you know, it bugs the crap out of me that people would think that’s why I like Steele. I’ve been a supporter of his since he was Lt Governor and I was still a MD native. He’s a great guy, he’s likable and he makes sense on the issues. Who gives shining hootey whether or not he’s black?

I know he is not an African American, but he announced on Fox this morning that he is throwing his hat in the ring for RNC Chair. He said he wants to go back to the way things were in 1994, and of course use modern technology. Going back to 1994—- I don’t want to go back to anything except conservative principles. Don’t think that message will resonate.

I don’t understand why we can’t embrace minorities who are good solid conservatives out of fear that we’ll be tagged with wanting to pursue tokenism.

It’s time we give voice to minorities in our party and stand behind them, the media is extremely hostile to black, hispanic and other minority Republicans.

Minorities are going to relate to someone who is like them, not some old white guy with white hair. We need to embrace blacks, hispanics, and women in our party.

in the selection of RNC chair. Personally, I could care less whether they are black, white, etc. I just want someone who reflects true conservatism and hasn’t been tinged by the pervasive moderate McCainism attitudes that have been so prevalent in the GOP in recent years. It really is pretty simple as I see things, so is this really too much to ask in the wake of 2 straight election debacles? We’ve gotten our butts kicked pretty severely, so it is time for us to take the hint from the electorate and get ourselves together as true conservatives.

I personally heard him loudly endorse Steele for RNC chair, so deciding to enter the race himself would be odd.

my husband has been down to GOPAC in DC to see how we can help him get this chairmanship and we and our two voting age sons have contacted the local Republican Party Chair here in VA and I will not donate one dime if it is not Steele…..he sees this for what it is…it is a young man’s game and an internet game and townhall meetings online with we the people. He is prolife and he is conservative…he speaks to the 3 legs and should have been RNC chair since 06!

This is not to denigrate any other contestant but I have been a Steele person since his run in MD.

Whoever has his enemy at his mercy &
does not destroy him is his own enemy

I don’t think any of the announced candidates are the right choice for the job. Mike Steele while an effective speaker has not proven to be an effective fundraiser or recruiter. Ken Blackwell lost badly in the Ohio governors race and has not been a local or state chair. Kanton Dawson is from South Carolina and eight years ago would have been the choice but I think that the republicans have to start rebuilding their base in the Middle West or Mountain West were democrats have done well. No disrespect to the south but we have to think forward. We also need a winner. Someone who knows how to win elections in purple states. Someone who can raise money, recruit talent and be an effective spokesperson for the party. As much as this is difficult to say, we have no Valerie Jarett or Penny Pritzer. We have no Bill Barton or even a Terry McAuliffe. Think about it, can a future republican party nominee look back and hire people from the George W. Bush administration the way Obama has hired former Clinton staffers. Our party needs to build for tomorrow. We need younger leaders at the local level. Respectfully we need some of the older folks to consider retirement. I believe that I read that Mark Cuban, Michael Dell, Dan Snyder (Owner Washington Redskins) and Aubrey McClendon (Owner Oklahoma Thunder)have supported republicans. We need high profile faces in the party. No disrepect to any of the candidates for RNC chair, but they seem to represent were the party has been and not were we need to go.

or for that matter Lynn Swann (though I still don’t know a whole lot out of his Gov PA run other than his celebrity). Never was impressed with Blackwell though. Regardless, anyone that thinks it “buys us something” because they are Black is deluded. Any/all will be met with “Uncle Tom” labels from the Liberals.

Fellow Conservatives made me sick with the last crop of arguments, rather lack-thereof, and absence of back-bonce. Eight White Males running for President of the Country through our Party WAS JUST FINE!!! BECAUSE OUR SIDE STANDS TO REPRESENT ALL PEOPLES regardless of gender/race. It was/is about Policy. Our “Eight White Guys” as we kept hearing repeated ALL cared more about ALL issues that effect any/all Families/Peoples. We know this, but yet the SILENCE was often deafening. Too many withered to the fear/threat of RACIST calls. DISGUSTING!!!

Can be all BLACK FEMALES running everything and as our candidates (if they have the CONSERVATIVE VALUES/IDEALS) for all I care… THE MESSAGE HAS TO BE THE SAME - IT IS ALWAYS ABOUT THE RIGHT/WRONG ISSUES NOT PANDERING!

Running against Obama gave us the perfect opportunity to drive home the MLK jr “content of character” issue but was just a big pass from many. Many minorities that voted for Obama, however, don’t care about that part of the speech - they were focused on the “Cash this Check” portion. That Never Find Out MLK ad was perfect on the topic and should have gotten more play. If 95% of the Black vote is always going to base their vote on Pandering (even over Race) than their vote isn’t worth attempting to garner.

I want to be colorblind about this, & I shall. I’ve supported Steele because of what I’ve been able to see & learn regarding his principles. Whether he, Blackwell, or whomever gets RNC chair, that person will be well advised to surroung himself with those who are strong in areas in which he is weak, regardless of skin color. That man or woman must be an unafraid, unapologetic, bold color conservative.

so where/why did the blacks get into the Dems? MLK’s niece is a member of the Black Republican National Assoc. Why does this all fly by everyone. Are there any blacks here that could explain that?

Diversity is a process, that should occur in a somewhat natural fashion of “like-minded,” but from a varied backgrounds/environments, coming together. Diversity is not a Mathematical formula, puzzle, or calculated mystical location/destination…. It is not to be feared, but nor is it to be embraced if only for the sake of some Politically Correct notion!

Diversity through some Affirmative Action process does not eliminate Racism, it only breeds it.

I want to clarify something I said further up this thread…. Color and/or Gender does not “buy anything,” I said. Sure, there are some that it means everything to still, we saw some of that in this last election. However, I mean to say that it DOES have some value, but only if it is an aside - it cannot be the “sole” (or main focus) value of the candidate/person in question or it becomes nothing but distraction.

MSlsd was out attacking Sarah Palin again this morning. The “willie” moron on “Morning Joe” in response to reporting a “Thank You ad” an organization put on the airwaves to Thank Sarah for providing Leadership/values to believe in said (paraphrasing): There are alot of people that will follow this woman over a cliff. We’ve already had the mindless ‘cult of personality’ candidate, and it was Barack Obama. Don’t expect us to allow you empty-heads to pull us over the cliff you intend to let him attempt to drag us over.

A native of Cincinnati who still lives just north of there, I have followed Ken Blackwell’s career since his days on Cincinnati City Council in the 70’s.

Blackwell would have been a terrific govenor of Ohio, and he would make a terrific RNC Chairman. This man is a true conservative of the Reagan type.

Let’s hope he gets it.