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March 13, 2009
Michael Steele Interview With GQ
Steele: Abortion an 'individual choice''
In an interview with GQ, Michael Steele called abortion an "individual choice" and said the question should be left to the states.
Steele describes himself as pro-life and has in the past backed both state bans and a constitutional amendment against abortion. Under fire during his campaign on the question, he sat for an interview with the Washington Times, and said he "favors state regulation on abortion, and supports the Republican party's platform that calls for a constitutional ban on abortion," though he called himself "skeptical" on the question of amending the Constitution.
It's unclear if Steele's new remarks, in which he also later suggested that the choice he referred to was a state-level choice, not actually an "individual choice," as he said in the interview, were intended to represent a change in his position.
Steele's aides have complained in the past that his words have been misinterpreted or taken out of context, so here's the full context for the abortion remarks:
How much of your pro-life stance, for you, is informed not just by your Catholic faith but by the fact that you were adopted?
Oh, a lot. Absolutely. I see the power of life in that—I mean, and the power of choice! The thing to keep in mind about it… Uh, you know, I think as a country we get off on these misguided conversations that throw around terms that really misrepresent truth.
Explain that.
The choice issue cuts two ways. You can choose life, or you can choose abortion. You know, my mother chose life. So, you know, I think the power of the argument of choice boils down to stating a case for one or the other.
Are you saying you think women have the right to choose abortion?
Yeah. I mean, again, I think that’s an individual choice.
You do?
Yeah. Absolutely.
Are you saying you don’t want to overturn Roe v. Wade?
I think Roe v. Wade—as a legal matter, Roe v. Wade was a wrongly decided matter.
Okay, but if you overturn Roe v. Wade, how do women have the choice you just said they should have?
The states should make that choice. That’s what the choice is. The individual choice rests in the states.Let them decide.
Wild Thing's comment........
???? HUH? He sounds confused to say the least. From this I have no idea what Steele believes in. But here is what I believe ....I don't believe in: a party leader who is an incoherent mushbabbler. I didn't support Steele for VP and I didn't support him for party chair. You know why? I didn't think he has the intellectual horsepower for the job, and I didn't trust his commitment to conservatism. He's demonstrating both of those reasons.
The rest of the interview is even worse! I read the entire interview and here is my take on it.
First he curses up a storm opening up the interview by saying Aw, s***. Then he says he liked Dean Martin because he just didn’t give a f***.(True, I have worked with Dean Martin and he had a very relaxed persona, so true what Michael says, but is that the kind of thing the National chairman should be saying, that kind of language) I am not bothered by the F word and it adds impact when necessary, but to use it like Michael has and in an interview with the position he has been elected too, well it is not right.
Then he says he liked Sinatra and Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr and the Pack Rats, at which point the writer corrects him and says “you mean the Rat Pack?”
Also he pretty much says that he voted for Carter before seemingly realizing what he was saying midway through and with the help of the writer he backtracked and said he thought about voting for Carter but in the end “probably” voted for Ford. He also says it was his first vote for President.
He is full of it. No one forgets who their first vote for President was for, or any vote for that matter, but especially their first. Just make up your mind Michael and stick to it, stop trying to be a people pleaser.
On the plus side, he does defend Gov Palin and Rush Limbaugh, although he then demeans Rush by basically equating him with Al Franken. A huge insult.
In the interview he calls Rush and Ann Coulter “bomb-throwers”. Again, in a post 9/11 world, not exactly the best word choice.
He does make some good points about Obama stiffing him when he was first elected to the Senate and being the only black guy to campaign against him in 2006.
I don't think any of us expect perfection in anyone, I know I don't, I am far from perfect. I don't expect our leaders or those that represent us to say everything perfectly without any mistakes. But this really is not even about perfection. This is about a man that so far cannot have one good interview, one good day of doing or saying the right thing for our party. Very concerning to say the least. The saying is, a broken clock is right twice a day, so far Michael needs to step up to even be that broken clock.
....Thank you Mark for sending this to me.
Mark
3rd Mar.Div. 1st Battalion 9th Marine Regiment
1/9 Marines aka The Walking Dead
VN 66-67
Posted by Wild Thing at March 13, 2009 05:45 AM
Comments
In his interview with Hughley, he nods his head in agreement with Hughley equates the Republican convention with a gathering of Nazi's.
I was hoping Steele would be a breath of fresh air for the RNC but it seems he's trying to walk on both sides of the fence.
Posted by: BobF at March 13, 2009 08:04 AM
Ken Blackwell, Republican candidate for Governor of Ohio, (He lost to a democrat) supported Steele for the RNC, responded to Steele's latest venture into liberal land, saying, "Chairman Steele needs to reread the Bible, the U.S. Constitution and the 2008 GOP Platform. He then needs to get to work -- or get out of the way."
So where is the republican leadership in this country. As Rush says he is the last man standing. Apparently, Obama sees this too, there is no republican leadership, they get rid of Limbaugh and their problems are solved.
Posted by: Mark at March 13, 2009 08:59 AM
I think that a term as chairman of the RNC would be a good prerequisite for a President or Vice-presidency candidate. I would now not vote for Steele for either job, whereas before, based on his TV time and praise from Conservatives I would have. Nothing shows true character like his own words have.
Posted by: horace at March 13, 2009 10:47 AM
Correcting my previous comment: A term or partial term as chairman...
He's had the job long enough. Sack him now! There are commenters on this blog who would be better chairmen (chair-persons).
Posted by: horace at March 13, 2009 10:52 AM
Steele is failing in his job. Maybe that is accurate representation of the RNC.
Posted by: TomR at March 13, 2009 12:53 PM
Yep, I guess I need to rethink how I feel about Steele.
Posted by: cuchieddie-25th ID Vet at March 13, 2009 03:54 PM
BobF., I was hoping so too, I have seen him on talks show in the past and he was good. It is almost as though once he got this new position he fell apart or the real guy showed up not sure.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 13, 2009 06:50 PM
Mark, thank you for sharing about Ken Blackwell and what he has said.
I agree and I hate that we have to face what is coming and not have a ray of strength at the end of this nightmare tunnel.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 13, 2009 06:54 PM
Horace, it is sad to see this man self destruct like he is. No one is putting his words in his mouth and I agree he has to go.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 13, 2009 06:57 PM
Horace this is so true!!!
"Nothing shows true character like his own words have."
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 13, 2009 07:00 PM
Tom, haha yes it sure seems to be.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 13, 2009 07:03 PM
cuchieddie-25th ID Vet, Iam just so surprised at the things he has been saying, it really is like another Michael Steele has shown up. weird.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 13, 2009 07:05 PM
