CNN

The argument that Huckabee prevented Romney from winning the Republican nomination in 2008 is wrong. The reverse would be closer to the truth. Romney has no chance in a Presidential contest because he is a poster child for extravagant spending. Huckabee would have a better chance in 2012 because he was frugal in his campaign style and effective when he governed Arkansas. The American people just need to know that he would not impose his social conservative values on the nation,. just as he did not on the people of Arkansas. His personal example would, however, be a great blessing to the nation.

As a Mormon, Romney believes that in 1834 (or something like that) the angel Moroni showed Mormonism's founder, Joseph Smith, where to dig in upstate New York for gold tablets with writing in a secret language (constituting the Book of Mormon), then produced special lenses through which Smith could read the text in English. Naturally, after Smith was finished translating, the gold tablets and special lenses miraculously disappeared.

And any non-Mormon seriously contends that someone who believes this should be President of the United States?

Trying to keep score...
Is this Steele's and Rush's current list of folks who aren't welcome in the rebuplican party?

John McCain
Meggan McCain
Colin Powell
Arlin Spector
William Bennett
Mormons
Moderates
Scientists

but you have to give them credit for welcoming David Duke with open arms!

I'm not sure where "J" got his first hand information. My great-grandfather joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sweden. He did not join for free passage to the United States. None was offered. He and his wife sent each of their thirteen children, one by one, to America when they had saved enough money for each trip. My grandmother was baptised in Sweden at age eight in the dead of night in middle of the winter so that non-Mormon mobs would not disrupt the service. I am proud of the sacrifices that my ancestors made to join the Church and emmigrate to America.

It is unfortunate that misinformation about the Church, its history and doctrine have distorted the way many Americans view its members.

Mormons...I have a good friend that is mormon. He's a great guy and Mitt is a great guy.
I am a republican, and I like Mormons but I would not vote Mitt because it would be a lost vote. The media and other Christian churches make Mormons out to be evil people because they hold values that are not PC.
Michael Steele was right. It's unfortunate that it is so, but it is.

No matter how conservative, non-Christians just aren't admitted into the Republican "Big Tent" on a national level.

I could hope that Mr. Romney learns from the anti-Mormon bias that the Southern Strategy and appeal to the extreme social conservatism of the religious right in order to preserve tihe right to greed isn't the proper direction for the GOP. Perhaps this is the time to expose the un-Christian attitudes of the religious right?

But I don't think he has the nerve (or the blessing of his church elders) to do so.

" How could anyone vote for a man whose religious belief is that the earth is only 6000 years old ?"

What the heck, the GOP threw up a VP nominee that believes in casting out witches.

Seems about the same to me.

I don't agree with much of what Steele says, and usually I think he speaks in a very off the cuff manner. However, since he was on a radio show, responding candidly to a caller who happened to raise a solid point, Steele responded in an uncharacteristically reasonable manner.

The base of the RNC is the midwestern/southern evangelical. The evangelical movement does not READILY embrace Mormonism. It would prefer for it's leaders and candidates to be evangelicals or at least within that vein. Many people think that Barack Obama is a Muslim. It is not a stretch to then argue that many in the RNC aren't sure that Mormons are actually Christians. Mitt Romney, while an excellent candidate, does have to be honest about certain factors. And to argue with Steele for pointing out those factors (no personal digs, mind you) is pointless and childish. It could have been a perfect opportunity for Mitt Romney to begin a dialogue with those in own party who might be slightly confused by his religion.

Wow Republican'ts! Stick with clowns like Steele and Romney please! Assured of more defeats! Not only that but if anyone who's got half a brain in their head would know, this country will not elect a Mormon anytime soon. Remember they believe that Jesus took a round trip to South America and appeared before the Natives LOLOLOL. Oh and the secret decoder glasses that Joseph Smith used to read the "new bible". That's who I want as my president! hahahahahahahahahaha

I sense a new party emerging. A party of Moderates. The Republicans are getting to conservative for Modern day America.

Steele is right on, Romney would make a good president but there are a lot of issues with the mormon faith and it hurt him. The mormons are more of a cult than a religion.

Having lived in Salt Lake City and not being Mormon, I believe Steele hit it on the head on everything. If there is a perception of the Mormon Church by the general public, it is because the"church" put it there. From almost going to war with the U.S. government when they were first in Utah to banning blacks (until the 60's) to bribing the Olympic Committee they have cultivated an image that is not trusted to this day.

If Romney was in the big white house it would soon be turned into a Morman T.
Where did the seperation of church and state go Republicans ?

steele, when looking back at the conservative party nomination elections, is correct.
The GOP is very picky on who represents them. they want someone as close to Reagan as they can get. Thus Mitt Romney was not, and McCain when the whole of the party got together was.

It's still early, but if the GOP does not get settled down, they wont be competing in 2012, and I as a democrat WANT the GOP competing, because it keeps the current administration on it's toes, I want them to be kept honest, I want Obama to remain as committed to leadership then as he is now. I dont want another Bush episode.

How could anyone vote for a man whose religious belief is that the earth is only 6000 years old ?

it amazes me how the republicans continue this self destructive behavior. In addition to not having any reasonable solutions to our country's problems, they continue to fight amongst themselves like little children craving attention. This is why i recently became a democrat.

When the ticker said top Republican, I thought this was going to be about Rush Limbaugh

Steele wasn't rejecting Romney, he was speaking the truth. I respect and admire both men. I hope Steele sticks around and I pray to god that Romney runs again in 2012, the man is an economic genius!

We need to reinforce the separation of church and state, period. Religion and politics don't mix, and should not mix. Religion is the reason for most past wars. Our founding fathers came to American so that they would have religious freedoms, but they still wanted them to be personal beliefs, not political ones. Religions are cults, and I will never vote for a politician that is super-religious, regardless of party, as that is no way to run our country. I do not want a relgious zelot in charge, as they can make irrational decisons based on "faith", which is beyond scary!

Steele was just letting the nation see the "religious intolerance" of the small-minded republican party. Good for Steele for exposing the truth and hypocrisy for what it really is!!!!!

Romney will not get elected because he constantly puts his foot in his mouth. Like his quoting "who let the dogs out" while taking a photos wtih a group of African American adolescents.

Yah, its funny to watch the traditional Republican apparatus convulsing with distaste at the prospect of including Mormons, minorities, gays, immigrants, and all the other groups it has traditionally dismissed from its tent.

Welcome to the brave new world, GOP. Adapt or die.

Slammer! The truth hurts!

Steele was telling the truth about his party. Mormonism is extremely unpopular with Southern Fundamentalist. When the Pastor of Obama's church made outlandish statements, Obama denounced his Pastor's teachings. Will Romney denounce the teachings of Brigham Young on race??? Will Romney say that it is wrong to kill an interracial couple today, and that it was wrong in the 1850's to kill an interracial couple too???? Does Romney belileve that Young was speaking for God, when Young said that people who mix the blood of races should be killed on the spot. These are the questions that will be raised in the Republican Churches of the South.

Both are acting like a couple of misfits on a grade school playground.

Steele told the truth (for once).

He said the problem was that the "base" of the Republican Party is too bigoted to have someone of a different religion like Mitt Romney (Mormon) to have as a candidate.

His own party is too bigoted. He said it, using different words but that's what he said and it's true.

The other part (about Mitt flip-flopping on abortion depending on what office he's running for) is also totally true.

Unless he moves to Utah and runs for something there, Mitt Romney should forget politics. Perhaps he can get a job doing hair commercials for Clairol, Breck or Grecian Formula.

As long as Steele keeps talking, the Democrats look stronger and the Republicans look more confused.
Nice going Steele. Rush might be a better RNC spokesman at this rate.

I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, supporter of Obama, and not a Republican (nor Democrate). I am saddened at how judgmental "Christians" are. You do your religion (and apparently your party) a disservice. I guarantee Christ would not espouse the vitriol I have read in this forum.

We do not seek to be accepted or liked, but want the understanding of our beliefs to be ACCURATE, something wholly missing from this discussion. I have never heard teaching that indicate hatred toward women, African Americans, or homosexuals (and I have attending church meetings in several states and countries, so I guess I just got lucky). We are taught that women are not men, if that is what is meant by inequality. I would argue the respect we are taught to have toward women against any religious teaching. We are taught that homosexual behavior is immoral, and yes we strongly support marriage defined as between man and woman, but any perusal of LDS.org regarding that stance clearly indicates our love for all people, whether or not we believe their actions are sinful. I don't expect that to be embraced but it is what it is, our intent is not in any way hateful. The history of African Americans in our church is admittedly challenging, so I think the members best able to address it are the many African American who are members of the church.

The prophet does not "control" our thoughts and beliefs any more than the Pope for the Catholics or the stadium pastors and their followers. We are encouraged to ascertain for ourselves if what we are taught is true, more so than any religion I have ever encountered. I am sorry for the outdated texts (Mormons are a cult and Pluto is a planet, right?), and the strong feelings against us. I am just glad I don't hate anyone as much as what I've read here.

Oh, and Romney wasn't the "poster boy" Mormon to run. But he definitely created a forum for all the bigotry to manifest itself.

Steele's days are numbered for telling the absolute truth about Romney. Watch the Dems use Steele's words to trip up Romney if he runs again. And this billionaire will run again!

It was a clumsy thing for the chairman of the party to say, but it was true.

Where is the Boss of the Republican Party on this?

Rush Limbaugh the Boss of the Republican Party.

I think Mr. Romney underestimates evangelicals and their invfluence in the Republican party. I can only say with anecdotal information, Mr. Romney faces an uphill battle with that group. First, his record concerning abortion is troubling at best. Second, the majority of evangelicals look at some religious groups with suspicion in the same manner people were concerned about Kenedy and his Catholicism.

I can understand Mr. Romney's appeal on the business side. However, in today's political landscape, that dog won't hunt.

Mac

Steele's comments were not about Romney's Mormonism, they were about the parochialism of the republican base. His analysis of the reaction of the base might be debateable but I think he was right – the base rejected Romney for all the reasons Steele cites.

Michael Steele is wonderful. He is without any doubt part of the solution to fix America. Everybody back off and let him do his thing.

How cool is that... the GOP is on the brink of extinction, but they still find time to bash each other.
Where were these people 8 years ago? they could have saved us a lot of pain and money.

So let me get this straight....Barack Obama was responsible for the words of his pastor and church but Mitt Romney's shouldn't be up for discussion???? The word hypocritical springs to mind!!! If Obama's church was relevant then certainly Mitt Romney's is. Of course as far as I am concerned neither has any relevance UNLESS it can be shown to be shaping policy. Then and only then does it become an issue.

Mitt Romney would have made an excellent candidate against any Democratic challenger. The idea that Romney was rejected because he was a Morman is the very reason the present Republican party will not win many more elections in the near future.
I have a Morman friend. He is honest, trustworthy, and kind. He has shown empathy. He cares for his wife and children. He works hard to make a living for his family. Seems to me that Romney is the type of guy the Republicans would like. Can't figure them out.

