WASHINGTON (CNN) – Capping off a day of conservative soul-searching, strategizing and navel-gazing at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele announced Thursday that the Grand Old Party is “alive and well.”
Steele, addressing CPAC’s Presidential Banquet, told the audience that “the conservative movement must become a revolution,” and the goal “must be nothing less than the transformation of America.”
“Tonight, we tell America that Republican values, conservative values, are right for America,” he said, admitting that the party has made some mistakes. “Tonight, we tell America: we know the past, we know we did wrong. My bad. But we go forward in appreciation of the values that brought us to this point.”
To much applause, Steele attacked the Obama administration’s recently-passed stimulus package, calling it “nothing short of frightening.” He said conservatives must use the political moment to re-assert their belief in a set of basic principles: limited government, freedom, opportunity and the ability of the free market to “create, innovate and prosper.”
November’s losses, he contended, should not be a discouragement.
“I am here tonight to reject the idea that defeats of the past are a repudiation of core conservative values and principles,” he said. “Nor do I believe that those defeats are a sign of things to come.”
The former Maryland Lt. Governor took a moment to honor two of his former rivals for the RNC chairmanship who were in attendance, former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell and Michigan GOP chairman Saul Anuzis.
Steele began his speech by needling Anuzis, who ran for the post on a platform of upgrading the party’s technological savvy.
“Alright Saul, stop Twittering,” he cracked.
As he concluded his remarks, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann - the event's moderator - told Steele he was “da man.”
“Michael Steele! You be da man! You be da man,” she said.
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gop, come back after 2012 or 2080, when the country is better off.
**As Steele concluded his remarks, Minnesota Rep. Michelle Bachmann — the evening’s moderator — told Steele he was “da man.”
“Michael Steele! You be da man! You be da man,” she said.
In the words of Aretha "Chain . . . Chain . . .Chain . . Chain of Fools!"
"my bad" seriously?!
GOP is FAIL
"Steele" an idiot
Wow how ignorant is that? You be da man? What the heck? Sounds to me like a bunch of idiots. Do they really think blacks and latinos are that stupid? They surely are making fools out of themselves. The rappers are laughing at them. They are not going to fall for the gimmicks and soon they are going to start calling them on it. Just watch how Nas comes out attacking and put them right back into place. Stupid.
Michael Steele, Bobby "Mr. Rogers" Jindal, and Sarah Palin are all being used by the Grumpy, Old, Republican Party.
That's right all you Republicans need to keep Beleiving that and every thing will be okay for the demacratic party for decades to come.
These people should stop smoking weed.
Republicans will be elected, only if they get back to their core conservative values and principles.
You bet the Republican Party is just fine! Obama won by just 7% of the vote - that is NOT a mandate by any stretch of the imagination - and HE KNOWS IT.
The tide will shortly change. Americans understand Obama's "welfare agenda" - and they won't take it much longer!!!!!!!!!!!!
COUNT ON IT!!!!!!!!
"Michael Steele you be da man"!! So I guess now the GOP thinks diversity means you talk like you're from "DA HOOD"!! I am trying to get admiration for the GOP at attempting some sort of diversity, but
Micheal Steele with his "off the hook" hip-hop antics to me is no better than Mantan Moreland or Stephen Fletchit. I think that President Obama and his wife set a better example for young African Amercans who want to growup in the mainstream of being educated than both Keyes and Steele are putting out there.
Hurry 2010 ! Hurry, please hurry.
The republican party these guys speak of is that of Michelle Bachmann... scary.
Mr. Steele,
“I am here tonight to reject the idea that defeats of the past are a repudiation of core conservative values and principles..." What else is a defeat saying to you? That we loved your ideas, just not your suite? If the American people would have thought that you could have helped they would have voted GOP! As long as you let the far right run your party I won't vote for you. Come closer to the center and we will talk.
The offer is on the table.
Thanks,
USA
Michael Steele and Michelle Bachman.
What an anti-intellectual duo.
Perfect for the current GOP Party...oops...I mean...cult.
He's clearly delusional ... the Republican Party ... the blind being led by the blind.
I agree, they are fine stupid Idiots.
By the way...I am tired of hearing Republicans say that Dems of the past caused this crisis(Carter, Clinton anybody?). Really? Do some research...the GOP has been in power roughly 20 years to the Dems. roughly 13 years (I was born in 1979). Since I have been alive you have been running the show. You are not going to convince me that Dems. have done more harm in 13 than the Reps. did in 20. If you couldn't fix these "major problems" the Dems caused in those extra 7 years you had (almost two terms!) then your ideas aren't just out of touch, you are incompetent!
Does he really knows what fine is? LoL
"The republican party is just fine" Right!
An interesting couple of camera shots during Obamas speech on Tuesday. Both were close-ups, one was of Mitch McConnel and the other McCain, in each case Pres. Obama had just made a point and in each instance both McConnel and McCain leaned to their right and spoke out of the side of their mouth to the person sitting next to them, then got up and did the 'token gesture' clap. I never could trust anyone who talks out of the side of their mouth. Still 'Old boys' doing the same old thing, those guys would stab anyone in the back to retain their positions, even the entire country. Those are the only traditional Republican values I am aware of.
The problem is, the majority of Americans don't believe that the Conservative Platform is right for this country. Yes, we all think pieces of it are fine, but unless the Grand OLD party can come to the middle, and except that the majority of Americans don't agree with them, then they will become like the dinosaurs....
Of course, a small group of Conservatives don't believe in Dinosaurs... so... what can else can be said about them....
Moderates will rule the day.... and the Republican Party is running off the Moderates....
These are the same neocons who rubberstamped everything Bush/Cheney/Rove wanted, and they are equally responsible for the mess America is in. Only the rhetoric has changed. "My bad" indeed.
Once, when I was in a car accident, I totalled my car. It was my fault. I was driving too fast. But despite that , a good semaritan stopped and helped me. He called the ambulance, he called my husband. My car was totalled, but I escaped injury.
What did I do – I THANKED HIM FOR TRYING TO HELP ME GET OUT OF THE MESS I CREATED! Instead of insulting him, telling him is ideas are no good, I wish the Republican Party would know the word: HUMBLE.
Alright, the Republicans swelled heads has finally become swelled brains. Da Man ain't goin' to get the real republicans...what the heck do they think their doing? I am certain that most midwest folks are disgusted or confused by this dude
Obama's proposed "smart government", "government works for people". GOP still tries to promote old "limited government" which means "do-nothing" government. Then it is hard to explain to American people why they let Bush double the national debt to 11 trillions and have two wars without supervision from congress. Well, I guess they can all blame Democrats.
Mr. Steele you need oxygen. From where I sit your party is in deep dodo. You absolutely have no one who knows any thing about anything. I am a Republican and I and ashamed and shocked at what I am hearing and seeing from the Republican party. I am jumping ship–this feels like I am on the Titanic
Tonight, we tell America that Republican values, conservative values, are right for America,” he said. “ I disagree and so do most American!
If so, why are you Republicans continue to lose sets.
Just fine. Or as John McCain would put it "The fundimentals are strong". A little advice: stop being pot-holes on the road to economic recovery.
Bachmann, Steele, Palin, Jindahl...the Republican party is just fine...ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha and HA!
"my Bad" "you da Man" ughh God do they really have to keep trying to do this urban appeal garbage?
I can't stop laughing! This is a joke, right?
Steele's ignorance is obviously spreading to the rest of the GOP..."you be da man"...ignorant
Republican values? You mean self-righteous, narrow-minded, bigotry?
"We know the past, we know we did wrong"
Then why do you want to repeat it so badly?
Wow, what a terrible thing to say.
So you have a black chairman and you use Ebonics to talk to him. Yeah, the Republicans have come a long, long way–NOT.
