Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele on GOP Embarrassments, Afghanistan, and Health Care

Strategic Insights -

The latest embarrassment for the Republican Party has come in the form of two regional GOP officials using an anti-Jewish stereotype to praise Senator Jim DeMint. The comments, which were published in a South Carolina newspaper, have sparked a wave of denunciations from within and outside the party. Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele condemned the comments, calling them "silly" and "ridiculous," and acknowledged that they were a mistake.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Republican Party officials used an anti-Jewish stereotype to praise Senator Jim DeMint, which was widely condemned by the party and Jewish leaders.
  • The comments sparked a wave of denunciations, with several prominent Republicans, including Senator DeMint himself, criticizing the remarks.
  • Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele apologized for the comments, saying they were a mistake and calling them "silly" and "ridiculous."
  • Steele also defended President Obama's decision to take his time consulting with military commanders and intelligence officials before making a decision on sending thousands of troops to Afghanistan.
  • Steele expressed concerns about the US approach to Iran, saying that the US should be cautious in its dealings with the country and not give them an opportunity to "embolden" themselves.
  • On health care reform, Steele expressed skepticism about the idea of a public option, saying that he doesn't trust the poll numbers and believes that the question lends itself to a yes vote for the public option.

Statistics:

  • 57% of Americans support the idea of a public option, according to a Washington Post/ABC News poll.
  • 40% of Americans oppose the idea of a public option, according to the same poll.
  • The comments by the two Republican Party officials were published in a South Carolina newspaper on October 30, 2009.

Sources:

  • CNN's "The Situation Room" with Wolf Blitzer
  • The Washington Post/ABC News poll on health care reform
  • Federal News Service transcript of Michael Steele's interview with Wolf Blitzer