I will proudly state that I am part of what you call the Right, who used to be the mainstream of the Republican party. Many of you seem to want to disregard the importance of Religion in the candidate that you select. A candidates beliefs influence their Policies that affect every voter. The country was founded by the Right . Liberal policies destroy the very moral foundation of this country and lead to immoral decisions, and worse, pushes immorality on people who wish to lead a moral lifestyle. A "Anything goes" lifestyle will cause more crime and mistrust amoung our people. If a voter wants to be immoral they have that right, but they should not be allowed to change society and create policies that force moral people to have to live in a country that will then value indecency. Morality is not a personal choice. It is defined in black and white in the Bible. Even if you don't believe in the Bible, most people who would read the Bible cannot argue with biblical principles. Rush Limbaugh tells the truth, which is why Liberals don't like him. If the GOP wants to be swayed to value Liberalism then it might be time to push Liberals out of the party. They probably will more closely identify themselves with the Democratic party anyway. Let's get back to the principals that made the GOP great and accept everyone into the party as long as they are willing to accept what the party stands for. But they shouldn't be allowed to change the party.

The only reason Mitt was defeated was that he and Huckabee split the conservative vote, leaving McCain as the winner. Otherwise, Mitt might be the President now, good or bad.

Steele bites man and man bites back. Delicious! As for us, we have a government to run.

I can't believe this fellow is now the chairman of the RNC and cluelessly shoots his mouth off at every opportunity. He is a loose cannon who needs to be held under a tight rein, else he will ruin the party's prospects for perpetuity.

I am a Barack Obama voter who would unhesitatingly have voted for Mitt Romney, if he had come through as the republican candidate. Unfortunately, the media hounds railroaded a sure loser like McCain, in as the GOP candidate.

Either way, between McCain and Barack, there was really no contest as to who is better and the better candidate won. Between Mitt and Barack, I would lean towards Mitt.

I was a resident of Massachussetts when Mitt took on the then democratic candidate for Governor, in a thoroughly democratic state and won. He introduced strict fiscal discipline into a state that sorely lacked it and balanced the budget. When he left the governorship, the state was in a much better shape financially, with even a rainy day fund.

Bottomline, if the idiots in the media gave him half a chance, Mitt Romney would have been a terrific commander in chief. Barack Obama (or Hillary Clinton) would have been a close second, IMHO.

Romney all the way in 2012!

Sorry folks, it's not a cult. But if you do go by definition it would appear that all churches are cults. But if left to the individual (especially evangelicals) they all think they're right about their definition of a cult.

Sounds like the republican party has shades of King George in their ranks. Lots of "christian" folks say Romney's brand of christianity isn't acceptable. The colonists defeated King George. US citizens will defeat the religious right, as they have in the last two elections.

Having firsthand experience with the intolerance of LDS followers for others and being of Scandinavian descent. For those of you that are not aware during the depression at the turn of the century in Europe, the Mormons increased their numbers by offering poor Europeans (mostly Scandinavian) free passage to the US if they converted to Mormonism and denounced their other religious beliefs. That and their practice of "sealing" and "baptizing" deceased people to their faith is horrific. I would never trust or vote for someone that believes and practices a belief that has such disregard and bigotry against others.

The GOP is just making things easier for the Democrats. It's easy for Obama to look like Luke Skywalker when Darth Vader and Jabba the Hut are running the Republican Party into the ground. Keep up the good work, dittoheads...

Anyone who seeks power at any cost, who just wants to bask in it, and ignore the people they were elected to serve, need not run in the next election, be they Democrat or Republican. The American people are sick of that mentality and will not tolerate it. From now on, we will speak at the voting booth, and your patronizing, whining, scare tactics will not work anymore. The American people are fed up with you thinking that the masses are stupid and don't know any better. When was the last time you actually sat down and talked with them? All of them. Black, white, red, yellow and brown. Rich, poor, middle class? When was the last time you spent the night in the
"hood" and listened to gun shots ring out just blocks from Capitol Hill where residents are scared to let their kids go out and play for fear of being shot? or sat with a family at a funeral who just lost a loved one in a war that should never have been started? When was the last time you cared about anyone less fortunate than you? When was the last time you actually shopped at a grocery store and tried to feed a a family of four on $200.00 or less a month on food stamps, unemployment, or your regular job? Until you do that, you are not fit to make decisions concerning a dog, much less a whole country, Democrat or Republican. Buy a vowel and get a clue, we are thoroughly sick of all of you.

This is the USA –freedom of religion -Does anyone care that Democrat Harry Reid is a Mormon?

All religions are cults. They blind us to progress and advancement of society. When in history has religion ever stood up to the test of time? Religion offers us valuable insight into moral dilemmas but none should be followed to the letter. That's not why those letters are written. Blind faith poisons our progress into the future.

Evangelicals scare me as much as Mormans do. Both are equally aggressive in their recruitment tactics. Evangelicals have the Good News Club which is an "after school" program ON PUBLIC SCHOOL GROUNDS designed to convert children as young as 5 to become Evangelical Christrians and bear witness to converting their classmates. That is a dirty trick. How do you expect the children at that age to differentiate between what they learn and see IN school versus what they learn AT school when being converted to this narrow brand of bible-literalism. It's very disturbing.

Separation of Church and state is IN THE CONSTITUTION. Its time to uphold this as rule of law.

the reason why his faith should not be tested is because it explicitly states so in our constitution. You may want to brush up and read it. No candidate should have to pass a religious test to hold office. Its unfair and unwise. I live in Utah and mormons are the majority of elected officials, they do just as good a job as the next guy. Besides, the senate majority leader is mormon, Harry Reid.

Not as many people appear to know these days, but mormonism is still a cult. Why would anyone want a cult member in charge of ANYTHING, let alone the top job in our nation? There are some things in life that had better be excluded. Do you invite snakes into your home to roam free?

HEy fellas keep fighting ...good that will give the rest of the country a chance to clean up the mess

Mark my words, the GOP that matters has decided to run Christ in 2012 by getting him to the Senate in 2010. They will use that as a launching pad. Romney will not be the one no matter what he thinks, and it does have a lot to do with his religion and some of his previous waffling on their (the GOP's) core "values". They (the base) don't trust him to really be one of them.

I find it ironic that the GOP is focusing on the religion issues when there are things needs to be done. in this country. The reason I did not like Romney was the fact that he was a flip flopper like Kerry and continuesly attack the state where he was governor. This shows why the GOP is in trouble and they need to take a good look at themselves before they start their sideshow. The GOP lost period because they kept looking for a conservative candidate and every one drop out save for Mike Huckabee -even then he had no chance.

Steele is a disgrace to the Republican Party and should be replaced asap. Maybe he could co-host the Limbaugh show.

Romney is a classic "flipflopper." He changes his views when it is convenient politically for him. I don't think the guy has a real thought in that pretty little head. There are a lot of Evangelicals that think Mormons are a "cult" so that will be a hurdle for him too. What it comes down to though is that a vast majority of Americans see the Republicans as a party of no ideas, a party of division, and a party that is past its prime (it peaked when Lincoln was President).

Oh big surprise. The only reason he's attacking Steele is because he realizes being a Mormon is not good when running for the presidency. If he starts attacking Steele now, he can intimidate others from talking about his “Mormon problem” in the future. He wants to distract people, but I’m not buying it. He will never be my president, ever.

I say Mormon problem because any religion that does not allow a race of people to join is not a good religion. Period.

Romney said he cried when they allowed blacks in, and he said he cried because it was long overdue. I don’t believe him. I think he cried because he didn’t want blacks in.

How many times have we heard Republicans scream, "We are a Christian nation"? Except, when they want to champion the candidacy of one Mitt Romney. The Right will never accept this guy and Michael Steele was right (for once).

It's interesting how some people seem to think they can tell us who the 'real' or 'true' Republican, Christian, American, Patriot, etc. is. Makes you wonder, especially when they start pointing fingers and telling us who 'isn't' a 'real' . Cheney and Limbaugh and Newt, oh my! Guess I'm just not a real and true American.

Yeah, they're 'real' all right, real #s*&o#@s!

Religion ruins all.

I find Steele's comments to be bigoted. I am a demcorat that voted for Romney because of his expertise on the economy. I think he is the only GOP candidate that can defeat Obama in 2012 and I proudly support Mitt Romney for president.

Maybe Rush can come up with a symbol to give to those who he deems Republican enough. The swastika would be very appropriate.

Call it what you will, but I would support candidates from practically any other faith over those who twist and distort the Christian faith. I might even go so far to say I'd vote for a person with opposing views over a Mormon

I don't think Romney can be elected because he wouldn't get the crucial support of Christian conservatives, many of whom are very leery of Mormonism.

What is a Christian? A Christian is who believes in Jesus Christ, who is the son of God and the Savior! The Mormon religion believes in just that. Religion should not play a roll in Politics, especially in this great free countty!

This shows the level of tolerance within Republican party. You either have to be a ditto-head, or merely repeating the [failed] party mantra. Steele is probably right in pointing out issues with the personalities that brought the party down. The echoes of Cheney and Limbaugh are all clear as to the direction of the party – a party that has euphemism for torture and a party that still promotes failed economic policy. Perhaps Steele is trying to set the table for the "right" people to join the party discourse.

Steele's comments are true, of course. Why he would say them, I don't know.

But Romney has to be aware that when Mormons are elected by non-Mormons, they are elected by liberals. So good luck in the South, Mitt.

Funny to read how people accuse Romney of his religion. Yet, how many times did he ever refer to his beliefs except his belief in the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the goodness of America.

Government should be a non-prophet organization...

This is truly the gang that couldn't shoot straight. Mitt's problem is that, as with his Limbaugh comments, Steele is dead on right – but the Republican party doesn't want to hear it. Mitt will never win the presidency. No well known Republican could do it in this environment. By their own spectacular incompetence and failures, Republicans have doomed themselves to political irrelevance until a new generation of leaders comes along. Enjoy it while it lasts.....

Regarding Romney, I think Huckabee had it right when he said that Romney looks like the guy who fired you [or someone you know].

I am not surprised of the state of the union of the Republican Party. Whatever is happening has already happened before it comes to light. The soul of the party was prepared immediately for the moment after the Supreme Court decision to award Bush the presidency. What follows was the spirit behind their decisions. It was further solidified by four more years of arrogant expression and full speed support by the GOP when the former president declared “I have the full mandate to do whatever it takes." The dept of what took place is the result of the GOP's current state of the union. What is currently happening is just the trailer, and there is the real drama about to take place before awakening.

Really, when you think about it, no one that believes in a higher power has free will... Glad I don't have to carry that burden. As far as Steele -Romney are concerned, let 'em at it.. If the republican party can't decide, even within the party, what the party is then that is all the better for the democrats... Let's get religion out of government..

