WASHINGTON (CNN) – Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele defended the GOP's decision to automatically re-direct angry liberal callers to the Democratic National Committee Wednesday, telling reporters he "thought it was a good idea."
"Don't think you're going to direct a bunch of angry liberals to call the RNC when I know full well what that's all about," Steele said during an RNC conference call. "I get....the joke." He said he thought those critics should talk to their own party, who held responsible for "ginning this up."
Earlier in the day, a new DNC Web ad accused the Republican Party of "inciting mobs" to deliberately disrupt congressional town hall meetings where the Obama health care plan was being discussed, and asked viewers to call the RNC to register their disapproval. The RNC changed their phone menu so that those callers were directed to press a button that automatically transferred their call to the DNC.
Steele dismissed questions over whether the GOP move to deflect critical calls was hypocritical in light of recent criticism of Democrats for "demonizing" the town hall protestors, and denied the Republican Party had any role in organizing the confrontations.
"We're not inciting anyone to go out and disrupt anything," said Steele. "We're not organizing the town halls," only encouraging individuals to visit their congressman or senator to "express their point of view."
"There's no upside for the Republican Party [in the protests]," he said later in the call. "That's not something that's coordinated or deliberately set in motion by me or anyone in the state party.
"...To sit back and say this is a Republican cabal is a bunch of baloney. And you can substitute that 'b' for something else if you want."
Later, a frustrated Steele shot down another question about the GOP's view of the recent chaos at congressional town halls. "I'll speak slowly. There's legitimacy to the protest. But how people protest…. I have no control over."
He added that there was nothing unusual about the development, and that he did not understand why the face-offs were drawing media attention. "Why is it so out of the ordinary that the American people should stand up and say, 'I have a concern about something the government is going to do?'
"… I'm not telling people to go out and be disruptive, because there's no upside to doing that. We want to have a legitimate debate…there's no upside for us in starting a fight with the Democratic Party, or with elected officials that we disagree with."
From CNN Politics
© 2011 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Contact us | Work for us | Help
Steele = just more LIES from the GOP, RNC and of course the leader of the republican group, Rush.
the gop is dead thanks to bush/heney ,palin, GO DEMS
Hello Michael Steele.............You are just a tool being used by the GOP. Wake up and smell the coffee. You have no power.
Michael Steele is a puppet. I'm sure his constituency in Maryland want and definitely need healthcare reform.
I respect everyone's opinion and their right to voice their concerns, BUT, I really am angry with these "protesters" who are disrupting these town halls. If they wish to express themselves or their opinion in a civilized manner–go for it. But for those of us who attend a town hall meeting to either ask questions or get information–these people who state that they are so concerned about the wellbeing of others–well, you are taking away my right to listen.
Dimwitted Dems are running scared – why else these beyond stupid acusations! I've never heard of such bull crap in my life. I live in a humongous city and have NEVER heard anyone tell me or other people within my hearing range, to go protest Obamacare. I am protesting it solely on my own but I'm not doing anything but stewing about it. I'm not joining a tea party to do so. BUT, if I wanted to, the RNC certainly didn't have to tell me to. The DNC must think its party members are terribly stupid if they believe this.
Isn't Steele's and the RNC "Pinnochio? LOL. Enough said.
Both the RNC and the GOP is playing with FIRE. Republicans are going to rue the day they incited these mob protests when someone gets OUT OF CONTROL and SERIOUSLY HURTS an innocent person.
GOD doesn't like ugly and the RNC knows they are doing the "Devil's work" and they WILL reap EVERYTHING they sow. Everything that goes around is going to COME AROUND. Just wait and see.
If the DNC wants to blame the GOP for people being upset over putting the entire nation on a stripped down Medicaid plan then the DNC needs to own up to the crimes of ACORN, the New Black Panthers, Code Pink, the environmental extremists, radical anarchists and the other groups they use as shock troopers. It's not so fun when people are shouting you down instead or participating in a discussion is it Democrats? Try blaming public outcry over bad legislation on Bush.