The Republican party showered their values upon the American people leaving the nation where it is today. You know what they say about people who do the same thing, but expect a different result. Next time, the fish won't be biting – they don't like the bait.
are they trying to talk like young people like me?
WOW, WEIRD!!!!
i think instead of talking like the new generation, they should start thinking and listening to the new generation!
so you guys are saying that the government shouldnt be helping people get back on there feet? that if we wait, they'll just stand back up? well they cant! the big businesses are holding them down!!!
can you blame them? youve been telling them that they need to compete, well, guess what, the small bussiness down the street is competing with WALMART!!! those guys need a boost, and even if you lower taxes on them, the big guys still got an arsenal of tricks up their sleeve to make sure the small guy cant compete with them.
the free market nowadays is a slaughterhouse. give the little guy a chance.
stimulate the little guy, a $60 tax cut isnt gonna help him
regulation is there for a reason!
Just fine? Are you kidding me?
I am no longer certain what Republican values are, but I can say that they are not the values that I grew up with in the Republican party. They remind me of failed parties of the past that went to far right and did not have the common sense to come back to the nations values.
Grand old party ye ? Old alright.
This Steel guy is a joke.
Why the Reps elected him? because he has black skin colour,
why Palin,because of Hilary and
why Jindal -because of immigrants.
Are they following on the foot steps of Democrats?
Do they have any thing original?
I know -they can criticize.
They are partying in DC-.electing a hopeful- for what?
Doom & Gloom
He's got to be kidding...when the Republicans controlled the White House for eight years, and Congress for six years, they fought AGAINST basic freedoms, dramatically ENLARGED government and made it far more intrusive, and the only ones to "prosper and innovate" were Halliburton, Black Water and the oil companies they were in bed with. Do they really think that our memories are THAT short?!
Living in a dream world, Steele. Wake up and smell reality.
Who is he trying to kid?
You be da man, Michael Steele? Holy crap!! This is worse than being tossed oreo cookies in your 2002 gubernatorial debate. I would love what you have to say about this on Hannity, you spineless hack. Is this is your pathetic attempt at being hip, or are you that out of touch? Michael Steele you are the Token of the Week.
I watch faithfully looking forward to that special day when your chickens, come home, to rooooossst.
As a loyal Republican it is unfortunate that Mr. Steele is ensnared in a campaign finance probe which will probably end in his resignation from the RNC position.
"we know the past, we know we did wrong..." If so, what was it you did wrong? I don't hear any Republicans admitting anything. They are falling back on the same old rhetoric of cutting taxes and spending. There are times to spend, and times to cut. I didn't hear any complaining from them about Bush's budgets. They (they who brought us "balanced budget amendments") are perfectly all right with deficit spending as long as we are bombing some third world country. They are not Americans. They fear the Bill of Rights. For eight years, they crapped on the Constitution. I wonder how many Republicans have been practicing deficit spending in their own households lo these many years. And they talk about values? They are hypocrites.
I'm sorry, but I don't see how the party which stands for government dictation of who is allowed to get married and what a woman can do with her own body is the party of 'limited government' and 'freedom'.
Why did the RNC chose the Louisania Governor to give the rebuttal speech the other night? Shouldn't it had been you? Already they are showing you how they really feel about their token leader.
Get a clue and step down...
Indeed just fine and not refined!
**********************************************************************
...“the conservative movement must become a revolution,” and the goal “must be nothing less than the transformation of America.”...
conservative values, are right for America,” he said. “Tonight, we tell America: we know the past, we know we did wrong. My bad. But we go forward in appreciation of the values that brought us to this point.”
***********************************************************************
Oh, my goodness....what pray tell, will you transform America into? Why suh, whateva do you mean?......... Scarlet wants to know.
"the values that brought us to this point?"
Are you saying that you are going forward in appreciation of the "values" of mean-spirited, opposition to everything Democratic? Are you going forward in your "values" of tainting and misrepresenting the truth in your propaganda-laden statements?
All the tactics, strategies, lies from your candidates, that have brought you to this point, are those the "values" that you appreciate, and will go forward with from this point? "My bad?" Ha, Ha, Haaaaaaaaaaaa.
Bravo, sir! You're doing a heck of a job!
This article has made my evening. I will drift off to sleep with a good joke upon which to muse.
read what the left writes and know that they are scared because this is exactly what the republican party has needed for a long time – a straight talking, no bull, black man! they think o;bama is their meshiah but that a black republican is an uncle tom – what hypocrites!
As Steele concluded his remarks, Minnesota Rep. Michelle Bachmann — the event's moderator — told Steele he was “da man.”
“Michael Steele! You be da man! You be da man,” she said.
Wow; You conservatives are sure off to a GREAT start.
"You be da man"?
Give me a break.
The Republican party is not "just fine". "Just delluded" is more like it. They go on and on and on about whats being done wrong, and yet, they had a Conservative President for 8 years. All of this "stuff" didn't just happen January 20th. But to hear them talk it certainly seems like it.
Heres a clue Republicans: Most Americans don't like you guys. And that was VERY apparent in this past election. Obama didn't just squeeze out a victory...He SOUNDLY defeated McCain. There was absolutely no doubt...and no need for a recount.
Heres a bottom line for you guys...GET A CLUE. Most Americans don't share that same amount of wealth you guys have. Most of us don't have hundreds of thousands of dollars. And it's not because we're lazy or incompetant. We're hard working, decent people. We're just not the wealthiest 1%! So when you guys plan things, you have include us too. The NOT-AS-RICH-AS-YOU Americans. Until you can GET THAT...get comfortable sitting over there by yourselves trying to figure out a way to attract voters.
Oh...and one more thing. If you're so against what you call the "out of control, porky spending bill"....if it's at all humanly possible and within the law: DON'T TAKE THE MONEY. Just let the people in your states continue to struggle until YOU can come up with better idea.
the republicans are beyond belief coming out every single day taking down President Obama on every issue he tries to improve that THEY CREATED!!!!
Where were their loud boisterous voices when this mess was being created by the Bush Admin!!!!!!! Oh and that goes for the talking heads who take Obama down every day too like wind bag Rush and Coulter etc etc
Do you think the american people are stupid!!!!!
Change your tune and maybe just maybe your status will improve
How in the name of God could any of you improve this mess when YOU are the ones responsible for it!!!!!!
Gimmicks are all they have.
You know, I think this is down right f'ing sad. This country needs intelligent and thoughtful alternatives. Although I am a Democrat, a strong opposition with powerful ideas is a good thing. Where are the ideas here? What has become of our democracy???
Forget bipartisanship. Do we really want these people to have a say in anything ???
Ridiculous. This just makes me mad.
First he want to be Hip Hop now da man. Set down you token!
The Grand Old Party is “alive and well” sounds a lot like "the economy is basically strong". Famous last words?
GOPer ebonics? Someone please tell them that babbling dumb ideas in an inappropriate and mildly offensive gibberish mangling of the English language doesn't make the dumb ideas sound better...PLEASE!
“the conservative movement must become a revolution,” and the goal “must be nothing less than the transformation of America.”
Translation: Keep buying the guns y'all...we'll keep claiming it's about fear over the 2nd Amendment to cover you. See you at this weekend's pseudo-militia daycamp!
Most republicans that I know can't stand the party anymore and are leaning either libertarian or independent. You Mr. Steele continue to put nails in the coffin. Keep it coming, you're making it to easy for us.
What's astounding here is that Republicans are essentially saying, "we know we scammed you America, gives us a second chance and we won't scam you again.... trust us this time". Do they really think people are that stupid?
If this man doesn't see the past election as a repudiation of conservative "principles", he's just as delusional as the former leader of their movement, George Bush.
The GOP is regressive. Jindal and Palin are leading the march backwards, with Limbaugh providing support. These are the signs of things to come, but Steele probably doesn't see them either.