Fact #1 – Al Christians are not Republican. All Pastors and Heads of Churches are not Republican. Please stop equating Christians with this party. I am a Christian. I am pro-choice. I do not believe in gay marriage. I voted for Barack Obama. There are more issues at stake in this country than abortion. Anyone who focuses on that one issue and uses it as a litmus test for a candidate is narrow minded and one dimensional. The Republican Party in this day and age, is not the Republican party of the past. A President, the Congress and the Supreme Court should all remember that they were elected to SERVE the PEOPLE and not themselves. That is why they are not in power and will never be in power until they stop believe that they are entitled to the White House and get on the same page that the people are on. A new image will not change the party. New thinking will.

It is interesting reading these posts with all the ones talking about the bickering going on in the GOP and all the name calling but can any one of you tell me that the Democrats are a peaceful, loving party there up in DC. Seems both sides have their same personalities just different names. So before you throw that next stone, take a look at each party. I see it that it is no longer about the parties it is abuot each individual and how much power they can have!!!

People have the right to question the "faith" of their leader.
Mormons maybe Christians. The Mormons believe that they are the only true Christian church on earth, so the rest of the churches are wrong. The bible is not enough; it is polluted by teaching of men, hence the need of new revelations including the additional Mormon books. The Vatican for example recognizes baptisms made by the Baptist church but not the Mormons. All these show that the Mormons are not the same as other Christian religions. Why should people not question or have reservation about Rommey, his faiths and his everchanging political views. This man attacks Obama all the time, why should people not ask about his faith?

Mr. Steele is telling the truth, people may not like it; it may not be politically correct.

African Americans for example could not go to the Mormons highest Heaven after death until 1978…

By the way Mr. Steele is black. It is ironic that people and groups that cause segregation in one form or other hate to be segregated.

Why should people not have the right to question Rommey about his Mormonism? He and any American can believe or not believe whatever they want, but if their "faith" shapes their policies, and their policies shape our lives, then we have the right to question their faiths.

Now CNN you may not post this one either!

Steele makes good points. Too bad he didn't make them last year before Romney wasted millions in a failed primary race.

Face it! The truth hurts sometimes but has to be said, anyone doesn't think that Romney's Mormonism is a factor to him being a weak canidate has his head in the sand. It's a sad fact that very conservative Christians do have an issue with Romney's religion.

Romney can't win in the South. Get someone else.
I actually don't care who you get because I'm voting for Barack Obama!

He amy have won all that stuff and that is fine and dandy but he still did not win. and he is not our pres. so aybe steele is right. for the first time ever.

Oh! I get it, we can thump on Obama all day long for being "a Muslim" but somebody mentions Romney being Mormon and everybody gets all up in arms? Excellent work guys, keep it up and you'll force everyone out of the party. I'm an independent after years of voting republican and you folks keep reinforcing that I made the right decision.

Romney won't win he next nomination so the point is moot.

Hard to believe the amount of misinformation that is displayed in Michael Steele's comments and these blog responses about a major, growing worldwide christian church. As with most things, it's best to educate yourself before spreading disinformation. Romeny, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, certainly represents the church to a large group that know nothing about it but, contrary to the believe of many, his actions are not dictated by a prophet or anyone else. He is as free to make his own choices as any other candidate. Actually, he is probably much freer because of his ethics and educational and political background. Unlike most politicians, the current administration not excepted, he made himself who he is and dosen't answer to anyone.

Let them destroy each other, it is all that they know how to do.
No solutions for anything, just HATE and discontent with everyone.

The GOP is for all practical purposes is irrelevant now and maybe for good..

After the Muslim, a Mormon will look great.

Mormons are a scary clan/cult. I was married to one. Their job is control of the masses, no free will, and if do not fall in line with the prophet your are basically exiled from your own family.

What Rush don't like Romney either? I suppose they will call for him to go to the other side also. Cheny/rush for 2012 Yeah that's the ticket

No matter what Mormons call themselves – Church of JC and LDS – they do hold to the basics of the Christian faith. They are NOT and cannot be considered Christians. Yet, they persist in trying to make the public believe they are something they are not.

No matter where Romeny falls on the issues, I do not think I could ever vote him or for any Mormon.

Call it what you will, but I would support candidates from practically any other faith over those who twist and distort the Christian faith. I might even go so far to say I'd vote for a person with opposing views over a Mormon.

Michael Steele has just lost my support.

Why are the Republicans arguing about who is more conservative?? Are they now not allowing moderate Republicans, like myself, into the Party? When it becomes a stigma to be moderate you've got to realize that you are arguing the absurd..

But there are issues with Mormonism and the general population!

One of the reference books on religion in our college library lists Mormonism under cults! and this is an academic reference. They must follow blindly all those teachings.

Who cares what Republicans think about anything?

They have destroyed our economy with their greed-based fiscal policies, and gotten us into an unwinnable war by lying and lying again.

They have politicized the judiciary to the point that losers like Norm Coleman think they can steal elections from Democrats by just holding on until they can appeal to the GOP members of the Supreme Court.

Sheesh. Republicans, get out of the way so our real leaders can get our country back on the right course.

Maybe religion has no place in politics. My interpretation of separation of church and state. It always brings out the loonies.

What's funny is that Mitt Romney is probably the only person who can save the U.S. economically now –

Successful CEO (look at how he saved jobs and companies with Bain), turned a deficit into a surplus in MA by taxing luxuries instead of income and cutting spending. And he likes things Dems and liberals like, i.e. a successful universal health care bill in MA b/c it requries those who can afford it to buy it or get fined instead of just giving health care to everyone.

And he's a flip flopper! Why isn't he a Democrat again? Oh yeah, the whole fiscally conservative thing...

Gov Romney was my choice for president this past election, but unfortunately, McCain won the nomination. I would vote for Romney against any democrat, including Obama, but I still don't like the idea that Mormons are controlled by their "Prophet" (no free will). I believe many republicans would not vote for McCain because they preferred Romney even with their religious reservations.

On his show today, I'll bet Rush Limbaugh doesn't dispute the political disadvantage of being a Mormon, Republican presidential candidate.

This is what happens when you mix religion and politics.

Oh my, does the truth hurt?! (Only when it comes from Steele)

I really don't like this guy. However, he's right.

When they say "religious right" they're not talking about all religion. They should say only christians need apply.

This is what happens when religion is a major part of a political party......

It has nothing to do with his "Mormonism" – is has to do with his political idea and the way Mitt checks which way the wind is blowing before he takes a stand on anything - and, those stands can change in an instant. He has a great nickname here in MA (Mitt the -hit) and he deserves it. He left the state bankrupt, and was FOR abortion rights (to get elected) then was against them. He is a Ken-doll – no substance. If he is the leading candidate for the GOP, they truly are in trouble....

Gov Romney was my choice for president this past election, but unfortunately, McCain won the nomination. I would vote for Romney against any democrat, including Obama, but I still don't like the idea that Mormons are controlled by their "Prophet" (no free will).

Sometimes you search everywhere for answers without realizing that its right there in front of you staring at your face. Well look no further-–Cheney/Limbaugh 2012. Tough as nails, in your face candidates this country needs.

Steele is ignorant and should not be allowed airtime.

Steele was right. The republicans need to move away from right wing religious politicians before they will have a chance. America woke up and now the majority is voting, as it should be, The right wing only speaks for a very very small populous.

The Republican are eating their own. 2010 is not looking good for a party that is so badly broken. I think they are the political equivalent to Humpty Dumpty and it can't be put together again. It's a shame because we do need a viable second party. I am a firm Democrat but our party needs people to offset Pelosi, Reid and the likes in the house and senate. Americans do not like extreme platforms for either party. Steele made a very poor choice when he spoke about Romney's religion. The Republicans need to learn that religion has no place in government and never should.

Republicans are losing because they are becoming like Democrats. If Romney's religion will cost the party even 1% in lost votes then he is not the right choice. The other choice would be to do the right thing, stand on principle, nominate Romney, and lose. There is principle and there is reality – who gains by falling on their sword?

The Republicans need to confine their choices for a presidential candidate to old, white, protestant men and Sarah Palin.

We should have to pay good money for the opportunity to watch this Republican sideshow. I love the smell of Republicans imploding in the morning!!

I admire Gov Romney so much, but I don't like the idea of his "Prophet" dictating his beliefs. That would be much the same thing as Obama's Rev Wright's dictating beliefs, and we now see how much Obama has been controlled by his radical pastor.

read this post just to try and find out WHO the top Republican is.

The Republicans might not believe in abortion or gay marriage, but they sure believe in cannibalism. Eat 'em up, boys!

The LDS church is America’s longest running (and most popular) cult. These people are not Christians they are Mormons who use more than one religious text and more than one spouse.

I’m happy Romney espouses conservative values but he does need to learn to take criticism from Christians for falsely claiming that religion of his own “cuz it just aint the same.”

Mormons also believe that black people are fallen people who are cursed (I aint kiddin folks look it up) and forced to walk the Earth with there darkened skin!

This may be why Steele is all bent out of shape—where’s the love my brotha.

It is wildly amusing watching the republicans self destruct.

So he's just now noticing that the "Republican base" consists of religious bigots? Maybe they're also racists . . .

I thought the Republicans were trying to reinvent themselves to be more appealing to the masses??? Seems like business as usual.

Steele should not be the chairman of the Republican Party. Bottom line is how many times do we have to apologize for comments he make? How many times do we have to make excuses for Steele when he doesn't say the correct things even in a rebuttal against the Demoncrats?

As silly as Steele comes across sometimes, he actually says a lot of honest things, and Republicans should at least hear him out. I did not like Romney because he's a flip-flopper, but many in the Republican base did not like him mostly because of his Mormonism. All these issues have the same thread: intolerance. Serves Romney right since he and his church are all too happy to discriminate against gays. When will people realize that fostering fear and intolerance will eventually come back to bite you personally? We all have some trait that could be discriminated against. The southern bible thumpers should know that better than anyone.

The hatred withing the Republican Party has gotten so bad that they are now turning on one another. I don't see how the party can prosper when they appear to be trying to exclude people rather than include them. they appear to be attemping to "purify" the party with onlt the most hard core conservitives. This is a highly dangerous prospect.

Steele may be correct regarding Christian conservatives' unease with Romney's positions in the past. He was governor of Massachusetts after all. But, otherwise, Steele has proven he's not fit for the GOP job.

But for all the liberal whining about Mormons and other Christians on this website – "they hate women," "they hate gays," etc., – how come we never hear the lefties talk that way about Muslims? Afraid to talk about that?

The American Taliban is alive and well, unless your a straight white christian right wing bigot there is no place in the GOP for you. As for Mike Steele a figure head to to try and draw those African-Americans that support President Obama. This is what happens when you inject religion into any conversation, it ruins EVERYTHING!!!

I am a Mormon and I will not want people of my faith to be the President. Mormon has a long way to go in becoming more charitable and less judgmental. Mormons are very inclusive which is very bad for the country.

