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Steele Defends Style: 'Buckle Up,' He Warns

By John Johnson, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 7, 2009 9:39 PM CST

(Newser) – Michael Steele has taken much flak in his short tenure as GOP chairman, and he offers no apologies. “I’m trying to move an elephant that’s become mired in its own muck,” he tells the New York Times. Steele has long been an impulse kind of guy, the Times notes, and his off-the-cuff criticism of Rush Limbaugh and promise of a "hip-hop makeover" for the party are just the latest examples. "I'm very spontaneous," he says.

Steele acknowledges that some of his problems are "self-inflicted," but adds, "I do things to get a reaction." Critics say he's all talk and no strategy, but one of the men Steele defeated for the RNC chairmanship applauds the zeal. “That almost cavalier approach may turn some people off,” said Saul Anuzis, but “I think a lot of the country was nodding their head saying, ‘Exactly.'" Regardless, don't expect Steele to change his ways. “Be prepared," he says. “Just buckle up and get ready to go.”

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

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In this Jan. 30 file photo, Michael Steele speaks after being elected the first black Republican National Committee chairman. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

In this file photo provided by ABC News, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, appears on ABC's This Week. (AP Photo/ABC News, Lauren Victoria Burke)

In this Sept. 3 file photo, Michael Steele speaks at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

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You can say, ‘He’s crazy, he’s running off at the mouth.’ Or you can say, ‘It kind of makes sense, and I get it.’
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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 5 comments

Guest

Mar 9, 2009 11:07 PM CDT

Steele is just the Republican party's "Magic Negro." They think by electing him leader that they will look inclusive, when the sad fact is that the party is condensing down to nothing but old white men, old white men with no new ideas.

AdaptAndOvercome

Mar 8, 2009 5:55 AM CDT

He's so not black. He stereo types blacks when he tries talking down to them. He's another Rush--says things to get a rise. Typical phony party.. The GOP just doesn't get it.

riffran

Mar 8, 2009 4:26 AM CDT

as long as he doesn't "use " bling again...whats next big pimpin"....or "rolling"....*singing * "wanna be a ballah...... shakala....

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