So let me get this straight????? The GOP keep pushing us to believe that the Obama administration is bordering on socialism, and now Steele says their conservative movement MUST become a revolution??? So now I know – Mike Steele must be related to Fidel!! The Grand Ole Party as we once knew it is DEAD!!! Ronald Reagan would be completely ashamed of the behavior of ALL of these ignorant, self-serving, and selfish people!! An American Revolution????? HA
Mr. Steele is the biggest idiot on the planet. If he thinks the red neck right is going to follow him, i have a bridge for sale. Where has all the fiscal conervatives been the last 8 years while Bush was in office. Were the hiding?
Michelle Bachmann saying "..be da man." That's hilarious. Yeah, the Republican Party is "off the hook, baby." lol
These gimmicks keep getting more & more absurd.
Repukes should be banned from this country and deported. That would be "just fine" for true and loyal Americans!
The republican party will be fine if it stops trying to look like the democrat party to get elected. Move back to the right and give us a choice in 2012.
So is Flavor Flav hosting the GOP?
I am a registered Republican who voted Democrat in this election. As long as the GOP continues to pander to the far right I will not be supporting it. Most of the Republicans I know, including myself and my husband, and many of our friends and neighbors are more moderate in many of our beliefs. The party as it is organized now is not inclusive regardless of its new leadership and how it appears to be representing itself. I was not impressed with Bobby Jindal the other night. If he and Sarah Palin are the future of the party, I will not be supporting it.
Michael Steele is an Obama wannabe. The Repugs are so pathethic. They are seriously in deep trouble. They should just be quiet for a while, and people may not realize how ignorant and inept they all are.
They are stepping deeper and deeper in you know what?
This should be on Comedy Central!!!!! He needs his own show..Well guess what Sir??? "We're not buying anymore BS 2day...try again the year 3009
FLORIDA
Republican are like Cancer.
rethugs are gone your not fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wow, i almost feel bad for steele and all the republicans. they have ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE of the world today. this kind of behaviour is what is going to continue to kill them. If i were to advise republicans, i'd say start taking a more centrist approach to things. you don't need to energize ur base u already have it. try to get more centrists on ur side and even the gap between the number of democrats and republicans
What is wrong with our education system today? I sit and read and listen to the young generation and they somehow believe that Corporations started as Big Corporations. I always here that they are ruining Mom and Pop stores and hurting the little guy trying to make it. Do you not realize that at one time these corporations were the little guy? They excelled and became bigger with new and innovative ideas. It also scares me how many people truly believe the government owes them – healthcare, dental, homes, transportation and everything for life. That the rich should be punished for being rich and foot the bill for everything. I guess they do not realize that if everyone paid the same percentage the rich would already pay more, but it is even worse. The rich pay a higher percentage the more they make. So not only are they paying more they are paying alot more!
What happened to personal responsibility? What happened to Pride?
The idea that he thinks the republican party is FINE is what is frightening. Another thing that is frightening is that the republican party thinks this guy is going to help them...First palin, then him, then jindal, all complete JOKES! I hope the gop continues on this track, its the best thing they do for the Democrats...I LOVE THIS!!!!
The libertarian wing of the Republican party has always been a wing. They are not the mainstream. They have no coalition. They don't even have proposals. All they want is for government to back off. That is not a strategy people are wanting to hear as this crisis deepens.
As the crisis is no longer "that guy" and becomes "my neighbor," "my sister" and then "ME," such disinterested rhetoric will fall on increasing deaf ears.
So, I keep reading that Michael Steele is a "token" for the republicans and that he is in place to try and steal some of President Obama's thunder, i.e. the minority vote, but as a young conservative I agree with him. I don't want him to get ahead because I think he is gonna sway some voters by his skin color, I want him because I disagree with most liberal policies and so does he.
I would like someone to tell me where it has been written that republicans are narrow minded and bigots. I think that I could sit down with most of you all and have a discussion, I am sure in the end we would agree to disagree, but the demonizing on both sides is out of control. At least that is my take.
So all they have to do is say " we nearly destroyed the american economy with our policies as well as got us into what could have been an endless war for no reason and stomped on the constitution as well as all the miriad of other things we've done but oh well MY BAD AND WE'RE SORRY! " Then these idiots think we're dumb enough to just let them go back to doing what they've been doing all along and it will be fine!
I DON'T THINK SO!!!
God i hope this guy never goes away. lets talk ebonics thats how we get them to vote for us
@ Glenn February 26th, 2009 10:25 pm ET
Steele's ignorance is obviously spreading to the rest of the GOP…"you be da man.... Ignorant ** You are soooo Right!!
**************************************************************************
@Steele- Better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you are an idiot, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
Steele. Hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah
I love how they're sucking up to/stealing ideas from Ron Paul and his supporters... Sure, now they come around to say they were wrong and we need to get back to our principles... Sure, now they call for a "revolution."
The problem is, I still don't believe them. I need to see proof... they've lost their credibility on their principles (except for a few like Ron Paul). They can get my attention when they start to adopt some more of his ideas and open up to his supporters.
Yes, the republican party is doing just fine. The further down its falls into the gutter the better as far as I am concerned. The only good republican, is a republican that is out of office.
@ American Patriot: Repukes should be banned from this country and deported. That would be "just fine" for true and loyal Americans!
Who would pay the bills?
You are absolutely correct... "it is just fine." Please don't change a thing. Stay just as out-of-touch, marginalized, regionalized, exclusive, irrelevant and negative as you are now. Do not change your culture positions; please continue to remain disconnected to minorities. In a couple of years, you will have disappeared!
Republicans are still out of touch with 95% of America. All I hear is complaining about Obama and what he is trying to do. I have not heard one solution from the republicans. Maybe they should spend some time doing thier job and trying to come up with some solutions to our current economic crisis instead of getting paid by the taxpayers to complain. The republicans are the ones who got us into this mess in the first place.
To the hateful, vile democrats, you talk like your party is the next best thing since sliced bread! Do you forget you have the devil spawn in your party?? Remember Pelosi and Reid? Oh yeah, don't forget Franks, Dodd, and Schumer. And as for talking out of both sides of their mouths, have you been listening to Obama? That boy needs to learn to stop lying to the American People.
As a long standing inedpendent I try to be open minded and listen to all points of view but this is really getting absurd. Is the Republican Party no longer capable of hearing what is being said by their own members? Obama didn't win because he was black, he won because he offered a new perspective, beating out the "heir apparent" of his own party. Palin is a fool, Jindhal is becoming a fool, and Steele is clueless. "Traditional values"? How about listening to what the majority of Americans are saying: WE WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT! Trickle down economics, tax cuts, and military spending don't work anymore! Conservative spending? How about the nearly $700 BILLION spent in Iraq, most of it borrowed from China, and for what? Saddam is gone, big deal. What difference does that make in the world? And why was that expenditure OK but spending the same amount on AMERICAN SOIL is somehow irresponsible? I've noticed that the media keeps refering to Obama's first term. Perhaps this is subconscious recognition of the fact that there will be a second. If the Republicans keep doing what they are doing they will be lucky if they have any seats left in four years. I can't wait for the story lines in 2012: Joe the Plumber dukes it out with Sarah Palin and Bobby Jindhal for the opportunity to be slaughtered by Obama.
Mister Steel: you're trying to appeal to the new generation with dried-up slang but ridicule the use of current technology. Please explain.
so the plan is to utterly destroy the last dregs of the GOP by pandering to the segments of the voting population that will never, ever vote for you?
even if halloween becomes a 365 day a year celebration, we will still be able to see through your 'look at me – i'm a democrat' costumes.
you won't get our candy. (but you might get some cookies to go with that spoiled milk you keep spewing)
please continue providing comic relief during these difficult times...