Interestingly, Obama is more Christ-like than so called Mormons.

The part that Steele has right is that Romney is a big fake. When he ran against Ted Kennedy he was way to the left, then!!!!
Just like darling Arlen he changed his stripes just to try to get elected, not because of any cor beliefs. Just another big phoney.

It's sad that religion plays a big part in our election process, but I don't mind this bickering within the GOP Party.

Makes the Democrat Party look mature.

Steele is there because of his race, and even though he is the Top of the GOP in a sense hes still being ignored even when hes telling the truth which he has been doing a good bit of latley. An Honest GOP is what the public wants not the scheming sneaky untrustworthy GOP we had over the last 8 years. Either way Barak will win the 2012 elections unless something crazy happens lol If i was a GOP candidate i would wait till 2016

Michael Steele is guilty of a gaffe. He is guilty of telling the truth. Because whether you like it or not GOP, those things he stated were true.

Like cockroaches running to hide when the lights go on. Reject this honesty business as it shines a light on the ugliness of their party.

No one questioned Obama's faith... whatever that is... yet we dwell on Romney. Grow up America! We need a leader that will put the people back in charge. When people fear the gov't, it's tyranny, when gov't fears the people, it's liberty. I'm very afraid of the Federal Government, right now!

I did care that he was Mormon. I did not vote for him because he was a Mormon. I would not vote for anyone who stands on any religious soap box, no matter what the faith. Religion is a huge impediment to my gaining civil rights within the country where I was born and raised. If he was at all like Bush, he would have answered to a higher being and screw the electorate. He was more interested in showing off his offspring than answering hard questions. His boys went with him everywhere he went (they are filthy rich) and he never failed to spend 30 minutes pointing them out. Look at me!!! I'm heterosexual and I am man enough to make lots of babies....WHO CARES? Mormons put a great deal of emphasis on overpopulation of the planet but oppose relationships that cannot reproduce. They look the other way when they see polygamy, but become rightious when they see a loving gay couple. I feel that Romney didn't make it because the Republican base didn't like where he was from – Massachussetts – the first state of gay marriage.

As a fiscal conservative, pro-Constitution Democrat, Romney was my hopeful for the Republican party, in case Obama did not win the presidency. Unfortunately, everyone dropped out to make room for McCain, who basically had no chance of winning. I don't know if they figured this election was hopeless for the Republicans or not, but I could see myself potentially voting for Romney in 2016.

As far as the Republican party goes, I believe the fundamentalist, foreign interventionist, anti-Constitution arm of the party should form a separate party, the Theocratic Party, so that the true Conservatives remaining can rebuild the Republican Party back to what it once was (the party I would gladly vote for time and time again, whereas I currently couldn't see myself voting for many Republicans)

Actually, as a steadfast liberal atheist, I really like Romney compared to the other Republicans. I probably wouldn't vote for him, but I would be far less concerned if he were to become president versus *shudder* failin' Palin.

untill people get it together and realize that this is not a religious monarchy, and that we have freedom and religion is this country and thus that the presidency is a secular position, good people will continue to be put on the back burner.

I voted for Obama, but had Romney gotten the nomination, the decision would have been tougher, and i think we would have president Romney.

I'snt it ironic that while Mitt is going around the country spitting venom at the Democrat's and Obama he is taking on friendly fire from his many enimies within. So why is it a wonder that the Republicans is in such a disray. To be truthful the republican party is already split and is in disrepair. And might as well emerge as two seperate parties. I say so long to nasty rubbish.

The GOP is largely composed of: Religious Conservatives, Fiscal Conservatives, NRA Supporters, Big Military supporters, and Big Businesses who want low taxes and little gov regulation. The trouble with that SALAD of a constituency is that they don't all have the same goals. In recent years the religious wing has been trying to pull the party to the far right. This effectively 'pulls the blanket' off the other groups in the party, such that the bickering ramps up. The way I see it, there probably no real hope for the GOP. Unless something profound happens, the the GOP will never be able to generate enough unity to be viable again. There's just too many diverse interests and no desire to compromise for the greater good.

Steele could not be more wrong. He needs to engage his brain before throwing his mouth in gear.

I love all the "it's the media's fault" comments. The biggest contributor to the total downfall of the Republican party is all the time they spend blaming the media instead of taking a good hard look at themselves. If the Republicans want to survive, they should take some responsibility for their own actions. Iraq, 90% of the downfall of the economy (the unregulated CDS market is as much a Clinton issue as a Bush issue), soaring health care costs, a battered foreign policy, unapologetic bigotry and racism, on and on and on and on. 8 years of complete destruction with hard numbers to prove it but the Republicans want to blame the media instead. The media doesn't need to make the Republican's look like a bunch of mouth breathing neophytes. You're doing a fine job of that on your own. By the way, your fearless leader, Rush Limbaugh, is part of the media.

Steele should know ! He is their spokesman !
Maybe the GOP does have a problem with Mormans/an or Romney ....shows how they think ,how inconclusive they are and why they are in trouble. Steele spoke the truth , and until the GOP quits not taking constructed criticism , they will not be a strong party for the whole country , will stay in the backward south. And they eat up the GOP ! But most people , Dems , Independents etc voted a capable black man into office , they would vote for a Morman if he is capable. But it is the GOP that has a probelm with anything that does not fit into their little club that is shrinking by the year.

The Republicans continue their slide into oblivion...the country needs a strong 2 or 3 party system but the GOP is no longer relevant. Bush, Cheney and Rove have done damage that will not be repaired for many, many years. Thankfully we now have someone who will put the pieces back together!

Southern Republicans DO have an issue with Mormonism and that's not going away. As a Mormon I can accept their scrutiny and their comments. But they seem to be doing their best to drive away some of the most coservative members of the Republican coalition. The Republican party must be a conservative party or it is just Democrat lite. But the infighting is reprehensible. The party cannot win without a united south but it also can't win without most of the intermountain west.

I used to be a donor to the RNC and a registered Republican but I no longer am. I consider myself to be an Independent. This is a direct result of the acrimony shown towards Mormons and the party's abhorrent spending patterns. Maybe it's time for a third party.

I get so sad when hearing things like this. The President of the United States only needs to be an intelligent, thoughtful person who is a good and effective leader for the military and economic interests of our country. Waaaaaay too much emphasis is put on social issues and interpretations of religious issues. Like the saying goes....would you rather have your brain surgeon be someone who is an athiest but graduated at the top of his/her class, or would you rather have your brain surgeon be a very devout Christian (or whatever other religion) who graduated at the bottom of his or her class? I'm horrified that statesmanship and public service has come down to a matter of stances on social issues and sound bites.

Mormonism and democracy, think again, Mormons believe that women are not equal to men. Separate of Church and State is essential to maintain a democracy. Thank God we have a current president that truly believes that.

It's ironic that the same people who keep telling the GOP to redefine itself and go back to its core values deride the party leadership for trying to define itself and determining what its core values are.

What you are watching is a party that is openly debating what it is and who will be the leaders of the future. If all you see is in-fighting and back-stabbing you are missing the bigger picture. This will settle down before the 2010 mid-term primaries and you will see the GOP start picking up seats across the country. Americans rejected Carter's failed ideas when Carter ran for a second term, expect them to reject Carter's failed ideas again when Obama runs for a second term.

I'm a Democrat but IF I had to have a Republican President, it sure as hell will NOT be Romney! I DO NOT WANT A MORMON AS PRESIDENT!

I can't help it. I love the infighting going on in the Republican party.
Steele is an ideologue and he goes after Romney.
Cheney is after Powell. Rush is a loud mouth who no one respects.
It just doesnt get any better than this folks.

Does that make you want to be a Republican?

You know its funny, the authoritarian party (GOP) seam to have really short lived memories. Old Mitt lost because he was a Mormon and not a "christian". Its that simple and its fact. Sorry Mitt and your other religious extremists who are going to now try and pretend the christian party is not as closed minded as it truly is. They chose McCain over Mitt... HELLO!

I think Michael Steele is a fantastic leader of an American political party. Even this very accurate statement isn't addressed in Romney's camp rebuttal...because it is 100% accurate. As a repbulican and Jewish American who works for a very large international US company founded by Mormans, there is an extreme conservative foundation that is and should be subject to review in a presidential candidate. Shut up liberals by not shying away from their attacks and be yourself. Mr. Steele is a very decent American but because he's not a democrat, they'll NEVER accept anything he has to say. A democrat will accept any characteristic except an opposing political point of view.

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We American's need to set our religious needs and beliefs aside in our politics or we will become the very people/civilization that we are fighting against today overseas. Can't American's and our political leaders see that we have become them who practice radical religious beliefs in the Middle East. Do we really want to become them? Our involvement in Iraq, Afganistan, Iran is and has become a religious war fighting Christian's against the Moslium world. We need to get religion out of the Pentagon and out of our politics or we are no better then the people we are fighting today! ****************************************************************

They are one bunch of angry human beings for sure.

Why would you want to be a part of a party that literally wallows in anger and bitterness?

Weird.

The best outcome for the rest of us is for the Republican Party to continue doing what it is doing now: shredding any pretense of the GOP as a national political party that can provide options to the policy direction of the Obama Administration. I predict that within a few years the GOP will be gone off the national stage to be replaced by a ‘Green’ party that is to the political left of Obama. The Greens will provide a counter weight to the newly minted ‘conservative’ Democratic Party.

Do you remember when Republicans where laughing at democrats during the primary battle betwen Hillary and Barack and were even ready to sabotage the primaries to push hillary forward?
Now it's the Democrats Turn to sit back and lough at the GOP. What goes around comes around.

I remember when John Kennedy was running and the prediction that if he were potus the pope would run the country. That didn't happen.The reason I wouldn't vote for Romney is he's too into self and out of touch with the real people of either party. They tried to cover that up but it shone right through. If he's picked to run in 2012 the GOP will lose because he's untrustable.

Romney should have been the GOP candidate in '08. He would've won, then we wouldn't be stuck with the socialist we currently have in The White House.

The RNC picked Steele for the same reason McCain picked Palin and it had nothing to do with qualifications. It was an act of disperation.

Unfortunately, STEELE is unfit to be a Party Chairman. He was named because some thought that this was a "politically correct" move. It is time that politician realize that being a women or minority s not a qualiication !!!

instead of fighting...fix the HEALTH CARE....LET AMERICAN PAs be autonomous...health industries produce more generic drugs...stop importing foreign doctors...

There is no room for the truth in a politically correct world. Whether it is right or wrong, Steele stated the truth.

The Republican party really stands a chance of going extinct because of their backwards beliefs and many of their amorale "leaders". It has become the party of closed mined old white folks or else those whoi think their religion is the only path.

They are both right and wrong.

