NRCC Pushes Back Against "stupid" Steele Over 2010 Pessimism, GOP Operatives Furious

[jefferson_dem]

:spray:



NRCC Pushes Back Against Steele Over 2010 Pessimism, GOP Operatives Furious
First Posted: 01- 5-10 10:26 AM | Updated: 01- 5-10 10:42 AM

Republican operatives are privately furious with RNC Chairman Michael Steele for predicting on Monday night that the GOP will not take over the House of Representatives in 2010.

One strategist called the comment "stupid," arguing that it will put the party in a bind when it comes to candidate recruitment and generally lower expectations and excitement over the 2010 elections. Others, who refused to go on the record, lamented the inevitable follow-up questions that would be asked to Republicans, such as: do you agree with the sentiments of the RNC Chairman?

And, sure enough, on Tuesday, the National Congressional Campaign Committee released a statement in which it basically slapped down Steele for his electoral prognostication.

"The NRCC's goal -- as the campaign arm of the House Republican Conference -- has always been to recapture the majority in 2010," said Ken Spain, press secretary for the committee. "Independent political analysts and even liberal columnists have stated that Republicans have a very real shot at taking back the majority in 2010. Make no mistake about it, we are playing to win."

It is extremely rare to see two campaign committees on such different pages when it comes to messaging. Steele was able to survive a rocky start to his tenure at the RNC. But the grumbling never fully died down -- and his remarks on Sean Hannity's radio show Monday night have only exacerbated the situation.

"I can't give a number yet, because like I said, we're just now beginning to look at the races," Steele said. Asked if Republicans will take back the House, he confessed: "Not this year."

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/05/nrcc-pushes-back-against_n_411624.html

[Renew Deal]

1. He was honest.

It's not going to happen. :shrug:

[Godhumor]

2. Ah, but now the repubs have a convenient scapegoat for when they don't take over

Everything can be Steele's fault if 2010 is a disaster for their party.

[Jennicut]

3. Steele was being a realist. There is almost no way to win back the House.

Over 79 seats?

[damntexdem]

4. Way to go, GOP: keep fighting each other!

You've learned the old Democratic Party circular-firing-squad methods. Now go on and perfect them!

;-)

[Brother Buzz]

5. Steele really is stupid, Honest Injun

"Honest Injun," GOP Needs No Modernizing, Steele Says

By Michael McAuliff

The Republican Party needs no modernizing — “Honest injun on that!” says Michael Steele.

Media Matters points out that bit of irony this morning, having been eagerly following the launch of the Republican Party chairman’s book tour, hoping for gaffes.

In case the RNC misses the point, here’s the Urban Dictionary on “injun.”

Here’s the whole quote from Fox’s Hannity show:

HANNITY: There are those that are saying for the Republican Party to be successful, they’ve gotta quote be more modern.

STEELE: No, no! But that’s what’s gotten us into trouble, when we walked away from principle. Our platform is one of the best political documents that’s been written in the last 25 years. Honest Injun on that.

And somehow, it scans better with the visual, with Steele raising his right hand in a Lone Ranger-era “How!” sign.

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dc/2010/01/honest-injun-gop-needs-no-mode.html