W said it best"
fool me once shame on you
fool me twice– er um....
*pause*
see if you fool me once then you cant fool me again!
Basically it's "we know the past, we know we did wrong. My bad. But we go forward in appreciation of the values that brought us to this point.”
So, I'm to understand this means they're going in the same wrong-headed direction they were going even though they know it's wrong?
Talk about South-going Zax on the Plain of Prax.
Lol, keep on dreaming Mr. Steele. As long as you think that going back to your "conservative policies" are going to revive the GOP, you're going to keep getting disappointed.
President Obama won more than 2/3 of the electoral votes (popular vote is irrelevant, since we're a federation of sovereign states and not a unitary state), so obviously most of the folks out there do not want your so-called conservative policies.
"I would like someone to tell me where it has been written that republicans are narrow minded and bigots. "
Go to google.com and search "Sarah Palin rally"
Other than a couple new faces, looks like you're going to run the same candidates through "One More Time" in 2012. Pickn's are Slim HUH!
(Refried Repugs) guess you could say.
OK superfly
Wasn't it Jesse Watts' father who said; " A black man voting Republican is like a chicken voting for Colonel Saunders"? Yes it was. Sorry to say, the fact is that this man is just a pawn in the Republican game. Nothing more.
Well, what else could Steele say? That our party is the laughing stock of the world? The spokesmen of our party are Palin, Limburgh and Joe the Plumber, Oh wait, he's not really a plumber and his name is not Joe and he's not very knowledgable but we have him speak for us anyway. One of the stars of our party sounds like Mr. Rogers and took a sudden trip to Disney World. We're LOSERS!
I am so pleased that President Obama is addressing the health care problem, education the economy, infrastructure and global warming. If McCain had won we would be spending all of our money fighting Iran by now. You all have noticed that the war rhetoric has calmed down. President Obama is winding down the Iraq war and will solve the problems in Afghanistan. He is a thinking person and will lead this country out of the horrible mess that the bush/cheney regime got us into.
“the conservative movement must become a revolution,” and the goal “must be nothing less than the transformation of America.”
... from the America conservatism created?
the goal “must be nothing less than the transformation of America.”
What, back to the Stoneage?
Too bad that when the GOP was in power it forgot all about those things. I'm sure that Republicans hope we'll just forget all the last eight years, but the evidence of their manifest failures are all around us.
At least Powell eventually realized he was being used. Wonder when Steele will realize the same?
Let's see: Under the Republicans, limited government meant the largest budget deficits in history. Freedom meant Guantanamo. And free market meant the collapse of banks, the stock market and housing. Great track record!
And people wonder why they are loosing?
yo yo yo...trizzle dizzle economizzle y'all...word...
@ east tx, who requested " would like someone to tell me where it has been written that republicans are narrow minded and bigots."
History books.
@ tess
Honestly, you're the very first person I've seen use the phrase "Uncle Tom" on this site. Nobody's claiming Steele has betrayed his people. We're just claiming he's out of touch and slightly retarded. If the GOP was honest, it would recognize that the elections in 2006 and 2008 represented a call by the American people for them to adapt, not slather lipstick on their pig, which is all this techno-babble ebonic tapdancing amounts amounts to.
All I can say is...these Republicans (who are to blame for all of America's problems) are bunch of losers.
What I expect the Republicans to do is to show some respect to our President and work with his administration fixing the economy.
Everything they are doing is just plain "politics."
“Tonight, we tell America: we know the past, we know we did wrong. My bad. But we go forward in appreciation of the values that brought us to this point.”
You go forward in appreciation of the values that brought you to the point where you know you've done wrong? That's just weird.
Just fine? Yeh, like mission accomplished fine, like heckuva job Brownie fine, like Abu Ghraib fine, like up to our necks in national debt fine. These folks are insane fine.
Welcome to th GOP Minstrel show!
he isn't even the leader of the republican party. rush limbaugh is the parties true and only spokesman. god bless these idiots...
HAHAHA sure it is.
Bush has F'd up the GOP plan, like he's F'd up every single thing he has ever tried to do in his life.
Incompetence equals failure if your poor.
If your rich it equals the presidency.
Take a look back... the Captain of the Titanic said the exact same thing. RIP RP.
I'm a democrate. A FISCAL democrat, though you would be hardpressed to believe such beings existed. If the GOP would actually PROPOSE something, AN ALTERNATIVE, a PLAN (can anyone think of more synonyms?) I would listen to them very attentively. I believe in bipartisan ship but I am also a realist.
I am well-versed in economics for a biochemist with an MBA who only works in a hospital laboratory. Adam Smith, no offense, is a little outdated–by about 233 years. The GOP still believes in this philosophy. As times change so do economic philosphies. David Ricardo, Thomas Malthus, John Stuart Mill, Marxism, and John Maynard Keynes were brilliant economists from which we have derived our academic beliefs, in fact have tried to morph them into one belief: democracy.
Though not an economist by trade I read about it constantly, am fascinated by it. The more I learn the more I realize that we just may be unwilling to admit that democracy has the potential to be a failure; that is, a failed economic model. Is that un-American? Absolutely to some, but from an academic standpoint it is merely an objective conclusion drawn from years of data that is ever-increasingly pointing in this direction.
Will there be a revolution? With the upheaval, anger, bitterness and downright plausibility of a Wall Street Meltdown, factories closing, inflation rising, unemployment rising, GDP decreasing, the dollar losing value, the home sector losing value, the retail and building sector losing value, the consumer confidence index dropping consistently........there IS going to be a BANG at some point. And you can't blame Obama, or Bush, or Clinton, or Reagan, or Carter or whoever. For a moment consider that they have been the guide that has kept the train on the tracks. The tracks, symbolically being democracy as we know it, seem to be running short.
Government intervention is necessary because it is the ONLY entity with the weight to push things through with sheer force of will. Ultimately, 100 years from now, our grandchildren just may be reading about us the way we read about the former "Great Philosophers."
Think about it. You may say this scenario is impossible. In science, we NEVER say anything is impossible: we say it is highly unlikely, for there is always the chance.......
The budget that Obama has proposed is bigger than Bush's spending which included the cost of two wars and 911.
The only thing liberals know how to do is attack and insult people. Why don't you shut your mouths and go read something other than the Huffington Post.
I actually have no problem with the republican party. I think it is just fine!
Oh god!
7 % of the popular vote is not a mandate, but an almost 200 point victory in the electoral college definitely qualifies as a mandate
Why do I get the feeling that most of the negative,vile anti Republican comments on here come from that 19 to 29 year old age group that know absolutely NOTHING about politics!! In short, It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than it is to speak and remove ALL doubt!
The GOP is living in the twilight zone. They have dumbed their party down so much; they vote against their own interest. If the GOP believes Jindal, Palin or Steele is the answer to Obama, they are sadly mistaken. Out of jealously, they refer to him as a messiah, when America and the rest of the world sees him as an intelligent visionary. The GOP will be in the hole they have dug for themselves because they have no vision and are still using the Southern strategy of bigotry, us against them. They blame poor people for the ills of our country while giving corporate welfare in the form of subsidies to big business and the wealthy. They continue to live in the past and have been preaching tax cuts and small government for almost thirty years. We have be living their policies since 1980 with the exception of Clinton's 8 year presidency.
America voted for change and we don't want anything resembling the last 8 years. Our country is in shambles, and the GOP wants us to trust them and complains about everything President Obama does. Now they are blaming everything on Bush, when they were appropriating spending in congress and running up hugh deficits, using fuzzy math on the budgets. Now after they screws things up with deregulation, trade swaps and derivatives, tax breaks for corporations moving abroad, tax cuts for corporation and the wealthy, two war, no bid contract, etc., the GOP is concerned about the deficit. At this point, the only people who continue to fooled is the "Elmer Gantry and Lonesome Rhodes crowd" and if you've seen either of these movies, you'll know exactly what I mean.
