by Mark Silva
"The era of apologizing for Republican mistakes of the past is now officially over,'' Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, told state party chairmen today at an assembly at a Potomac Riverfront convention center.
"We have turned the corner on regret, recrimination, self-pity and self-doubt,'' Steele said.
"The second turning point for our party is this. We are going to take the president head-on. The honeymoon is over,'' he said, addressing President Barack Obama's popularity, an "Obama phenomenon'' which the GOP should no longer fear. "The two-party system is making a comeback, and that comeback starts today.''
The party would be abandoning its responsibility, if it didn't speak out against profligate spending and other Democratic initiatives, he suggested, criticial of the big "left turn'' which the nation has taken with its new president.
"We are not going to be silent. We are going to speak up,'' the chairman said to applause in the hall. "We will not be afraid to agree with the president when we believe he is doing what is best for America, but neither will we be afraid to disagree with the president when we believe his actions are hurting our country''
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"Many have suggested that we have to be careful, that we have to tip-toe around President Obama, that we have to be careful not to take him on,'' Steele said. "The president is personally popular... Folks like him.. He's a great orator. His campaign style is wonderful... He's young, he's cool, he's hip, he's got a good looking family... what's not to like?
"There's only one problem,'' Steele said to more applause. "He's taking us in the wrong direction and bankrupting our country... We will and we must stand against his disastrous policy.... We're going to take this president on with class. We're going to take this president on with dignity,'' he said, deriding the "classless and shabby way'' that Democrats challenged former President George W. Bush.
Comments
Steele says he doesn't want to be classless and shabby just moments after he rattled off insults about Pelosi, who nobody likes, Reid, who nobody knows, Geithner, who nobody believes, and Frank, who nobody understands.
Steele also thinks that it's a "wonderful thing" that his version of change is being "delivered in a tea bag."
Nice work, Mikey.
Posted by: Mark @ News Corpse | May 19, 2009 2:03 PM
Uhh, when was this honeymoon exactly? When was it that the Republicans weren't vocal with their attacks on every Obama act? When was it that they cooperated with Obama?
Posted by: Nick | May 19, 2009 2:12 PM
I'm watching Michael Steele explain to his 20% base that the "Honeymoon is over" and the Repugs ( he has not once said DemocratIC Party)will stop cowering to a "Popular" President", with Unpopular Ideas. This guy is TOTALLY out there in another Universe. He is blaming Obama for 2 million job losses this year, like King George has NOTHING to do about where we stand today.
My main points are: 120 days of 3 total Repug votes on his main policy plans is a honeymoon?
And, basically, all our problems are DUE to the Honeymoon period of Obama's first 120 days.
Andrea has just called his speech "the Republican Manifesto" with all the positive intent(scorn) expressed in her voice, and Shays waging his tail "happily" after the speech. Shays even admitted to Andrea that there were NO NEW IDEAS in the speech.
Hell of a day to look forward( new policy suggestions) instead of backwards( total disdain, backed by LIES, againt Democrats everywhere.
This is going to be a great day to be a DEMOCRAT!!
Go Obama
Posted by: barkleyg | May 19, 2009 2:55 PM
"We are not going to be silent. We are going to speak up,'' the chairman Steele said to applause in the hall."
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Yes, keeping talking Steele!
As a Dem nothing would make me happier!
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http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/222214/march-19-2009/conservative-rap-battle---michael-steele-s-response
Posted by: ComeAsYouAre | May 19, 2009 3:02 PM
Uhh, when was this honeymoon exactly? When was it that the Republicans weren't vocal with their attacks on every Obama act? When was it that they cooperated with Obama?
Posted by: Nick | May 19, 2009 2:12 PM
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The "honeymoon" was over when the Republicans continued to exhibit chronic "lack of performance."
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I'd have some sympathy with them if it hadn't been the case that Republicans took EVERY opportunity they could to blast Clinton and Carter, ALL during Bush's term. As far as I'm concerned, "the era of apology" hasn't even STARTED for them. If they're babying out THIS easily, there's a whole lot of coffee for them to wake up and smell!
Posted by: Op109 | May 19, 2009 3:20 PM
First order of GOP business... you know, now that the honeymoon is over: Let's officially call the Democrats the "Democrat Socialist Party" Oh my, the era of new great GOP ideas has begun! Gee, what's next....waterboard someone for their lunch money? How childish. Good thing they decided to "stop apologizing" before they concluded that great policy debate.
Posted by: lmpub | May 19, 2009 3:24 PM
Flat Out Hilarious! You can fit the change the GOP would give us into a tea bag, is what I think Steele meant to say.
I guess that is why I can't understand the fundamental stoopidity of Steele, the RNC and the entire imploding Republican party of whackjobs.
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http://www.43rdstateblues.com/images/cat-dog-teabag.jpg
Posted by: former Republican | May 19, 2009 3:35 PM
So has the era of apologizing for Republican mistakes of the present now officially started?
Posted by: BC | May 19, 2009 4:13 PM
I think it is a great idea for the Republicans to change the name of the Democratic Party, but I believe the Democrats should change the Republicans to Republican Assholes. That sounds fair to me.
Posted by: Retiredron | May 19, 2009 4:34 PM
"We're going to take this president on with dignity,'' he said, deriding the "classless and shabby way'' that Democrats challenged former President George W. Bush."
Is that because Rove used his best attack strategies against McCain in the 2000 primaries?
Posted by: Lurk3r | May 19, 2009 4:39 PM
When you are broke, you must make something out of nothing. Point taken. The people of the USA are seeking tangible action and results and the GOP has only rhetoric to offer.
Mr. Steele has said that even his gaffes are intentional with underlying results. So keep your eyes open, the results from his early stumbles must be on the horizon. Yeah. Right. Sure.
The GOP needs an incumbent enema starting with Steele. Flush away your woes GOP.
Posted by: Jimors | May 19, 2009 4:51 PM
Steele is like a big circus elephant paraded out on stage for all to see. Well, there are some sharp differences actually. Elephants don't lie, possess much more common sense and are much wiser than the buffoon Steele is.
Posted by: Doug R. | May 19, 2009 4:55 PM
Socialism is fun compared to the feudalism the Republicans are offering America. And as far as honeymoons go, I'd like this one to last, because the last honeymoon America had with George Bush was just too too scary
Posted by: Dan Rains | May 19, 2009 5:17 PM
The GOPers apologize constantly - to LIMBAUGH!
But somehow, I don't think that's what Steele is referring to.
Posted by: John E | May 19, 2009 11:25 PM