Of course he is ! The "ordinary Americans" are composed of ignorant robots who don't even understand their own health care system and follow blindly a script which tells them to support and enrich the profit-driven insurance companies.
Public option IS the answer.
One part is true, between the GOP and RNC, they do nothing to better help the cause for this country.
Ahhhh, Mr Steele....what a tangled web we weave. The real loser in all this GOP crap is the voter/tax payer. The Repubs are further polarizing the nation by disseminating so MISINFORMATION. The taxpayers can't see the truth through all this crap. I'm done with both parties and their childishness.
The Dem Congress and Dem administration are getting seriously out of touch with America if they think that a lot of people are not really getting very upset about this healthcare debacle. This denial and making up fantastic excuses for what they're seeing in town halls is not going to serve them well in the end. Denial never works as a strategy for dealing with a problem. There will be a bloodbath in the midterm elections if they continue to dismiss American's concerns over this hugely expensive proposal that's getting literally rammed down our throats. And you can believe in that change!
Children – both parties leadership need to grow up. I hope Americans continue to pay attention to both sides of the aisle. Further cleaning is still needed.
Townhall protest is not organize by the GOP, these are real Americans regardless of political affiliation protesting out of control spending of Obambi, socialistic programs that goes against the fiber of our constitution.
Steele, i figured out a way to know when you're lying.....your lips move.
We are going out and shouting because WE DON'T WANT OBAMACARE! Nobody "organized" us or "incited us to become an angry mob". We are quite an angry mob on our own! We, the people, are fed up with having socialistic programs rammed down our throats and we want the Democrats to know it!
The RNC is bringing in mobs to townhall meetings. The Democrats need to cancel all town hall meetings and hold phone conference meetings by invitation only. They need to do mailings to alert their constituents about the RNC dirty tricks.
yeah right!
Outsmarted the dimwit Democrats; wow, what a feat that must be. Hey, let's go steal the handicapped kid's glasses! We'll have a new kind of fun every single day! Look out, grandma's!!!
Steele lies just like the rest of the GOP. No decency left in the GOP.
If there is they are too wimpy to speak out. They let the idiots like Steele speak for them. The GOP needs healthcare!!!
Liar, Liar, pants on fire. I know [R]s who tell me it IS true....they have been recruited. It doesn't get any more TWO-FACED than that!
Rather than bickering and complaining,do something positive. This is the same person (Steele) that said "want is in the past stays in the past, let's move forward". Well, when are you going to move and do it in a positive way that helps this country? Rather than tearing down everything offered by democrats, Because no party or person is perfect, offer something better. Otherwise, shut-up.
my god! this is amazing. radio hosts and the glenn becks telling people to protest these town hall meetings have NOTHING to do with the RNC right?? no of course not....2 + 2 = 6 in republicanville.
"Don't think you're going to direct a bunch of angry liberals to call the RNC," Steele said during an RNC conference call. "I get it. I'm [in] on the joke."
I don't think they were joking!!
I love the use of the word 'denial' in this headline. As if he's not admitting he did something that we all know happened.
Look – reality folks. Nothing is going on but honest opposition. When people oppose something in numbers, does that automatically disount their point. They have the right to scream in the face of ellected officials much louder, and much more distractingly, and perhaps they should as THEY are footing the bill for these programs.
Anyone who would go along with this without getting some very specific questions answered and trust blindly is a fool. Right now people are not getting answers, and they have the right to be incensed with anger. There is nothing contrived about that.
When it comes to tea party supporters they're all from different walks of life and political affiliation, I've attended to few of them thru invitation by my buddies who used to support Obambi and registered democraps. If democraps are angry with their own party, independents and republicans are angriers especially those who voted for him last year.
This sad Gop is so childish and MAD because Obama is the president....We the American people will vote REPUBLICANS out the office 2012
So I guess it's true: no one tells Michael Steele anything.