A lot of Mormons supported Romney just because he was Mormon, which was too bad really, because Romney represents everything that is wrong with Mormonism. In a church that preaches putting off the things of the world, he is obsessed with his appearance, materialistic, and worldly. And yet for all his worldliness, he is narrow-minded and terribly out-of-touch with non-Mormons; while coming across as (too) nice in public, he is secretly cynical about and resentful of the world that differs from his deeply-ingrained value system. The truth is, many Mormons are intensely anxious and nervous about what the world thinks of them–they want desperately to be accepted and liked.

Yeah, this is what happens when you tell the truth in the republican party – you get the dogs set on you.

Romeny can get his panties all in a twist over this perceived slight, but the fact is the negative impact of his Mormonism was all over the airwaves when he was running. It's just denial to pretend it wasn't a detriment in a party dominated by Talibangelicals.

And let's not forget, Steele is right again that these same bible abusers had a BIG problem with Romney not being a cafeteria christian regarding abortion.

I'm from MD, and we always knew Michael Steele was a bit of an empty suit. Its so great to see the Republicans' cheap, self-serving superficiality – they assumed it had to be the man's (Obama) race (black) not the man, so they picked Steele. Too funny! Now he turns out to be a complete air ball. Bad mouthing one of the front runners! Excellent entertainment. Steele is like a fish flapping around on the dock as it struggles in death. I hope he does more damage before they finally get rid of him. Its so much fun the Repubs tear each other apart. You can't buy this kind of entertainment.

I have my reasons for rejecting Mitt. But Steele is nuts. He attacks everyone and everything and is a poster child for what's wrong with the Republican party.

You know you just can't hate everyone and everything all the time!!!!

You can't just say "NO" in every situation and you can't keep shooting yourselves in the face at every turn and expect people to believe in and vote for you.

The Republican party is a mess and Colin Powel was right. He's one of the few I respect in that party.

Chenney, limbaugh and all the rest are your worst enemy. I'm a moderate and vote for the best candidate and I can tell you this: From what I've seen, there is no way I could vote for any Republican right now!

Does anyone on here actually know anything abiout politics or read anything past the headline? Bunch of knee-jerk reacting loyalists.

I'd like to see one Conservative get through a post without the words "liberal," "leftist," "socialist," or "Messiah." Similarly I'd like all the Democrats to get through a sentence not reminding us of the mess Bush left, the win in November and what it means to the GOP, and the word "irrelevant."

I bet you can't.

If one of you thought for yourself every once in a while you'd see the brutal irony of crying "liberal media" on a mainstream News site – to get YOUR opinion accross. And the incredibly callus tone of a political party that touts a higher maturity level than that of republicans, but it rarely shows.

And "Grow up," holds little ammo when hurled by an adult with severe emotional problems.

The Republicans are like cannibals, eating each other up. Sure makes for good entertainment though. Religion needs to be separated from politics-period!

-Tomkat-

Republicans are hilarious. Why are you guys always so angry about stuff? Can't you just come up with some concise politacal agendas and work together to execute them???

But the question is, Did he win?" Answer is "NO."

Mitt - come on over to the Democratic Party. We've love to have you and Colin Powell on our side. I'm sure we can find both of you a good jobs where your talents and contributions will be appreciated. Just look for the big tent.

Had John McCain asked Mitt Romney to be his running mate instead of that lipsticked loudmouth Sarah Palin, he may have had a serious chance at becoming President. I MAY have considered voting for him. I bet others would too. I'm sure McCain recognizes the error of his ways at this point.

That said, who cares if Mitt Romney is Mormon? As long as he doesnt try to convert me, or shove his beliefs down my throat like Sarah Palin does, its a non issue in my eyes. Just run the country, competently, recognize the separation between church and state, and let the Higher Powers (and no, that DOES NOT MEAN Rush, Cheney, Hannity, Coulter, ect) worry about the religious end.

See what I mean about having and intelegent opinion M Steele told the truth and was hit by the very person he was defending. What was wrong with him talking about and administration that he was not in control of at the time. I see it very strange that sup "wannabees" dont know the difference between change and more of the same. Steele whom I dont really like raises a strong arguement about how the leaders in the party are all old grumps who need to live a little more. I mean the worst person in the world is Sean Hannity who in my mind hated Mitt Romney and doomed him from the start.

Internal political wrangling among party members would be best left confidential. Public airing of doubt, much less dirty laundry, only serves to cast a negative light on the entire party. Don't do the opposing party's work for them.

Sorry children these swings in power have happened over and over in history. Your just too young to remember. It's the republicans turn to hug thier teddy but it will be your turn next.

The ufortunate truth about Romney:

The narrow minded southern baptists that compose the base of the republican party will NEVER accept a mormon for president because to them mormons are a CULT.

I didn't have a problem with Romney because of his religion. I thought he was a good man, and someone that could have led us out of the economic crisis. Oh, wait it's not a crisis since Obama was elected. Oh wait, yes it was until Obama got his bill passed to pay back Wall Street for his campaign contributions. Oh wait, it's not a crisis and everything is hunky dory, and unemployment didn't rise this month. Does anyone realize that at some point unemployment will not be able to fall anymore, because everyone is already out of a job?

Romney, Steele and the rest of the Republican party need to just concentrate on their core values and that is socialism for the wealthy elite, if your in disbelief just think of the bailouts for wall street and the banking and insurance industries, thats were thier heart is.

more deterioration amidst the GOP. I will be glad when the USS Rush Limbaugh finally meets its fate when it hits that iceberg.

I rejected Romney for his too-good-looking-for-a-bona-fide-republican,

not for his "mormon belief"

which is about the same as my "mainstrem christian" belief.

The Mormons spent $80 million trying to deny fellow American citizens equal civil rights. Now that's a quality the GOP needs in a leader right?

Watching the GOP feud its way into permanent mediocrity is getting downright entertaining. Michael Steele represents Uncle Tom to most Black Americans and Mitt Romney represents the face of discrimination to Gay Americans. Good job of inclusion their GOP.....you're history, which is a good thing for most Americans.

I am certain that the libs love this, it is a nice distraction to the real issues and failures of party that is in total power.

This is just part of the process to choose the GOP candidate.
But please continue love the "eat your children" comments.

Why is it "bigoted" to say that the GOP had issues with Romney's Mormonism? He put himself out there as a Morman in the presidential race, always bringing up his Morman views. If you are a Catholic, Baptist, Evangelical whatever, etc., you are narrow in those particular views. We need to keep religion OUT of government. This is what happens when you don't. If politians would just run on their political values and ideas for improving the country no one would know one way or the other what religion they were and it wouldn't be the "big issue" it has become since the Bush administration used it to it's benefit. There are many, many religious or non-religious views in our country and we all need to learn to respect the differences and just get along.

This is nothing more than the liberal media spinning this to look like the Republican party is in fighting and to take the American people's attention off the fact that they are ruining this country by spending all this money on their liberal projects like heathcare, infrastructure building, education and job creation. If they would just stop with their socialist agenda, then Romney and Steele would be friends again.

The GOP conservative Christians have an issue with any religion that is different from what they believe. America is a blended nation with several different religious beliefs who have managed for decades to live together as one nation. Sad that the GOP now bows to the extreme religious right and has forgotten our founding fathers did not want to mix politics with religion.

Steele seems to be speaking a truth. The Republicans haven't dealt with the truth for 8 years and it is very uncomfortable for them. Remember this is a party that was NOT uncomfortable with Sarah Palin, a right wing, reactionary, religious zealot, who in so many words said that if you weren't like her, then you weren't acceptable. It is attitudes like Sarah's that have fragmented the party, and pushed good, solid politicians like Mr. Romney to the margins.

The American political system is based on two parties full of thoughtful, educated, dedicated, truthful (mostly) people. The Republican party has become this weird creature with a life and a reality of its own, that has no contact with the real world. Let's hope others get the guts Steele has to start talking about what's wrong with the party, and then fixing it.

I am a conservative Christian and I DID vote for Romney in the primary. I did so, because I aggreed with most of his positions. Yes I know he has flip-flopped, THEY ALL DO! I felt that as long as he does what he says he'd do, then I felt he was going to make a good President. I also knew a lot of other people who voted in the primary and would not vote for him SOLEY on the basis that he is a Morman. I thought that was very narrow minded and stupid. If you disaggree with what he says he intends to do, that's fine. I also think that both Juan McCain and Huckelberry ganged up on him to make sure that he was not the nominee. When it comes to economics and national security, Romney is right, those are the most important things not abortion, healthcare, or welfare, unfortunately a lot of stupid people have forgotten that. Our party needs a good conservative who is also articulate and can debate not only Obama, but this sorry biased media. Romney was the closest thing we had to that during the last election cycle. I think that the Romney camp did over-react to Steele's statements, he was not directing his critisism at Romney as much as he was stating a fact about many in the base.

Aaaah, poor little Mitt Romeny, did he get a boo-boo? Did your feelings get hurt?

Please GO HOME Mitt and get your momma to change your pul-ups. Politics is for the BIG DOGS, not whinny puppies. GO HOME and lick your wounds to yourself. NO CARES.

Actually, Steele is right - Flip Romney has no values. He'll do or say ANYTHING and change his positions on EVERYTHING depending on the audience. When he ran for governor of Mass, he was a pro-choice moderate who believed in gay rights. Enough said.

What's up with Michael Steele? He makes controversial statements, and when anyone criticizes him, he backs off. Here's a tip, Michael. Either say what you think and stand by your words, or don't say anything that's not boring, bland and completely focus group tested. Your present course makes you look foolish.

And the pendulum swings...

Keep that in-fighting going Republicans!!

Meanwhile we Democrats will continue repairing the atrocious damage you wreaked on global relations and domestic human rights.

Steele is actually correct. What he fails to realize, however, is that it's the closed-minded republican base that is going to alienate good republican candidates resulting in more election losses.

Where are the grassroots Republicans? We don't want Romney because he's part of the old boy network, not because he's Mormon...

Lethargic and effortless comments are not necessary and show a lack of understanding. What kind of base are you referring to, only US? Actual church membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is 13,508,509. David O. McKay, ninth President of the church, debunked the false philosophy that blacks had the mark of cain, and is a completely ignorant and erroneous belief that is a lie perpetuated just like the one about Rush Limbaugh saying that James Earl Ray should receive a posthumous Medal of Honor for the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (reference blacklds.org).

Steele continues to confirm what a poor choice he was for RNC chairman. He has the look and feel of an Obomba (not misspelled) supporter. If it hadn't been for the idiot 'Huckleberrys' in the Republican party, we'd have had a true conservative running against the Democruds socialist candidate instead of RINO McCain ... someone with actual life accomplishments ... someone who wouldn't have trashed his country overseas while bowing to his Saudi king.

Steele was right. I was very involved in the Party and the Christian Right did have a problem with Romney being a Mormon. It's too bad, he's a good man.

