bad Thing (Bleacher Report)

Help! I'm Having an Incestuous Relationship With My Twin (Slate)

Proof that Twitter Users are Sexier Than Facebook Users? (GeekSugar)

Partner Links

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

Showing 2 of 2 comments

Fondue

Mar 5, 2009 5:34 AM CST

I agree Lula, but I don't believe sitting Rushie down will do much good either. The GOP needs to disown him.

Guest

Mar 5, 2009 12:52 AM CST

Steele doesn't have much backbone. He need to sit Limpballs down and explain to him he is not the voice for the GOP = not that it would help. The GOP has now hit rock bottom and they will stay there for a long long time if they down put a stopper in Rush's mouth.

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds Major Cash Inside

Study Finds Arsenic in Baby Formula, Cereal Bars

Washington Post (Source Grid »)

Steele refuses to back down on moderates
Politico

Conservatives side with Limbaugh over Steele
San Francisco Chronicle

Steele to hit the road for RNC meetings
The Hill

Politics • Media

Republican • RNC • Rush Limbaugh • Republican Party • Michael Steele • Bill Maher Grid

More Newser Stories

Loose-Cannon Steele Worries GOP Leaders

The new RNC chair's discipline in question; he says he's just telling hard truths

(NEWSER) - GOP leaders are beginning to worry that their new chairman may need a manager himself. A succession of gaffes, flaky comments, and strange decisions by Michael Steele has some experiencing buyer's remorse. Top of the list: Steele fought with, then apologized to, Rush Limbaugh, threatened long-time incumbents, suggested an “off the hook” PR campaign to reach “urban-suburban hip-hop settings,” and a month in which he still doesn’t have any senior staff. More»

GOP Still Hasn't Seen the Bottom

Republicans wonder when their woes will bottom

(NEWSER) - Just when the Grand Old Party thought it couldn't get worse, it has: Conservative infighting from a caustic radio host, stumbles from its emerging non-white leaders—Michael Steele and Bobby Jindal both—and polls that suggest just 25% of Americans support them. Meanwhile, Dems enjoy great popularity and steady donations. "I have no idea where the bottom is," a Republican pollster tells Politico. More»

Draft Your Limbaugh Apology Here

Democratic site mocks GOP regrets to right-wing radio guru

(NEWSER) - Democrats have launched a website to mock the stream of Republicans rushing to apologize to Rush Limbaugh, the New York Daily News reports. Imsorryrush.com, launched on the official DNC site, helps users formulate a mock note of regret for publicly criticizing the radio host. They can sign it on behalf of prominent GOP leaders who, like RNC chief Michael Steele, recently bowed before the conservative pundit. More»

'Minority Leader Limbaugh' Will Sink GOP

Obama's campaign manager takes a swipe at Republicans

(NEWSER) - The 2008 election sent many signals, but chief among them was that America is sick of partisan pettiness, writes President Obama’s former campaign manager David Plouffe in the Washington Post today, He faults the GOP for somehow missing that memo, joining Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel in declaring that “Rush Limbaugh has become their leader.” For hurting Americans, Rush's bellowing that he hopes Obama fails to rescue the economy "sounded like fingernails on a chalkboard.” More»

Steele to Rush: I Take It All Back

RNC chair begs radio host's forgiveness for criticism

(NEWSER) - Republicans just can’t stay mad at Rush Limbaugh. A few weeks ago, Rep. Phil Gingrey begged forgiveness after criticizing the radio host. Yesterday, Politico reports, RNC chair Michael Steele came crawling back to Limbaugh, saying he didn’t meant it when he dismissed Limbaugh as an "entertainer" and "incendiary" Saturday night on CNN. Explains the apologetic Steele, "I was maybe a little bit inarticulate." More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Steele: Ticking Off Limbaugh Part of My Job