The GOP voters are mostly rural whites who do not have access to information to form intellectual decisions. They depend on Limbaugh, Hannity, Fox and republican politicians for information. But change is on the way, broadband is coming to rural areas soon and you will be able to do their own research and realize the lies you have been told.
christine-
plain and simple: bush was the biggest failure in our history. he bankrupt this country both financially and morally. i don't need the huffington post to tell me that. republicans are irrelevant. bobby jindahl made sarah palin good. i so look forward to that debate...
First Steele then Jindal...the Republicans are really scrapping the bottom of the barrel. I thought Palin was the worst they could do...guess I was wrong.
Ken Blackwell was the Ohio bagman that fixed the vote.
He would have been great in Vaudville with a little more shoe polish.
@Shayne in NH February 27th, 2009 12:23 am ET
I'm a democrate.
==================================================
Very Nice.
Christine February 27th, 2009 12:25 am ET
The budget that Obama has proposed is bigger than Bush's spending which included the cost of two wars and 911.
The only thing liberals know how to do is attack and insult people. Why don't you shut your mouths and go read something other than the Huffington Post.
______________________________________________________
Chrisitine you should educate yourself before throwing nonsense out. Bush's budget did NOT include the two wars (one I fought in) which made it look smaller. Obama's DOES. that is the difference between honesty and gimmicks.
What we need to "transform" is this two party monopoly. With the dems and republicans squabbling all the time and fighting for majority voting power, our country is suffering. We need Individuals who stand more in the middle to step forward and take this country in a new direction. Down the middle. Its time for things to level out and lets get some balance in our government. We hear all this talk about "bipartisanship" but its just BS. I know there are Dems going to republican and republicans going to the dem party. For those of us who are fed up, lets just meet in the middle and force this country into a new direction. Don't be scared to declare yourself "independent". Time for some level headed people to take the reins of the middle and promote equal solidarity. The two party monopoly has ruined this country and I know theres millions of us in the middle who have had to take sides against our own better judgement because thats all we thought we had. Its time for a "CHANGE" that will actually help save our country!
The fact that the republicans don't have a clue just goes to show you that the party is run by the wealthy... they are completely out of touch with the majority of the people in this country. They are so far removed that they don't understand what is happening and haven't the faintest idea of how to deal with the current situation.
During the "Cheney Presidency" they ran the country on a "need-to-know" basis and decided that the majority of Americans just simply didn't need to know. These are poeple at the top who are use to having their orders followed and no questions asked. They feel they should NEVER have to explain themselves... just do as I say.
Hopefully, that sad time in our history has come to an end.
Alive? No, they are dead sick and juspt plain mean. The Republicans caused this mess but they dont want to help fix it. They should be working with President Obama and not fighting him so the economy can be returned to thriving economoy. Steel and the rest of the Republicans are self centered and out of touch with the american people.
MESSAGE TO GOP = "Come on guys, get it together!"
Oh, this is so sad! Ed, your new president won by over 8 and a half MILLION VOTES! That my friend is a landslide. If the Republicans continue to try new threads, it equates to a salesman who doesn't know what he is selling. It's called "spraying and praying", trying anything out on the customer and seeing what might stick. There is no relationship and there is no sale! The public is on to the new GOP. It's the same as the old GOP, just trying to package it differently. Nobody is falling for it!
As for John McCain, he can be president. . . president of the small man's syndrome club. 2010 and John can be retired officially. Just don't vote for him and let him fade away to his HERO glory. That's where he's living at the moment anyway.
This CPAC gathering is very scary and very un-American.....and Steele's comments of "just fine" show they are also very out of touch with reality. That sand where your head is must feel good, Mr. Steele
Many Republicans want the Party to drive harder to the Right, and others are screaming for more diversity, and still many others like Michael Steele believes every thing is just find and dandy. Why can't the GOP see that for most Americans it is NOT about their Republican "values"? It is about substantive solutions to real issues for paycheck-to-paycheck struggling Americans.
I live in canada, these your republican party officials are nothing but weed smokers and the beteter they stop the better they are welcome to the world soceity. What a bunch of idiots and senseless group of people these republicans are, very soon Bush and co will be on trial for war crime, they are not different from MIlosovic and Charles taylor. these guys belong to The Hague
Hey Mike what's next for the GOP, Pimp Juice. Hey Michelle Bachmann how about some shout out T.I and T-Pain!
Again, as former Chief Judge Higginbotham asked soon-to-be Justice Thomas in an open letter in 1992: "I must confess that, other than their own self-advancement, I am at a loss to understand what is it that the so-called black conservatives are so anxious to conserve."
As Steele concluded his remarks, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann — the event's moderator — told Steele he was “da man.”
“Michael Steele! You be da man! You be da man,” she said.
___________________________________________
I love her!!! I really really love her!!! She is my new toy ... with her all big crazy blue eyes that will believe ANYTHING that the computer will print!
Move over Palin ..... Bachmann for President!!!
jajaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa I bet you she bought ' Hip Hop for dummies.
OH! and Steel .... he said on a radio interview that he send Jindal ' some slum love ' jajaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Yes, and the fundamentals of the economy are sound, mission accomplished, waterboarding is not torture and I can see Russia from my house.
@Get Real!! February 26th, 2009 11:25 pm ET
To the hateful, vile democrats, you talk like your party is the next best thing since sliced bread! Do you forget you have the devil spawn in your party??*** Satan is the leader of the Repubs as in Rush Limbaugh ***OOPS MY Bad!!! Don't Hate PARTICIPATE ...The DEMS are better than Grandma's APPLE PIE .....Join Us "you da Man"
Gee where is this new hip Republican Party at ????? With Steele,Jindal and other minorities that suffer from "Racial Stockholm
Syndrome" in the party. I feel real confident in the Republicans!!!!
Go back and look at your history. For the past 30 years whenever the retaliban party was in power, they were not fiscally responsible, the government grew and every single one was for the rich and the corporations. Just because you keep saying something does not make it true.
I like safe food, good roads and bridges, and I think if you have over 75% percent of the wealth you can afford to pay more than 40% of the taxes. I know it is nice for you if those of us who share the 25% pay 60% of the taxes, but we find it kind of hard to survive on a day to day basis.
No one over 40 should run for office in the GOP.
@Get Real!! February 26th, 2009 11:25 pm ET
To the hateful, vile democrats, you talk like your party is the next best thing since sliced bread! Do you forget you have the devil spawn in your party??*** Satan is the leader of the Repubs as in Rush Limbaugh ***OOPS MY Bad!!! Don't Hate PARTICIPATE ...The DEMS are better than Grandma's APPLE PIE .....Join Us "You be da man"
Tom, Your an idiot...
It shocks me that there are people in America who are not behind our president to pull ourselves out of this terrible economic situation.
I feel like my house burned down and my neighbors are telling me it wouldn't have happened if I hadn't built it.
Hahaha, these Rethuglicans just won't quit!
Steele is the white man's buffoon.
Everything is just fine and the fundimentals of the economy are strong. Right
) These people are dilusional. They won't admit they lost the election. They won't take any responsibility for anything in the last 8 years. It's all Osama's fault or purhaps it was the aliens from Mars or maybe the voters got it wrong. Take your meds and sleep it off for the next 20 years. Republicans of the far right are irrelevant and disconnected from the average American.
The squabbling cound indeed stop if Democratic voters would learn science and economics. They are like Mikey. They will believe anything. We are in trouble because perception is not reality. That is a lie.
"Don't underestimate the power of the dark side"
- Darth Vader to Luke Skywalker in "The Empire Strikes Back."