My friend from Green Bay confirms that the troublemakers there were all (or mostly?) from out of state. I'm sure she'd be happy to let Michael Steele know that, but instead it looks like she'll be one more angry liberal for the DNC to add to their list. Great move, RNC!
How was Steele dressed when he said this.
For that matter, how were the DNC people dressed when they decided to tell their Astroturfers to call the GOP?
According to Sen. Boxer, that is the primary way to tell if someone is sincere... if they are dressed well, you know they're liars.
Obummer and the DUMocrats are so fool of it.
OBAMA trying to deflect the real opinions.
Look at all the POLL NUMBERS.....
Funny, NBC, Washington Post, Gallup, etc. polls all seem to match the mood of these meetings.
Obama and theDEMOCRATS proven to LIE again.
I know if I went to one of these meetings to get more info from my congressman and the meeting was disrupted I'd me pretty miffed about it.. The right to protest has limits..What about the rights of the other people attending the meeting? Your rights do not supercede mine.. Anyone heard of disorderly conduct.. Arrest them.
Steve-Michigan
The democrats have the white house and a filibuster proof majority in congress, and they are STILL blaming the GOP and hiding from their own failures.
Do they think we're that stupid?
how about the dems quit whining and playing the blame game and start getting things accomplished!
Steele wouldn't have had the gray matter for this sort of thing; this has Karl Rove's name all over it. Rove may be in another position altogether, but make no mistakes - he's still calling the shots.
If Democrats want to hold civil town hall mtgs...
...with NO interference from lynch mob conservative traitors...
...all they have to do is hold them in large inner-city venues...
...where large minority populations live...
...ever notice the dearth of minorities in these town hall mtgs where the Obama-hating traitors act up?
...Hold these mtgs in Detroit, Chicago, Brooklyn, or L.A....
...I guarantee there won't be these disruptions, and if there are they'll be quelled in a nano-second...
...but the wingers won't go near the inner cities...
Didn't expect you to have balls and admit. After all, gop cannot admit where they went wrong over the past decades.
It is obvious that the Republicans could have done something about health care under the bush years but were too involved with the providers as their friends. Now they want to keep the status quo which means favoring the health care industry that is ripping off Americans –compare health care here with health care in Germany–Under the guise of free enterprise, the Republicans have always favored business...thus we have the crash of Wall street, the mortgage debacle and the rest is hsiotory and busness as usual.
Steele doesnt know what the gop is doing he's not in the loop. they dont tell him anything. Steele is a figure head.
YES U ARE!!! Stop Lying!!! It hurts me to see that the Republicans put an African American on the 'front line' so when things go wrong, he can be blamed.... Come on NOW! A black African-American heading the RNC?????
I betcha by golly they "gringe" in the background because STEELE is on the frontline – but the REPUBS "grin and bear it"... LOL
Jeez man – come to the DNC side and REALLY be worth something !!!
the funniest part about these fools is they were NOT protesting the war at all EVEN though it was a complete FAILURE. where was their patriotism then? where was the accountability? these people pretend they are americans, but they arent. they pretend to protest but they dont! they are angry about FIXING our BROKEN health care system!!! but not about a war that we went in for WMDs when there wasnt! why werent they demanding impeachment?! why werent they worried about the billions of dollars lost back then? why did they not care about the WAISTED money taxpayers spent on NO-BID CONTRACTS to contractors?!?!?! but health care is just crossing the line!! stupidity is too good of a label for these people!!!
I'm tired of this blame game! The DNC and Presidential staff/Ofc are really disregarding the REAL CONCERNS it's citizens have about the type of Healthcare Reform they want to bring about. The bickering needs to stop, and real debate needs to ensue about costs/regulation/coverage/premiums/copays/conditions/exclusionstortreform of what a Single Payer Government Run Healthcare will look like. I'm not holding my breath or keeping my hopes up on REAL healthcare reform.