The republican party has been dysfunctional for quite some time,,,,,let's hope they remain this way. It is much better to see the republicans fighting with each other,,,,,this way they are showing their true colors. The longer the republicans are out of power,,,,,,our chances of fighting another war in another country are very slight. For whatever the reason is,,,,,,,,the draft dodgers do get us involved in a war somewhere.

Steele is partially right.

Romney is a total centrist in his practice. But then last year he talks up himself as a conservative, basically denouncing half of what he did in the past.
He Flip Flopped on as many issues as McCain changed his stance on going From moderate to extremist for the only purpose of trying to get GOP votes.

These guys are the epitome of hypocrisy and self serving lack of integrity.

Well Steele just said that they welcome all into their tent, just shut up and do things the way they want!! That tent is growing smaller and smaller with only 21% of the USA admitting they are GOP. I know so many who refuse to call themselves republicans and say they are independents.

Keep up all the infighting! Truly the gift that keeps on giving!!!!

I think it is time to just dissolve the whole republican party and start over. You could turn it into two parties very easily. That is what is happening whether they are trying or not. You have the ultra conservative religious right movement that is being deplored every day more and more because of their most "un-christian" stances and hatred and racism they spew as easily as opening their mouths. Then you have the more moderate republicans that are being chastised daily by the ultra conservatives, and are feeling abandoned by their party for a more radical approach to conservatism. Then you have the hillbilly, redneck faction that would follow anyone with a gun and a bible even it they can't even pronounce their name. Make that three factions.

So, in response to the song; "Where are the Clowns", we can now definitively answer: Here go the Clowns!

And the Clown Parade is led by none other than - Rush Limbaugh, Rupert Murdoch (who now has his FOX bootlickers saying that if it was OK for the Nazis to torture, that should exhonerate George Bush and Dick Cheeney), Dick Cheeney (who would Blow Rush Limbaugh over Collin Powell any day), and "more of the same" John Mccain (who truly believes everything is hunky with "Don't ask don't tell")

Welcome to the "White Trash Party" – formerly known as GOP!

Steele has a very good point. The reason that the GOP ended up with McCain as the nominee is due to the fact that Romney is Mormon. Romney in my perspective was the clear choice for the 2008 nominee. However, the conservative base was uncomfortable with his religious beliefs and thus the vote split between Huck and Romney, leaving McCain to slip through the cracks.

Let's be honest – remember McCain's self-destructive grandstanding during the bailout? Imagine the different reaction if Romney had been the nominee? Good chance he would be POTUS today.

The demise of the Republican Party is the best thing for this country....nothing else really needs to be said.

"The United States of America should have a foundation free from the influence of clergy."
-George Washington

The Constitution of the United States

Article VI, Section 3: “...no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.”

I like the "gaffe" comment. Just like Joe Biden (bless his big heart) he tends to tell the truth sometimes – let's criticize him for that.

In my opinion – I'd like to see more truth.

Obama chose Biden for all the right reasons – gaffes and all.

It's perfectly alright for individuals to have misgivings about any candidate because of his religious beliefs or practices. But labeling any long-established religion as a "cult" is just a display of the kind of intolerance for which the Republican Party has become too well known.

Sooner or later, the GOP is going to have to realize Michael Steele is hurting them on a continuing basis.

Klingons and Romulans and Borg battling it out - phasers on kill - take no prisoners. Oh, no wait, it's the Republican party's in-fighting, business as usual! Yes, more fun than the movies. I'll make popcorn. Please... continue.

I am so enjoying this party's infighting and self-distruction. After destroying the country for the past 25 years what goes around comes around.

Is Steele working for the Democrats?

I had no problem with what Micheal Steele said. I still want Mike Huckabee. I never considered Mitt Romney, I feel he can not be trusted with anything.

Romney was the most qualified out of all the Republican candidates to be president. However, he was also less experienced than most of his opponents at the federal level and it showed. The liberal media panned all the Republican candidates since, well, they're the liberal media and they have no integrity. If anyone should be blaming the liberal media for losing an election it's Hillary. Romney lost because of strategy.

Right now Romney and Palin appear to be the frontrunners for 2012 to oppose Obama (i.e. the second coming of Carter), but things change quickly in the political realm - in '06 everybody thought it was going to be Clinton and Giuliani duking it out. Plus, I'm not sure whether I'd choose Romney or Palin, and I'd prefer a mainstream libertarian candidate over both of them.

In fighting always happens in political parties and the media hypes it up.

Remember in July and August when Obama and Clinton were "destroying the Democratic Party."

This will blow over eventually. This is the nature of politics, one party gets complete control and they blow it and then the other party comes back with vengeance. The Democrats will blow it and then the Republicans will gain control because people are sick of them and then the Republicans will blow it and so on... This is why government should just keep its nose out of things.

Sorry Dems, this is the cycle of politics not the end of either party.

Republicans fighting–so what.! It appears that is all they ever do anymore. That is why I am a Democrat now.

Just search YouTube for Romney and Kennedy debates in the 1994 Senatorial election. YOu will find out just how sincere and steadfast Romney is. He will say anything to please anyone if he thinks it might get him a vote.

If the Republicans even want a chance at the White House in 2012, they will not run this buffoon.

Few people here know exactly what Mormon values are, and I would include Mormons in that group. If you do any research into it at all, you'll realize that the Church of Latter Day Saints is nothing more than a cult. A big, rich, politically powerful cult which exerts extraordinary influence over its members. Romney may appear to have some good, all-American values, but I do not want someone in the Oval Office who is taking orders from some bald-headed fat elder of the Church sitting in Provo. The Mormon Church, which for all intents and purposes runs the state of Utah, has a long history of bigotry it has managed to sweep under the rug, and the highest unwed pregnancy rate of minors in the country. Before people start praising anybody because he has so-called Mormon values, they need to do some homework on the subject.

Is it possible for an entire political party to become clinically insane? The shock of their loss to a ****gasp**** liberal BLACK guy ******gasp****** seems to have pushed the entire party over the edge. They're so used to their alternative, roll-your-own reality that when they have to face REAL reality, they just don't know how to cope with it. Rather than doing the rational thing, they're acting like kids on a playground trying to exclude all the other kids from their cliques.

Why don't they ask their almighty Republican only god which direction the party should move toward? Oh that's right, because he doesn't talk, you can't see him, he never intervenes however bad things get here on earth, but he's everywhere, all-watching and all-knowing, and he'll punish you if you don't believe in him and you'll burn in hell. Only the Republican party would create ridiculous religious wrangling within it's members, and all over an invisible Santa Claus living in the sky. The Republican party has become as outmoded as their belief in their imaginary god.

THE 4.2 million votes are all Mormon

and steele is right but oh well it is interesting to watch a political giant spin out of control and fall .never to be heard from again

It is obvious that the American people are okay with a biracial President, but they are not ready for a Mormon as President. To much confusion as to exactly what they believe and practice and how it would influence American polittics.

Romney is a flip-flopper on wedge issues and the member of a "cult." Forgot it Mr Plastic. You have no place of prominence in the party of God (Christian), guns (any gun for anyone regardless of background), and gays (convert them by forced prayer or isolate them). You may have a god business background (fiscally conservative) but your other side is of no use to those religious bigots

I think this is funny, particularly coming from Michael Steele.

If Republicans have an overall problem with Mormonism, guess what Michael? Don't you think they have an overall problem with say, African-Americans, as well as anyone else non-white, anyone else who is not an evangelical Christian, etc etc etc?

Another elitist snob throwing a hissy-fit. Had enough yet?

I find it entertaining that some fo the posters here dismiss Steele's comments and feel his comments hold no validity all because he is a Republican. Fact is he hit this right on and Mitt will have the same hurdles to overcome if he runs again. This is nothing new, if you are not a WASP then you face resistance from the establishment, be it either Rep's of Dem's. We saw it with JFK, saw it with Mitt and we'll see it again. Its not just the GOP that is tainted by the narrow viewpoint of whats an acceptable faith, all of Washington is. Both parties need to go back and read about the rights guaranteed to us to practice whatever faith we choose and the seperation of church and state. Maybe if our promised rights where once again held to be inalieable then Mitt and others like him will have a fair shot.

But in the end its easier to slap fear mongering lables on people and let non-issues determine the candidates. God forbid qualified people actually get a fair shake and get support.

you republicans just keep on bickering, it is good ffor us demoncrats

I love watching the republicans destroy themselves like they tried to destroy the democrats and this country. They failed to kill the country or the democrats, but I hope they are successful in their current conquest. They are a party of evil. They are harmful, hateful people that try to cloak themselves in religion. They are fake christians that do not do any good in the world at all. Wanda Sykes is right...they sound just like Osama bin Laden when they hope our president fails. They want to see our country fail so they can regain power. They are soulless.

The Republican Party is far from Dead. They got 46% of the vote back in November (more than Bill Clinton got in 1992). This was after 8 years of an extremely unpopular President (despite the absence of a second 9/11) and a horrible economic crisis (that wasn’t entirely the fault of the GOP….ever heard of Barney Frank?). Let the Democrats have the helm for a few years, and see how many people jump back on the Republican Bandwagon. It's already happening with these Tea Parties. But, still love seeing all these comments talking about how irrelevant the GOP is right now. It will make their comeback that much more devastating and surprising in a few years. Looking forward to the 2010 congressional elections.

Yah Yah Yah, sticks and stones. See how the republicans are descended into a juvy type of atmosphere. Knocking and panning each other. Can't the get it together. Can"t they act grown up?

But with people like rush, cheney, ,cantor boehner and the rest of the kiddies leading the parade what do you expect

has the GOP started eating its young yet? sure does look like it. personally i think obama will be re-elected whether the economy turns around or not. if romney is the GOP front runner, then they are in real trouble.

Turning on each other like starving dogs in a cage.

Love it.

oh yeah, let's get rid of Mormons... and moderates... and people who believe in global warming... and people who accept gay people getting married... and people who feel a woman should be able to choose what to do with her body... and people who feel the rich don't need any more tax breaks. In the end we'll have about 28 uneducated southern white folks voting for the GOP.

The Republican Party should have learned it's lesson, in the 8 years with George W.. Once again, they're stuck with a major mistake. Mr. Steele should either resign, or be forced to resign, before any further damage is done to the Republican image. The Party is already on the "political rope's". One more "sucker punch" such as Steele, and it's light's out.

This Republican infighting is so good, we will keep it up on the ticker for a few days, and avoid the WHOLE story of Pelosi lying, flip-flopping and or changing her stories on EITS.

WE welcome to peel the bark off this story and you will find that over the years over 60 meetings were held and over 30 Democrats (many big honcho's) who knew everything and went along with it.

Guess what, MOST OF US AGREED with them to do what they needed to do at the time and GUESS WHAT, release the documents that Darth Cheney wants, to SHOW that NY, Cally and other ATTACKS were stopped because of this.

Liberals would now sacrifice lives to play politics, how sad.