I will believe it when thr FBI arrests BUSH,CHENEY,RICE and RUMSFELD..For war crimes and crimes against this country...CHENEY has a arrest warrant out for him in Vermont, and RUMDUM has an INTERPOL arrest warrant out for him...They all can be arrested under the RICO Act for organized crime activity..
BUSH, is sitting on his porch in Dallas sucking on his Jim Beam bottle.CHENEY, is sitting in his 8 by 10 foot office in Washington with one thumb in his mouth and the other up his butt and he switches positions every five minutes..
Did he just say the death of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, 34k+ Americans dead or injured, 5 trillion in national debt, the repeal of american civil liberties, torture and lying are "His bad"?
STEELE is a REPUBLICAN PIMP...
It would be better to have TERMINAL CANCER than to be a REPUBLICAN...
The Republican Party needs to use this time to motivate its members. Steele is the right person for the job. His speech was very good and he highlighted the Republican principles; limited government, etc.
I love how that CNN reported that he "attacked" the President when all he did was state his opposing view. Man, I have been "attacked" a lot lately then! Anyways, after the next four years, Americans will see that the larger the government gets, the less freedoms they have, and the Republican Party will once again rise!
Doesn't the Republican party have any intelligent seasoned veterans to spotlight? Why do they keep wheeling out the backwoods wackos claiming they are the new faces of the Republican party? If this is what they have to offer, a stop by the surgeon's office might be in order.
Michael Steele Standing There looking like Cheshire Cat ...but You be da man!......My ? is Y do you honestly think you are the Head Nig__ in charge ...well you are nothing more than a House NIg__YOU be da man......If you crew up they will be on your A$$ like flies on Sh_t
"Floyd" – I cant stand the phony republican and Im over 40. And I suppose you think that everyone who voted for Obama must be under 40?
What did you come up with that yourself or did you have a team of monkeys help you out?
Thanks for playing ... You lost. Deal with it!
I have read many posts on here and there is a lot of anger towards the Republican Party. I don't pretend to know much but here is what I do know....
This mess was started during the Clinton Era when the Banks were told to make loans to people who couldn't afford it. By the time Bush became President, the affects of this was not evident. It took some time for people to realize that they couldn't afford the loans they had taken out. So far, 95-98% of people are current on thier loans. But those that were bad scared the banks into tighter lending procedures. When people found out that they couldn't get credit and loans, they paniced and stopped spending which caused the market to drop. And it doesn't help every time President Obama gives a speech. Yes, people are loosing thier jobs, but this is not as bad as you think it is. But if we keep spending money we don't have, this is going to get a lot worse.
TO MY DEAR REPUBLICAN FRIENDS;
My good friend finally made good her escape to another city following years of being the recepient of domestic abuse from an ignorant, insensitive, stingy, impotent, self-centered swine.
Arrogance did not allow him to see what was happening right under his nose as her sister and I helped her pack up the kitchen...I recall wishing I could be a fly on the wall on Friday evening when he returned to an echoing house.
The victim's sister later relayed the drama that included much weeping and gnashing of teeth – "why did she leave me...what did I do...I want her to come back home...bla, bla, bla..." Responding very superficially when the dust settled, he diminished any level of culpability on his part, thus, never truly accepted responsibility for the disintegration of the union.
Having abused her for so long, HE SEEMED NOT TO HAVE A CLUE WHY SHE LEFT HIM – That she had grown tired of having the life leeched out of her while getting nothing in return...Like an open grave, he only took...life was all about him...his needs and wants.
I recall thinking... "IF HE REALLY HASN'T FIGURED OUT WHY SHE LEFT HIM, SHE WOULD BE A FOOL TO GO BACK (for more of the same)!"
keep on keeping on my man, you are too cool for school
down goes the GOP
Umm, Mr. Steele who can you fix your mouth to say republican conservative values are right for America when America REJECTED that philosophy on Nov. 4th! Michael Steele you are perfect for the rethugs, you are in just as much denial.
Go away Steele. You will never be the republican party's answer for President Obama. Just like the failed attempt to push Palin out front to attrack Hilary's supporters. When you guys come to the table with a comprehensiveanswer for today's issue....then you can speak to me. Until then, the republican party is nothing more than hot air and a JOKE.
You just keep saying that to yourself often enough, you just might come to believe it!
NO new Idea and Vision for the new World Order
you GOP =Get Out of Politices.
Aufwiedersehen!
I'll bet the RNC is weeping and gnashing teeth now. They tried to add diversity to their party by pushing Steele and Jindal out there, but now they look even whiter and goofier than ever.
Yeah it's fine. It's the laughing stock of the country with Palin, Jindal and Steele showing up at a theatre near you. Delusional is a word they never heard about.
The party may still be alive, but it is definitely not well!
Michael Steele must as well apply for kkk membership while out there
exactly whats wrong with the republicans. all are in denial. all take their talking points from Rush. All have Sean H. attitude. Only the Dems can screw this up for not governing for the next 25 years, and give their competence, they probably will.
Firechick, at least you admit you don't know much. But let's stop with the old myth that Clinton and CRA caused this mess. First off, CRA did not have the ability to force any bank to make a bad loan. Secondly, the majority of loans that deafulted came from mtge cos and other institutions that weren't even regulated by CRA.
The cause was more than anything greed among the investment banks, and people who thought they could buy more home than they shoud have been able afford. And the regulatory and rating agencies did nothing.
The GOP is a circus run by clowns
Not only are the Repugs the party of "NO", they apparently are th party of DENIAL.
Ha! Go Obama! We're behind you 100%
"My bad." That was the best excuse Republicans could give for the past eight years?
Yikes.
I just don't know what to say!!!! They are killing their party!!! WOOOHOO!!!
Michelle Bachmann is a great "poster child" for the Republican Party! She who was so spiteful, hateful, and negative during the campaign season. Fits right in with Steele, Palin, Pawlenty, Jindal, and the rest - birds of a feather STILL flock together!
I hear they have installed state of the art Wind Turbines at CPAC to turn all that "hot air" into useable electricity to power Washington D.C. for weeks to come.
Tomorrow the "giant lightning rod" will go online just in time for some truly big lies to be told. The final installation requires metal ankle bracelets for the Speaker to wear when he states, "May God Strike me down If I am lying!". We expect to power most of the Eastern Seaboard with those whoppers!
Way to go CPAC! Keep up those renewable resources!
Firechick: You have no clue as to who started this mess...it started with Senior bush back in the early 90's. He should have gone to war in 1993 when the ship was attacked and US servicemen were killed. The USS Cole. It was then that he wanted Saddam hussein gotten rid of but that didn't happen until sonny boy got into office. I hope the Rethugs just keep doin' what they are doin'. The Dems will be in power for a very long time.
A bunch of disgruntled republicans. If they can come up with some new ideas, maybe they will be relevant. But all I heard from CPAC were the same old talking points and alot of Obama bashing. And what in the wolrd is Joe the Plumber doing there. The GOP is a joke.
DA MAN hahaha! Da Man Steele is Not in Reality He is an Idiot! The Republicans are Divided and a Mess I mean with Palin and Jindal the Dems are going to be around for a while Bank on it Da Man! How insulting are the Gop
Steele..."Conservative values are right for America?"
Selfishness is right for America?
Elitism is right for America?
Racism and discrimination is right for America?
Ripping up the Constitution is right for America?
Torture is right for America?
Unilateral war is right for America?
Spying on its own citizens is right for America?
"We know we did wrong"???
They didn't say that when it counted. Instead they questioned the patriotism, intellect, & morals of all who opposed them.
Their fascism will NEVER be forgotten.
