The Republicans are hurting in national and state politics. Opinion polls consistently reveal that voters are skeptical of the Republican brand. The 2008 election marked the second consecutive cycle in which voters preferred Democratic contenders for Congress and in gubernatorial elections. Finally, after occupying the White House for the last eight years (and all but 12 out of the last 40), Republicans have ceded presidential power to the Democrats as well, and they even lost a few southern states in the process.
The Republicans need new direction and a savvy plan to regroup, and yesterday, they chose Michael Steele as their new leader. Michael Steele is the former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, and he is the first black to chair the RNC. Steele attended Johns Hopkins University and Georgetown University Law Center. For years he worked in the DC office of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen and Hamilton, a prestigious New York-based law firm with offices in many other countries. [Editor's Note: I worked at the New York office of Cleary Gottlieb after graduating from law school.]
Predictably, Steele Has Sent Liberals into Attack-Mode
My fellow liberals are already in attack mode. They are, indeed, Palinizing him (to Palinize). Some liberal websites report that he "exploited" homeless people. Others say that he is too close to Bush and that he is homophobic. The MotherJones blog has a picture of him posing with Rush Limbaugh. Although it looks like a cheesy "say cheese" picture taken at a fundraiser or other random political event, readers believe it shows that Steele is a reactionary.
But most of the liberal critiques of Steele argue or imply that he is a "token." Even readers at OpenLeft (one of my favorite blogs) have advanced this idea. Apparently, now that the Democrats have FINALLY elected a black person as president, they feel empowered to disparage blacks they do not like as tokens.
Democrats Should Not Feel Too Comfortable Attacking Steele
Despite having a relatively liberal stance on civil rights, Democrats have not always given black political interests priority. Presently, the party has not really addressed any race-specific social or economic concerns (some even doubt that such exist). I imagine that having Obama as president will obviate the need for the party to do anything race-specific. Obama campaigned as the post-racial first black president, and blacks will probably give him wide latitude to do absolutely anything (or nothing) related to racial issues.
And while the Republicans deservedly suffer a bad reputation among people of color, Dubya appointed Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell as Secretary of State -- the highest Cabinet position -- which beats Obama's performance. Perhaps they were tokens -- but at they were tokens with power.
Steele's Task: Make the Republicans Moderate and Libertarian
Although I am a liberal, I strongly believe in the concept of an "opposition party," even when Democrats are in control. Personally, I find both parties lacking -- individually and collectively. Discarding either one of them will not benefit voters. So, despite my opposition to most conservative issues, I would like to see the Republican Party remain politically "viable." At a minimum, a strong opposition party (or parties) could give voters other options and effectuate changes in policy.
Although I disagree with most of Steele's political positions, I believe the Republicans made the right choice. Americans love symbols (just ask Obama), and Steele, if given the proper support from the party, can allow Republicans to remake their image. Steele will not send blacks to the Republican Party in droves, but that is not the purpose of selecting him. Instead, if he can improve the party's overall image, then moderate whites might feel comfortable with Republicans once again. Blacks have been solid Democratic voters since FDR. Unless something catastrophic occurs, this will not change in the near future.
Symbolism alone, however, will not save the GOP. Instead, Republicans will need to take more moderate political stances in order to woo independent voters who abandoned the GOP in favor of Obama. If Steele pushes the party more deeply into the direction of rightwing philosophy, particularly on social issues and international affairs, then it will remain an outsider party.
Steele's task, though difficult, is not impossible. Prior to Ronald Reagan's presidency, Republicans were fairly moderate on most issues. Also, a populist agenda that focuses on economic concerns rather than seeking to invade the bedrooms of GLBT people or the wombs of pregnant women, could help the party attract moderate voters, without sacrificing too many supporters in the Midwest and South. And despite Obama's strong victory, he barely won states like Florida, Virginia, and Indiana. A more attractive Republican candidate could certainly shake up the next presidential race.
