Gary Johnson is the Founder & Publisher of Black Men In America.com a popular online magazine on the Internet and the Black Men In America.com Blog. Gary is also the author of the new book “25 Things That Really Matter In Life.”
Comedian Michael Steele
By Gary A. Johnson
May 19, 2009
Comedian Michael Steele gave a much anticipated speech today at the National Harbor Complex in Oxon Hill, MD, where he tried to steady the sinking ship also known as his “leadership” of the Republican National Committee (RNC). If you’ve followed this man’s career, it is hard to take him seriously. This is why I refer to him as comedian Michael Steele.
In his one-man show in the form of a speech today, comedian Steele promised the that “the era of apology for Republican mistakes of the past is officially over,” declared that “we’re going to take the president head-on” and boasted that the Republican comeback is already under way.
Oh really?
Steele is shaking in his boots that he doesn’t upset another entertainer—Rush Limbaugh, because that will mean Steele would have to apologize to Limbaugh (again).
Absent from the comedian’s remarks were new ideas. He said nothing new and nothing of substance. This dude is really obsessed with President Barack Obama. I don’t know what the President ever said or did to him, but comedian Steele never misses an opportunity to try and “diss” President Obama. Comedian Steele repeatedly argued that President Obama was making our lives worse by increasing federal spending. He never mentioned any Republican plan to help families and small businesses.
I bet leaders in the Republican Party are sorry they ever elected this dude as the front man for their party.
Why do I say this?
For starters he appears to be in over his head. He doesn’t know where he stands on an issue and some of his positions are not consistent with the party line. I don’t care what HE says, comedian Michael Steele appears very much to be a figurehead for the organization and he knows it. What is beginning to bother him is that WE know it!
Comedian Steele addressing reports that the RNC is seeking to reduce his funding authority told FOX News that part of his job is to “manage the money” and suggested that if committee members strip him of that authority he’ll step aside. Think about it. The RNC elects a black chairman to run the party and now they’re looking to implement ways to restrict his ability to manage the money. Yeah, that’s a vote of confidence.
The Republican Party is treating comedian Michael Steele like a baby wearing “Pull Ups.” They just don’t think he’s ready for “big boy” pants. Real power in politics comes with MONEY! If you can’t control the money, you have no power. The Republican Party is sending the comedian Michael Steele a “warning shot” in the form of a message by threatening to mess with his money.
“They can contemplate all they want to, but the reality is if they want a figurehead chairman you can have a figurehead chairman, but it won’t be Michael Steele,” the comedian said.
If ever there was an “empty suit” it is comedian Michael Steele. His party lost the presidency and control of Congress in the last two major national elections and national polls show more Americans are moving away from the Republican Party.
Under Steele’s leadership the big debate on the agenda today is whether to refer to the Democratic Party as “socialist.” Is this leadership?
And you wanted to know why I refer to this guy as a comedian. He’s funny and not to be taken seriously—that’s why.
Black Men In America 
May 20, 2009 at 1:38, am
thanks for remaining trite, racially irrelevant and pathetically partisan. You and your website are great teaching tools for me. At least you are out there swinging…albeit strikes…but swings nonetheless. You cannot hold a candle next to Steele, instead opting to be a small change and envious racist sucker fish clinging to his back. I raised my kids to detest racist vermin like you, David Duke and the rest of your ilk….you and your website help me to continue that educational process.
P.S. What would you do with your life if “race’ wasn’t a money, take it to the bank issue…as it is for Jessie Jackson, ad nauseam. Tom Wright
May 20, 2009 at 10:24, am
I appreciate your comments Tom. I am somewhat perplexed at your perspective on this site and the article(s). If given an opportunity to sit down and really engage in a conversation with the author(s), you might find that you have more in common with some of the views on this web site than you think.
This site is not a supporter of the tactics employed by the likes of Jesse Jackson, et al. Although, we see and acknowledge race, we’re not fans of “using it” as an excuse to to get things and/or not be held accountable and responsible for the behavior and decisions that we make. I suspect that you and I probably have more in common on certain issues than one would think. Don’t let the tongue and cheek commentaries fool you. Our styles and methodologies are different, but I bet our core values are very close to being the same. Racist venom? David Duke? Holding a candle to Michael Steele? There’s no envy when it comes to Michael Steele from us. He’s obviously an accomplished man. No one can deny that, but he, like many of us, is not above being scrutinized and criticized. It comes with the territory. We were talking this morning that we believe that Steele is probably a very likable guy. In fact, we’d like to sit down with him and give him a fair shot and educating our site visitors on his position and views.
May 20, 2009 at 1:06, pm
The comments by “Tom Wright” may be creating a stream of its own and by engaging in a text dialogue about his view points, I believe elevates all of our perspectives. If I could turn the focus back to Mr. Steele, I can concur with “Black Man” that Mr. Steele has demonstrated tenacity, perseverance, ambition, drive and a willingness to be his own man. A stalward Republican who has gained the respect of his party to hold an influencial position as chairman is worthy of note.
So, what to do with it. I am in favor of a two party political system, heck, I’d like a few more. But since we are mired in a two party system, let’s at least have a viable choice.
What former Lt. Governor proposed at the onstart was an expansion of the base. To attract a more diverse contiuents and create an “umbrella” that would be more inclusive of differing ideology. Great, then we get from the ultra conservatives (not to be confused with being Republican) that the base needs to be solidly in a camp of conservatism that will maintain the same old views on many of the hot button issues. To some how entertain the thought of alternative views and while maintaining a Republican agenda is an oxymoron. Well that didn’t fly well in providing the diverse American public with a different view of the Republican party or conservatism.
Mr. Steele sought to present a more youthful approach even down to his language. That didn’t go over well because nobody can credible speak youth jargon but the young and the language looses it’s affect as soon as someone outside that culture breaches its cultural bondaries. Then Mr. Steele equated his position to that of the President of the United State, current office holder not withstanding, no position is equilivant to the POTUS in substance and responsibility.
Mr. Steele speaks of defining the players in his party and where they stand on the issues of the day by making statements that will cause reactions so to gain a bearing. Perhaps unnecessary and as far as I can see yielded little profit.
So now where are we? a Democratic party with a majority, a recent defection from the Republican party who is neither embraced nor missed by either party, monumental problems that will threaten and redefine our society for years to come, and no one willing to call for a truse till at least we can get a handle on the pressing issues of the day. So far we have two Black men of substantial accomplishments at odds with each other, two political parties at odds with each other, and a growing crowd of social commentary onlookers salivating at the thought of this cultural train wreck.
A house divided will not …….Either we learn to live together as brothers or die as….. How can one point out a speck in a friends eye while ignoring the plank in……
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