WHAT republican values? They have not limited the size of government; they have not even appointed qualified people to positions (i.e. Brownie's great job during Katrina); they have enriched the good 'ol boy network on the backs of the little guys; they oppose any regulations on their Wall St. buddies; they left America with the biggest deficit ever and now plan to complain about Pres. Obama increasing it; and their zealous right wing nut jobs against abortion are the same ones who are playing footsies in the mens room or with the Pages - GIVE ME ANYONE OTHER THAN A REPUBLICAN WITH THOSE PRINCIPLES!
Yeah, yeah – as long as the GOP continues to be be so frightened of the right wing lunatic fringe that they refuse to stand up to them, they've lost the votes of normal Americans that used to be Republicans.
As the economy takes off..., the republicans future dwindles.
Yea, and Slumdog Jindal thinks his speech the other night was "just fine and dandy".
These repugs are just talking to themselves. They have no hope. They simply do not get it.
They ADMIT they were 'bad' for what they've done or didn't do over the last 8 (or more) years – but now we should trust them? Now they are conservatives? Now they are responsible?
They're not sorry for anything they've done – they're just sorry they've all been exposed in broad daylight.
I think it will be a very very very very very long time before another Republican is elected to the White House.
It's those values that made you go bad !! No one but the GOP wants to
go back to those George W. Busch years. Steele is "da man" alright....
token enough to try to get people to believe those antiquated ideas of
the GOP.
Of course they'll look much better next year.
WOW ! When the Repugs try to gain votes by talking as if they are part of the " hood " they are doing a great disservice to the black population as a whole. All it does is carry on the stereotype that some folks have of blacks. Black people are trying to educate their children and stop this nonsense and along come the Repugs trying to hang onto it. idiots ! This is not going to help their party at all.
John McCain less than a year ago - ".... the fundamentals of our economy are sound .... "
They are all full of hot air – but they have medical coverage and a guaranteed retirement income.
Something's wrong when the people paying THEIR salaries are out of jobs and going broke.
There only way back for them is to be more moderate. No change going to the right is going to work.
I have always been a left-of-center guy, but I could be persuaded if the GOP became more center-right,
Examples
- They need to embrace green energy over fossil fuels.period
- Get behind Universal healtcare and come up with a market based alternative
- Reject your hard right wing as the party of the past.
- Come to the table with different ideas. You dont have any right now
Seems to Me The Gop are trying to Relate to Children, Teenagers, First Palin Trys to Insult Our Intelligence,Then Jindal speaks to us Like were 5 Year olds. Now there trying to use Hip Hop Language WHAT A JOKE GIVE IT UP GOP! HAHAHAH What Idiots
In other words Steele is saying, "Don't worry, be happy." He doesn't understand that many of the core values of which he is proud mean little to parents who have little to no income and can't feed their children.
Michael Steele is demonstrating time and time again that he is not the man who will bring the GOP back to being a relevant politcal force. We Republicans need new thinking and new ways to tackle problems. He still doesn't understand that 1980s solutions have little to no effect on 21st century issues.
... and Nero fiddled while Rome burned.
Republicans aren't 'conservative' anymore.
They're authoritarian.
BIG difference.
To firechick907: Unfortunately, what you do know is not correct.
I suggest reading Michael Lewis' article The End on the economic crisis on portfolio dot com December 2008 issue. It is a great read, very entertaining and very insightful.
By keeping interest rates too low for too long post 2001, the Federal Reserve overstimulated the housing market. With the widespread use of Adjustable Rate Mortgages, when these mortgages "reset" to higher rates (typically 5 years after they were taken out), the borrowers faced difficulties paying their new monthly payments. Both those who gave the loans and those who took these loans are to blame.
Bush relaxed regulations on Fannie and Freddie and allowed these quasi governmental agencies to buy lower quality mortgages (or grouped mortgages) – the banks could then sell these loans quickly and no longer cared about the underlying quality of the loan as much as to whether the loan conformed to a series of criteria that could be packed and sold on to the market.
Banks are not required to lend who cannot afford to pay them back – this is simply not true. If you are trying to reference the Community Reinvestment Act that was from 1977. The banks were lending to questionable people because it was profitable for them to do so – commercial banks, investment banks and insurance companies all made very nice fees from the mortgages and their securitizations.
If you are looking for a Clinton era initiative to blame, the one to consider is the Graham-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 – which allowed Citibank and Travelers to merge. This allowed commercial banks and investment banks to merge. When times were good and investment banks were reaping profits, the banking system benefitted from additional equity in the banks and additional lending took place. When the stock market fell, highly levered banks with proprietary trading operations saw their equity get crushed.
As banks have equity requirements which affect their lending abilities, with less equity, the banks are able to lend less. Furthermore, the risk models that the national banks were using, typically did not predict a countrywide collapse in home prices. As such, the banks' falling equity limited the banks ability to lend.
I hope this helps clear up some of the misconceptions – do read the Michael Lewis article – it is great.
My bad?
Oh god, the cojones on these idiots is incredible.
You have a lot more atoning to do than that Repubs.
"Mistakes were made" eh? This is a non-apology.
I hope the Repubs suffer even greater losses next election cycle. Then, it might dawn on them most American's aren't buying any more of their BULL.
The true Republican intelligencia were somewhere throwing up while CPAC was doing its thing. The display of racist materials, and comments from so called leaders (referring to the comment of a nuclear missing hitting Chicago), is not going to draw anyone to the Republicans. They say they want to bring other people in, and will respect other views. But every chance they get, we see the real picture. The last thing they want is to respect peoples differences. The intelligencia is hoping they can push Newt Gingrich. He the only one that can get the crazies back in the jar. Newt lets them out to vote, and then puts them back. Right now, the hatred for America (comparing themselves to the Taliban – an enemy to this country), the contempt for human life (hoping people catch aids and die, etc) being displayed by the Republicans is frightening!
The Republican party is just fine huh?
Michael Steele and the Republican Leadership in Washington must all be smoking off the same "delusional" pipe. To make such an idiotic statement just proves how backwards the RNC and its leaders continues to be.
Steele seriously confirms he's nothing but the "token black puppet" brought in to counteract President Obama's historic achievements. NOT. BIG, BIG MISTAKE when the RNC has a strong and undeniable southern history of "segregated" mentality excluding ALL minorities for decades.
It also explains the fact that the RNC clearly is in a constant state of cluelessness. They don't and can't seem to come up with a SOLUTION to their own crappy economic mess!!!
The RNC and GOP go around creating chaotic destructions, but NEVER EVER provide any solutions to their own generated problems. They are incompetent beyond words!!
It's truly the party of the BLIND LEADING THE BLIND. Sad, so sad.
So... are they out looking for Joe the Plumber to lead them again - looks like back to Square 1 to me -
why can't America realize that if we don't accept these changes to stir us in a different direction we will be just GM - didn't listen - didn't change course - didn't move forward - BROKE AND LEFT BEHIND - COME ON AMERICA - GET IT - AND CNN BY GOD WHAT IS UP WITH THE REPUB'S PRESS - HAVE YOU NO SHAME.......................
I'm glad Steele is chairperson. He's no different than Keyes. Lets bring Palin too. After reading about the racist 0bama 'cereal' they are openingly selling, the repubs are only displaying their true nature. All they need are sheets and hoods. Oh, they have them – they just didn't bring them.
to go up against their black guy, which will neutralize the famous black caucus that runs everything.
The fact that the Republican party thinks that Michael Steele, Rush Limbaugh, Michelle Bachmann and Ann Coulter are worthy of being featured speakers and moderators at this get together and that such people will bring them back to power is truly a horrific thought.
However, it will just cause the Democrats to solidify their gains in the 2010 elections.
This 63-year-old formerly Independent moderate – after 8 years of Bush/Rove/Cheney – 2 wars, torture, a devastated economy, gutting of regulations on financial institutions, corruption, fraud, cronyism, arrogance, politicization of the Justice Department and obscenely inefficient goverment action (Katrina, SEC/Madoff) , etc. etc. etc.
has vowed to NEVER vote for another Republican EVER in my entire life.