Romney is such a fake; he deserves all of this. The RNC Chairman's comment about Romney's being Morman hurting his chances with the electorate was out of line and bigoted, but Romney is the classic flip-flopper. After being a very liberal governor, all of a sudden he becomes an arch-conservative because he thinks this will help him secure the Republican nomination. He was rightly rejected by the voters.

Romney was a terrible governor here in MA, but it has nothing to do with his faith.

The Boston Globe had an excellent piece yesterday on why the GOP has lost it's hold in New England, having only 2 Senators in the entire six states, and zero representatives. While we are wicked religious here in the Northeast, we recognize the separation of church and state, and how one's faith is private and not relevant for public discussion. Who cares that Romney is Mormon? I will judge him by his viewpoints and policies, which as a progressive I tend to disagree with overall.

What the GOP needs to do is stop this infighting and learn that it needs to update it's ideas without compromising it's ideals. For example, limited government is not necessarily relevant in all areas (Healthcare, for example, since we need a universal single-payer system), but effective & efficient government will resonate.

Romney is the best chance they have.

Therefore I hope Palin runs...easy win.

Though no great fan of Steele's, people SHOULD take a deep and critical look at Mormonism - especially in the realm of their founder's (and subsequent leaders') views on "why blacks are black," polygamy in the celestial kingdom among other troubling beliefs.

the truth IS out there . . .

After blowing $50 million on his failed attempt to get people to believe he had anything at all to offer America, Mitt simply cut and ran. Now he's back, trying desperately to re-introduce himself, hoping that some how, some way, the electorate will change their negative opinions of him. Not likely, but Season 2 of the Mitt Show should be fun to watch, if nothing else.

I think we need to look at the full context of what Steele was talking about when referring to Romney and to Mormonism. I do not believe he was being disbaraging towards Mitt Romney but talking freely about what people truly do not understand about the Mormon religion and whether or not Romney would stand by a tried and true Republican stand against abortion.

The fighting right now in the Republican party is why the Republican party is doing poorly. I believe the media is taking part in making it larger but the public back and forth amongst the leaders of the republican party do not help.

I am a democrat to the core but I also do not want to see my party the only party with power. Good government comes from conflict, discussion and dealing. Not from towing the line or riding the coat tails of others. Straighten up, Republicans, and get back to work. And don't worry, we Democrats will shoot ourselves in the proverbial foot soon!

The Republican Party is so fouled up it does not know if it’s coming, going, or if they have even been there. They are the party of the past and have lost all credibility with the American public. Until they get rid of their radical views and those that espouse them they will remain irrelevant.

A 'gaffe' occurs when a politician accidentally tells the truth. (Not my words).

Perhaps the American people can now see the folly of their tunnel vision. Mitt would have been a much better candidate than John McCain, and would be much better at handling our current economic crisis than either McCain or Obama. But all some people could see was his religion and his changing his mind on some stuff. We'd all be better off if we could have seen past those things. Bigots and zealots won the day and we all suffer because of it.

I wish the GOP would just give up on "the base." The so-called base of the Republican Party is nothing more than a very vocal yet very small minority of America. They are easily riled up and easily led and the GOP has made a job of playing to this fringe element for so long that they actually think that they are a majority. They need to drop the far-far-right and try to appeal to a more moderate demographic if they want to have any kind of future.

Not that I truly hope that they ever do this and I actually think it's not going to happen any time soon, which is fine by me. I am a dyed-in-the wool, Northeastern Democrat. The longer they continue this foolishness the better for me and my party. My only complaint is that the Democrats in order to counter this idiocy have moved too far to the center and we have sacrificed too much of our liberal agenda.

Steele should know better. We can't have freedom of thought and speech running amuck in the Republican party! What would dear old Uncle Cheney say? Naughty naughty Mr. Steele.

I think Michael Steele was correct in what he said. These were all the issues that were brought up in the primaries. The religious right did take issue with Romney's flipflopping on abortion. The religious right took issue with Romney's Mormonism. This is nothing new. The Romney campaign is well aware of these issues. They just don't want the Voice of the Republican party pointing these out to the electorate.

Mitt has no interesting or reasonable ideas. It's difficult to understand his position, seemingly based only on an excessive need for interminable talk.

Note to Mr. Steele – voters couldn't care less what religion Mitt Romney is. They care that he is a flip-flopper!

Republicans will do whatever it takes to destroy Steele – they don't want a black men leading their party, plain and simple.

Steele has been a Republican long enough to know members do not go outside the party line. He should check with Limbaugh and Cheney to make sure they are ok with his comments.

You know even an idiot speaks the truth from time to time. Mitt may not like Steele putting everything out there, but Steele is telling the truth. Winning the straw polls has not won Mitt the spot of GOP presidential candidate. He slo need to work on his smile. It's so sleezy looking, and it never looks genuine. Looks like he's always acting, trying to figure out what he can tell you today that he'll back track off of tomorrow. The guy gives me the creeps!

With all due respect running a major political party and running a talk-show are two different jobs and despite Limbaugh's best efforts they are separate for good reason. Ratings and votes are gathered by different methods and combining the two is bad for politics and talk–shows

I am a committed Dem, but it seems that Steele is not helping his team very well.

Smokescreen... I do not care about these smoke and mirrors the talking heads are trying to put. All I care about is are the people we elected to "represent us" doing their jobs or are they padding their pockets and war chests for future office bids? There are TOO many career politicians and machines. We need representatives that will do their jobs, do them right and then return to private life.

The level of intolerance, hate, and prejudice in the GOP is breath taking. The quest for political purity by the extreme conservative wing of the party will ensure a further weakening of the Republican brand.

Steele may be in hot water for saying it, but he's being honest and he's on the mark.

I'm a Democrat, so I don't have a horse in this race.....however...

I beleive that the Romney team is over-reacting. It was well-known throughout the primary process in 2008 that Romney lacked support from evangelical Christians who make up much of the base of the Republican Party – particularly in the South. There issues? 1) Evangelical Christians simply are not willing to accept Mormanism as part of the ecumenical community of Chritian denominations...period...and 2) Romney was pro-choice on abortion as recently as the mid-90's when he ran for governor of Mass...and he was perceived as a flip flopper on the issue.

Bottom line....you can't win the republican nomination without the South...and Romney didn't win a single primary in Dixie in 2008. Further, if Huckabee and/or Jindal decide to run....Romney doesn't stand much of a chance in the South in 2012 either.

So bascially Romney's aide could not refute the basic premise of what Steele said. So what he won a straw poll among other republicans, if only Republicans voted for President he would be set. Meanwhile back in the real world I personally don't want a big love religion President who refuses to speak out on an offshoot of his religion which permits grown men to marry children. Nor do I respect a religion which exclude people because of color.

Oh steele..You keep handing us Democrats one treat after another.

As a life long Democrat (though I don't really care about political parties), and a resident of Maryland, I would like to see Michael Steele become the lifetime head of the RNC. It that were to happen the Democrats would not have to raise a dime for campaigning. Mr Steele and company are the greatest reasons to never vote Republican.

And this is the party that thinks it should lead the country?

C'mon GOPs! You can do better than indulgin' in infightin'. Put the country first before your megalomaniacal and manipulatively egocentric oddities. It's hard though to do it.

This comment is aimed at both political parties. I don't understand why the two parties aim their policies towards the extremes of their parties. Why is it so wrong to have moderate leanings and try to work together? I think the Republicans are shooting themselves in the foot by pandering to the religious right, and the Democrats aren't doing much better leaning so far left. I am generally liberal in my views, but I also know that there is room for all beliefs. I know Romney was not a particularly conservative governor of Massachusetts, and I don't see why he has to change now. Also anyone's religious views or lack of religious views is his own business.

As an independent, I would not in ANY way vote for Romney. He was
shot down once and should give it up.

Oh poor little Mitt Romney, Can't take any criticism. Give me a break. Romney is a GROWN ass man. What Steele said is nothing NEW, and many have thought and said the very same thing. SO WHAT? WHO CARE? Mitt Romney is a COWARD.

If you can't take the heat, get the hell out of the kitchen!!! Mitt needs stop acting like some toddler throwing a tantrum.

This is WHY NO ONE takes Mitty seriously. They guy is nothing but a BIG CRY BABY.

I think Steele shoots from the hip too much and that is bad politics. Though in his defence it is his honest thoughts. Often he will put his foot in his mouth, but with the same speed he will retrieve it. Here is the deal though, he is right on this one. Republicans rejected Romney to their detriment because of his relegion and his "lack of Conviction". Romney deserves the rejection because he perpectuates the intolerance that rejected him. Here is is again doing it. Romney is really a moderate pretending to be untra concervative to win the GOP nomination. The sooner he stop treating GOP voters with phony outrage, phony "right wing" cridentials, the sooner he will rise as the star he is. The GOP needs to get this, politics is won in the middle. The real Romney is the GOP's best shot at the middle. Take it or lose again...

It still strikes me as ridiculous that Mormonism is cited as some sort of major reason why Mitt Romney could not be a viable candidate for President. The people of Massachusetts found him qualified to be governor and every interview I've heard him give showed him, in my opinion, to be someone who actually cared about different opinions. This sniping is the sort of thing that serves no useful purpose and I hope that someday it will be seen for the destructive thing it is.

Gotta agree with Steele, the "liberal media" should have no play on republican voters in their own primariers. Republican voters should have been reviewing the candidates themselves and deciding for themselves, espcially since "republican voters" are already weary of the "liberal media".

It literally makes no sense to blame the liberal media for McCain beating Romney in the primaries.

I think what you had was a split in ideologies. The fiscal conservatives loved Romney. The Moderates loved McCain, and the social conservatives loved Huckabee.

Where as democrats had a choice between Hillary and Barack, nearly identical platforms – the only difference was their style and approach, and to me most importantly their outlook on how to get things done.

That's not really hitting back, I'd say it's more along the lines of downplaying the comment. Romney is too smart to start a fight with the chairman of his own party. I really think this is an exercise to desensitize the nation to Romney's faith so he can win the White House in 2012 and undo the socialist policies Obama is forcing on us.

This is one of those situations where the truth is a problem. Steele is right about all this, the problem is he is the chairman of the party and just gave the Democrats (or even a primary opponent of Romney) a huge weapon.

It also points up another simple fact, the GOP can't even govern itself. It is any wonder they completely screwed up the country.

Even the caller who started this entire thing has that Republican "liberal media conspracy" thing going. There was an open conspiracy in the election, but it was the other way around when Rush Limbaugh tried to affect the outcome of the Democratic primary with his "Operation Chaos" or whatever he called it.

On the Republican side there was also a media conspiracy, but it was not to get Romney the nomination, it was run by Fox News on behalf of Guiliani (remember him?). Other GOP candidates complained about Fox's biased coverage, including Romney if memory serves.

So, we have a conservative caller calling into a conservative talk show with a wacky theory, and they the conservative host answers with the truth and the conservatives are up in arms.

Yup, these guys are doing a great job.