Steele will need to "negotiate" with the more conservative elements of the party. If the party can redefine conservatism along the lines of libertarianism and consistently embrace a hands-off approach to government, then the GOP might appeal to moderates. Convincing social conservatives that this shift would accomplish more for them politically than dismantling Roe or preventing Adam and Steve from marrying is one of Steele's most difficult tasks. Good luck.
The Republicans need new direction and a savvy plan to regroup, and yesterday, they chose Michael Steele as their new leader. Michael Steele is the former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, and he is the first black to chair the RNC. Steele attended Johns Hopkins University and Georgetown University Law Center. For years he worked in the DC office of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen and Hamilton, a prestigious New York-based law firm with offices in many other countries. [Editor's Note: I worked at the New York office of Cleary Gottlieb after graduating from law school.]
Predictably, Steele Has Sent Liberals into Attack-Mode
My fellow liberals are already in attack mode. They are, indeed, Palinizing him (to Palinize). Some liberal websites report that he "exploited" homeless people. Others say that he is too close to Bush and that he is homophobic. The MotherJones blog has a picture of him posing with Rush Limbaugh. Although it looks like a cheesy "say cheese" picture taken at a fundraiser or other random political event, readers believe it shows that Steele is a reactionary.
But most of the liberal critiques of Steele argue or imply that he is a "token." Even readers at OpenLeft (one of my favorite blogs) have advanced this idea. Apparently, now that the Democrats have FINALLY elected a black person as president, they feel empowered to disparage blacks they do not like as tokens.
Democrats Should Not Feel Too Comfortable Attacking Steele
Despite having a relatively liberal stance on civil rights, Democrats have not always given black political interests priority. Presently, the party has not really addressed any race-specific social or economic concerns (some even doubt that such exist). I imagine that having Obama as president will obviate the need for the party to do anything race-specific. Obama campaigned as the post-racial first black president, and blacks will probably give him wide latitude to do absolutely anything (or nothing) related to racial issues.
And while the Republicans deservedly suffer a bad reputation among people of color, Dubya appointed Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell as Secretary of State -- the highest Cabinet position -- which beats Obama's performance. Perhaps they were tokens -- but at they were tokens with power.
Steele's Task: Make the Republicans Moderate and Libertarian
Although I am a liberal, I strongly believe in the concept of an "opposition party," even when Democrats are in control. Personally, I find both parties lacking -- individually and collectively. Discarding either one of them will not benefit voters. So, despite my opposition to most conservative issues, I would like to see the Republican Party remain politically "viable." At a minimum, a strong opposition party (or parties) could give voters other options and effectuate changes in policy.
Although I disagree with most of Steele's political positions, I believe the Republicans made the right choice. Americans love symbols (just ask Obama), and Steele, if given the proper support from the party, can allow Republicans to remake their image. Steele will not send blacks to the Republican Party in droves, but that is not the purpose of selecting him. Instead, if he can improve the party's overall image, then moderate whites might feel comfortable with Republicans once again. Blacks have been solid Democratic voters since FDR. Unless something catastrophic occurs, this will not change in the near future.
Symbolism alone, however, will not save the GOP. Instead, Republicans will need to take more moderate political stances in order to woo independent voters who abandoned the GOP in favor of Obama. If Steele pushes the party more deeply into the direction of rightwing philosophy, particularly on social issues and international affairs, then it will remain an outsider party.
Steele's task, though difficult, is not impossible. Prior to Ronald Reagan's presidency, Republicans were fairly moderate on most issues. Also, a populist agenda that focuses on economic concerns rather than seeking to invade the bedrooms of GLBT people or the wombs of pregnant women, could help the party attract moderate voters, without sacrificing too many supporters in the Midwest and South. And despite Obama's strong victory, he barely won states like Florida, Virginia, and Indiana. A more attractive Republican candidate could certainly shake up the next presidential race.
Steele will need to "negotiate" with the more conservative elements of the party. If the party can redefine conservatism along the lines of libertarianism and consistently embrace a hands-off approach to government, then the GOP might appeal to moderates. Convincing social conservatives that this shift would accomplish more for them politically than dismantling Roe or preventing Adam and Steve from marrying is one of Steele's most difficult tasks. Good luck.
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