Now Michael Steele wants to talk about race? It’s not the “Race Card” it’s the “Late Card.”

“When I talk to senior Republicans in Washington and I ask, why is Michael Steele still on the job? they laugh and say, ‘What, you think we’re going to fire an African American in the age of Obama? Are you an idiot?’” ~ Joe Scarborough



Let’s get something straight. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele might sound like a crazy person on most days but on April 5th he finally was talking straight. On Good Morning America, Steele was asked if because he is an African American, he feels he has a slimmer margin for error than another Chairman would.


Steele’s answer was the following:

“It just is. Barack Obama has a slimmer margin. A lot of folks do. It means a different role for me to play and others to play and that’s just the reality of it. But you take that as a part of the nature of it. It’s more because you’re not someone they know. I’m not a Washington insider even though I grew up near D.C. My view on politics is much more grassroots-oriented, it’s not old boy network-oriented. So I tend to, you know, come at it a little bit stronger, a little bit more streetwise, if you will. That’s rubbed some feathers the wrong way.”


I don’t have a problem with what Steele said. I just think that he is a year late in saying it. The First Black (fill in the blank with any job position) is working with the slimmest of Margins. Do you think that any group/organization heavily made up with white folks welcomed the first black person with open arms? Black folks had to fight to sit in the front of the bus so why would it be any different to be the first head of an organization?


I guess what is shocking people is the fact that a Black Republican had the balls to speak out against the groupthink. But like most slaves when they speak out of turn, Steele is about to take a whipping. BUT!!! Don’t think that the next sentences will be my defense of Steele! I could care less about what happens to him. Although it is true that his skin color leaves little room for error, he still needed to bring his “A” game. As RNC Chairman, Steele has looked inept at every single turn. Every time he opens his mouth you don’t know what might come out. His lack of tact is stunning for a politician of his experience. I thought he was going to be a breath of fresh air for a stale organization. I thought he would steer the party in a different direction. Boy was I wrong!! Steele’s Chairmanship has been a case of the cart leading the horse. I wish I could say he was going to complete a full term but I can’t. The Republicans will eventually get tired of him and will cut their losses. I will respectfully have to disagree with Mr. Scarborough. His blackness is not going to keep him from joining the ranks of the unemployed.