Romney's got my vote. I'm already sick of the lack of values and morals this President has. The partial birth abortion he believes in is disqusting and plain murder. Bring Romney on, he has experience with the economy, another subject Obama is lacking in.

Obama's a funny guy, but bring me somebody that can do the job.

These guys are really turning on each other aren't they.
I liked Mitt. He's a good man and the Mormon people and their values are just what this country needs in a leader. If people would actually take the time to know Mormons, they would find the happiest, most caring and loving people on the planet.With that in mind, I'll never figure out why Mitt is a republican. Seems almost contradictory to his way of life.

Steele's analysis was about right. The thing I still don't understand is why Romneyed didn't just flip-flop on Mormonism like he did on everything else. He could've converted to a Southern Baptist to placate the "base." I absolutely relished the irony of Romney trying to appeal to southern Republican bigots by bashing gay people while losing the nomination because of those same bigots' opposition to Mormons. Deliciously just!

Several thousand years ago there was an incident that was the genesis for a phrase that best applies to our current situation.

The current situation is the fact that both the Democratic and Republican parties in this country have been more concerned with their own self interests that they have completely ignored the best interests of this Nation as a whole. We are rapidly becoming a third-world country as evidenced by the size of our deficits over the past 8 years.

As long as this country allows the most conservative and most liberal people to run our affairs instead of “TORCHING” them both and replacing them with moderates we will continue down the road where what was said a couple millennia ago about another great power will be applicable to us.

“Nero fiddled while Rome Burned!!!!”

Good stell keep up the good work!

Wow, Steele, Cheney, Limbaugh, Gingrich seem to be the spokespeople for the GOP. Democrats will be winning for YEARS to come. Keep it coming GOP.

There will be a new party by by 2010 in place which will start sweeping the country in 2010 and win the country in 2012 which will be more like the conservative parties of the Euopean countries and Canada.

They are eating their young. I am loving this.

McCain won because Republicans followed Limbaugh's order ("Operation Chaos") to vote in the Democratic primarites to manipulate the outcome. Remember all those Republcans who switched parties? Republicans didn't mind their own primary, making it possible for McCain to slip in there. See what dirty politics will get you?

Mormons have a base of around 2 million, traditional christians see them as fringe cult, and their history of believing blacks had mark of cain on them as reason they were banned from Mormon churches until 1978 civil case forced them to allow them haunts them as a church with racism, anyone whom knows the klu klux klan doctrine knows they to believe the black has mark of caine on them and these two groups having similiar belief on blacks is death knell to any Mormon ever winning a national office! Just will not sell to traditional christians let alone people of color!

It appears Republicans are missing a lot of targets recently...instead of making any positive changes, they continue to bash each other and every move Democrats make. I don't see how any of this will win over folks to their party for the mid-terms or beyond.

I am a Mormon and a moderate Republican, and I see nothing wrong with Michael Steele's comment. He is right! Mainstream Republicans DO have a problem with Mormonism, but the best way for Mitt to handle it is to not get so upset, but rather to show himself to be the better man. He can be a positive example, rise above the negative comments and show that he's an ordinary person, like the rest of us. This is a good teaching moment, not one in which to cast stones.

No surprise here. The GOP canabilizing itself.

Don't they think they have done enough damage to their party over the past 8 years......now they are undercutting and back stabbing their own leaders.

Completely Clueless - Without Hope

This is just sad. It used to be funny, but not anymore.

Michael Steele can't win for losing. He finally makes an astute statement and he gets nailed for it. Romney took positions during his '94 senate run and '02 governor run in Massachussets that should make conservatives question his commitment to conservative values. And, the religious base of the GOP is apprehensive about the values of the LDS faith.

You do realize this is specifically designed to keep Romney in the spotlight and perseverate discussion of his alleged viability as a candidate for POTUS, right? It's a political charade. YAWN.

While we have always suspected that the GOP is not inclusive of all Americans. It now appears that many GOP elite are mere tokens be they from a different ethnic heritage or religion. Witness token Steele and token Romney.

Rush must be laughing his head off that these two "minorities" are fighting between themselves. Little does Rush know that he is the new "minority" of fat, balding, middle-aged white men.

Oh boy! I love this in-fighting between the repugs....They are only that much closer to destroying the party forever. Let's sit back with the popcorn and watch in amuzement and excitement that these religious lunatics will be gone forever.

I love it!! keep it going with all this Republican in-fighting! Makes you guys shine as the clear choice!

I disagree with Steele on a whole lot of issues, but he's got this one correct. Romney is not one who can unite, because mormons aren't inclusive people, or an inclusive religion, or especially an inclusive life style. They'd be better suited in their own little country like Israel.

The choice of Michael Steele as RNC chairman defies logic. I have no idea who these powers are that control the GOP but it certainly isn't the voting "base" of the Republican Party.
-Our nominee last year was John McCain – a man a significant portion of the party has literally despised for years.
-Steele keeps getting in urinating matches with "real Republicans" most popular figures (Limbaugh, Romney, etc). And Why? who knows, it boggles the mind.
-Steele needs to go because he is unbelievably incompetant.

Keep going, conservatives. Keep eating your own. Keep using abortion as a wedge to divide the United States. You had 6 years. 6 YEARS with a republican congress, WH and Supreme Court. Surely, if your elected officials wanted to truly do something about abortion, they would have already.
So, bravo, conservatives! Way to not see how the GOP is using you. Remember, the reason you lost in '08 is because you weren't conservative enough!

the RNC and or the GOP are in the wilderness

Is this a case of religious prejudice skewing his opinion? Mitt Romney is exactly the kind of business savvy leader we need. He has passed a comprehensive health care plan for the people of Mass. Name me another politician who's done that. He's invested in ways that have created thousands of good jobs for people in the private sector. That's a trick the democrats have yet to learn how to do. People need to take religion off the table when it comes to our political leaders. Isn't that right Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Nixon, Mr. Obama?

Why all the fuss? It's true, after all.

Romney wasn't conservative enough, just as the senators from the region he's governed are are too centrist for this party. He's also too smart, which has also proven to be a political liability on the right.

I'm no fan of Romney, but he's a bit more reasonable than the average Republican these days, and they don't do reasonable.

Michael Steele is ABSOLUTELY 100% CORRECT. The South gave their votes to Huckabee over Romney. Mormonism was a huge issue and John McCain's mother said as much. Mitt need not think that Americans memories are as short as he suggests. If he runs again, the same thing will happen only worse. NO Republican can win without the ENTIRE SOUTH. Romney did not and will not ever get that vote!!!

It was just a straw vote...Big Whoop, mean while out in the real America.........the GOP should be helping the everyday taxpayer and poor of this country instead they are picking each other off, says alot about their "new image" for themselfs.

Steele is worthless.
I am sure he's a nice person, but he's really not good at his job.

"Sometimes when you shoot from the hip, you miss the target," said Romney

Translation:

"Sometimes, we accidentally say what we really feel, and we regret it when it hurts our career"

Interesting to watch the GOP in the throes of death. Now, they are eating each other, led by their "appointed" leaders. Amazing...

This Steele guy doesn't know enough to keep his stupid mouth shut... Why don't they get rid of him?

It really is like watching them (the GOP) eat their young, or imploding.
Who's going to be left? Their members are either being ousted, alienated, jumping ship, or too embarrassed by their "leadership" to admit who they're with. This "joke" is quickly losing it's humor factor.

Oh my, oh my, Mitt's ego took a hit.....

Bless his heart.......He's up in the (Republican) 'Heezy' stroking the ambers again.....Keep on giving Steele.......You tha man baby......

"Stainless" Steele better watch out! Is his hate speech too far right, or will Rush approve it? Steele may wake up to find out that, like Colin Powell or Arlen Specter, he never was a Republican at all. Did you know that "The Base" translated into Arabic means al-Qaeda?

It's so much fun to watch the once-great Republican Party dissolve into a finger-pointing circular firing squad. They could not be any less relevant to today's problems. It's time for the GOP to go the way of the Whig Party from which it evolved.

And they say Biden is a gaffe machine.

Is it possible to get an adult to take over as the chair of the RNC?

We can ,and will do better--soon.

Steele..........has less than a year left as the GOP head....I think the man is trying kill his own party.....and he is succeeding.

Steele needs to continue to ask for guidance from Rush.

The Democrats have no better tools at work than Steele and Limebaugh.....let them talk all they want

Michael Steele is causing a GOP implosion. I wonder how long he is going to stay in charge of the party. However there must be some truth to half of what he is saying. If Mitt would have won the primary, he probably could have beaten Obama in the general election. But since there was this wierd coup d' tat that made McCain the GOP candidate, the GOP was sunk. How is it that he consistantly wins the straw polls yet can't get the nod from the party for the nomination? Looks like there are going to be a lot more "independant" voters after the next election cycle.

Michael Steele didn't miss with his comment...............that is exactly why a large number of Christian conservatives rejected Romney. They were not convinced he was a true conservative, and were concerned about his faith.

Yeah, Romney's camp hit back really hard, by completely ignoring the specifics that Steele cited. Did they choose to use a canned response of Romney's achievements in last year's primary because Steele's comments were right on the money??? If Steele did in fact "shoot from the hip and miss," why not refute his comments directly and specifically? I agree that many conservatives did not vote for Mitt because they do not understand Mormonism and had issues with his change on abortion rights.

What is wrong with Steele? By saying because "it had issues with Mormonism" he is suggesting that the GOP has too small a tent for Mormons to fit in. He should remember that he is black and the tent is not that big for him either. If the GOP can over look his blackness they can sure deal with a rich, capitalistic, Mormon. And why is the GOP in fighting so much? Powell vs Cheney, Powell vs Rush, Steele vs Romney, is this how to get the party back on its feet? This is rediculous.

This has got to stop.
The pandering to the evangelical religious right I mean.
True and solid conservatism is not secular, nor is it republican.
Individual constitutional liberty is not preserved when your party is tied down by a narrow minded, intolerant group.
I am a faithful, and devout christian (not evangelical) and do not think that God, who is almighty, needs any politician representing him.
He is mighty to save, and has representatives of his own, in the church. Millions of good christians that come from all walks of life, regions, and cultures.
The G.O.P needs to drop the intolerant hard nosed fundamentalist christians like a bad habit.
They are dragging the G.O.P. down with it. And keeping it from being an important influence in american politics.
The G.O.P. needs to grow some cohones and take the risk of including more faiths and cultures in thier party, or we may see unrestricted government expansion over the next 20 years.
I am a liberal moderate, but I understand the importance of opposing viewpoints in politics. We need both sides engaged in debate, and discussion to keep things in check.

Sadly, Steele's comments are somewhat accurate. Many members of the religious right who are very conservative Christians do have an issue with 3omney's religion. This is a prime example of what happens in a party that refuses to be in any way open and inclusive of those with differing views.

This type of bickering within the GOP is like treating dysentery with laxatives. Have at it boys!