I recently changed my party affiliation to Democrat.
I am repulsed by the Republicans except for a few intelligent sorts like Senators Snowe, Collins and Specter.
Other than that... all I see is bitter partisanship, sniping, arrogance, stupidity. I can't bear to watch Eric Cantor smirk or Boehner pontificate or listen to Limbaugh say he hopes that President Obama fails. Or to watch the duo of McCain/Graham play their games and spout their outright lies.
Unbelievable.
The Republicans almost destroyed this country over the past 8 years. Literally .... almost destroyed us.
And they have the nerve to criticize what President Obama is trying to do to get this country back on the right track????
Incredible.......
“Michael Steele! You be da man! You be da man,” she said.
Really? I'm surprised that the Clown Princess of Wackyland wasn't draped in bling and throwing gang signs. Good Lord, how much worse it THIS gonna get?
keep dreaming steele the gop is dead thanks to george bush/cheney DEMOCRATS rule the U.S .A
No wonder they think the economy is fine. They're delusional.
To Jennfizz:
Thank you! I reread your post a couple of times and then read it to the person with whom I share an office.
I think the last two years of complete Democrat control of Congress scared off investors and business people. The GDP dropped over 6% in the last quarter of 2008 on the news and reality of Obama's victory. Since big government spending has never worked in the past, I'm confident that the GOP candidates we recruit today will be running against Democrats who are responsible for creating a lot of economic pain.
THANK YOU REPUBLICAN FOR GIVING US AMERICAN DREAM...DREAM JUST DREAM hahahaha
I JUST LOVE IT !!!!!! If this were a Soap Opera,-- This would be taking place in the cardiac intensive care unit with Dr. Steele leaning over a body ( Repub) applying CPR hopeing for any sign of life---
What is this DUDE smokin??? It has to be some good stuff for him to believe this party is doing ok. LOL
Mr Steele, Bro, U and the Joker are like TV "Batman and Robin"!
Yes, and Hitler is still alive. C'mon, Steele-get with the program! Your party is sick, sick, sick.
Why does Mr. Steele feel that using slang that plays into racial stereotypes will help his party communicate better with my generation? How about some substance for once? Stop pandering!
"My bad..." "You be da man"? They are really trying much to hard. Antiquated slang is not going to bring the GOP into the current century. Instead of adjusting its slang, the GOP should adjust its stance on key issues if it wishes to rise to power again. It would also do the GOP a world of good to hire better marketing and campaign personnel. Just a thought.
Steele could have been in Vaudeville as a song and dance man.
Did the meeting end with a big YEEEEEEEAH BOYEEEEEE!?
I believe in 4 years the people currently kissing obmama's butt on this blog every day will be thrilled to have a republican back in office.
hopefully there will be enough time to fix what was broken by government, (especially clinton and the banking system, bush and the iraq war, and the just plain stupidity of carter), but even more so, the downright destruction of the us economy by the current absolute idiot in office.
Never thought someone could make GWB look so good so fast.
Thank you obama.
As they ride on that great African river called De-Nile!
Hey Michael Steele...
You're NOT da'man buddy! You are clearly the FOOL of month talking this "hip hop" garbage. WHO the hell do you think is buying this trash? The younger generation think you are WHACKED and the older generation are scratching their heads at your stupidity. Either way you are screwed buddy.
Who talks like that at your age? Only an idiot talks and behaves in such a juvenile manner during a speech or public event. WHAT were you thinking? Ooops, my bad, you weren't thinking that's the problem.
YOU are NO rapper, STOP trying to act like you are hip and cool because you're only making a FOOL out of yourself. Those WHITE RICH CRACKERS are laughing their heads off in the back room.
GET A CLUE BROTHER..... you're nothing but a puppet on the RNC string!!!
Wow. What a bunch of buffoons. Is Bachmann serious w. that remark? It comes off like Amos and Andy. Why can't the Republicans see this?
steel surley you JEST!
susanb,
they're not finished trying.....
still hoping> You think Obama makes GWB look good? Having you been visiting Crazyville or something?
Bling bling, off da hook rethugs. Sorry, my bad.
Michele "McCarthy" Bachman is the embodiment of offensive.
Thank you Michael Steele... Let's BRING IT ON!!!
Grab a DSM-IV and look up "borderline personality disorder"...that's the GOP.
The Republican party is "off the hook" according to Steele. I'd say more like off their rockers.
ok, her comments were totally unnecessary....
Republicans need to be heard about why conservatism coupled with franchisement of capitalism in all its aspects is the best way for government to work. The countries of the past that have relied on the government rather than individual initiatives have all fallen from the forefront of leadership. Is America now heading down that slope, too, because so many Americans just won't take care of their own lives?
Must be nice to live in LaLa land.
The Republican Party will be just fine once all the people start seeing their taxes go up. This could very well be another one term President.
MOST AMERICANS do not want "USA" to stand for United Socialists of America.
What's next, Ann Coulter spouting "Word to your mother"?
Any truth to the rumor that Vanilla Ice will be the closing act?
The collective intelligence of the posters on this site is nil. Very hilarioius to read the post of people that have no clue about History or economics. Give it two years ,you people wont know what hit you.
Yeah right...as soon as you get back in power you are going to do the same things that Bush did, borrow and spend. No matter which party is in power the American people always loose out.
EZ February 27th, 2009 10:28 am ET
EZ,
I'm an over 50 white guy, and your absolutely right.
"My bad?" Mr. Chairman, with all due respect, you may end up losing the very base you are trying to rally. I am worried.
Republicans just don't get it...the American people understand what the nation is facing, why can't Republicans???
God's light of truth continues to shine on the Republicans.
DX in TX
Wow….the hypocrisy and racism here is palpable.
The scary reality is that the concept of keeping people victims is key for the Democrat party. The more people depend on government, the less they feel confidant enough to empower themselves, the more they’ll vote for the Democrat. It’s the sheep mentality. There is no dignity depending on someone else to wipe your butt. There is no power without victims. Obama has the power and obviously most of the posters here are the victims.
“Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.” Welfare lines are handing out fish. Do you want this to be you?
I continue to be completely astounded at the ignorance and arrogance of the Rebulican Party. The party has been hijacked by extreme right wing politics and right wing evangelical beliefs. I was a republican for 30 years and have switched my affiliation to Democrat. 8 years of Bush/Cheney was more than I could stomache and after the complete crash of our banking system from greed of the wealthiest Americans it is more than time for a change to new ideas.
The Obama administration might not make a perfect move with every move they make but I sincerely believe they are looking out for every american and truely want us all to succeed.
I am 100% behind Obama and will be contributing financially to any opponent of a Reblican in the 2010 election.
I disagree with Steele. While I am not a socialist per se, I beleive that the bush policies got us into this economic mess. For one, the market forces alone odviously don't self regulate. Next, you cannot just focus on more wars and not focus on supporting your own people.
Next, we need to do some of the things the stimulus package is going to be used for. One is the need to start weaning off the addiction to oil. This is because the world is starting to run short on it. If you don't beleive me, read the blogs by Matthew Simmons (who by the way is a republican and not an environmentalist), Richard Heinberg, Colin Campbell, James Howard Kunstler, and others. Next, millions of teachers lost their jobs with the recent budget crunch and the stimulus will put people back to work.
What the republicans don't get is that they need to sometimes consider domestic, non-war related issues a priority and to act on them. The collapse of Bear Stearns and all the home foreclosures soaring should have been a warning sign that deregulating the banking industry was not working and that a disaster was in the works.
Michael Steele is a "BIG JOKE" , go sit down some where you fool!
Mr. Steele saying that the Republican Party is just fine is like McCain saying the economy is stable....CLUELESS