I think that the GOP is a mob, always has been a mob. They are like the SS in WWT, a bunch of bullies, I wish they could change their ways, and be nice, but I don't think that is going to happen, after all you have people like Rush and Dick Cheney running things over at the GOP. That if what i call a mob. Thank you.
The debt keeps mounting, the results keep failing to meet the stated objectives, the goal posts keep getting moved and the Dems can't believe that real live Americans are losing faith in what they're doing (which is coming at an enormous expense!). This is not the change that was advertised and not one I can believe in. No I can't!
This healthcare plan is a failure. It may be passed in Congress and signed into legislation but the whole thing is doomed for reasons that are now becoming clear to millions of us. And we'll be saddled with a huge debt... and denied healthcare when we're too sick. We won't even get proper testing eventually. This will be a lasting Democratic legacy after it passes and not a good one. And it will all be George Bush's fault. Sad!
Steele may not have any direct role or knowledge about this, but it is more likely that the conservatives that rule the RNC had knowledge about this. I would like Steele to at least tell these people to behave in a civil fashion. If they disagree, then voice it properly. There is no need to act like barbarians and thugs.
Mr. Steele, more than most, should be concerned about the growing mob action his party is (at least) inspiring. Less than 50 years ago, similar mobs would have lynched someone like him...
Redirecting angry callers is just another demonstration of the cowardice we're all used to from the Republican party – hawks who evade military service, womanizers who proclaim "family values", and toe-tappers who condemn gay marriage.
Whether the GOP is directly involved or not, they are once again using their hate- and fear-mongering surrogates to do the dirty work so that Steele and his cronies can claim they had no visibility to the mobsters.
Republicans are losing their traction so, they will try anything to try and gain it back. Keep doing what you are doing because it will guarantee 8 more years of Obama. When they tripped with Sotomayor, that just handed Obama, Hispanic votes. When Lou Dobbed questioned Obama citizenship, along with conservatives, they infuriated people. Now they are trying to stop the Healthcare with all costs and people are suffering and need care!! Conservatives can forget about 2010 and 2012!! Conservatives only rally their own base. You need more ethnics groups to win. And by 2020, the minority will be the majority and the Conservatives will have big problems. Conservatives need to get rid of that hate, divide and racism attitude towards other ethnic groups or they will be out of office for a long, long, long time!!
I don't believe a word Steele says.......Those meetings have the DNA of a gansta thug-lican....The only thing these mobsters don't have (yet) are burning torches.....By next week they'll be running through towns with torches).....Oh me, oh my, me thinks they are protesting way too much....Makes me certain that change is on the way....The 'Obama Man' is really on to something....
So he's well aware that they scare tactics and Faux army are bad publicity once again... Too bad they can't wash the stink away that easy
Mr Steele can deny all he wants – this SMACKS of GOP antics. Instead of a healthy debate on the merits of health care reform, the GOP has shipped in people who are not from those districts to disrupt the process. I am not in support of all the reform measures but it would be nice to be able to carry on a civil debate. These disruptions are similar to what occured in Florida following the Gore-Bush election, similar to the hate retorhic displayed during the McCain-Palin campagin – has Karl Rove written all over it. AND with the RNC forwarding the angry calls coming into their headquarters to the DNC why would we not believe this behavior. Grow up GOP children, this is why you lost!
Both Steele and the RNC are jokes. They can't even take responsibility for their own hatred and the results from it.
Wake up, America!! Do you really want to vote Republican this fall?
Someone please tell me the republican's health care reform plan..........................................I'm waiting......................................
Frustrated, Really????? Good for you since your party (or their favorite lobbyists) started this ridiculous behavior. What a bunch of children!!!
Republicans are cowards.
Okay – so what makes you THINK they disrupters at the DNC Town Hall meetings ARE NOT Republicans?????
When Hillary said it was the duty of Americans to question the government, libs praised her.
Now, questioning the Obama policies is being compared to treason. So, now that the Dems are in control, I guess we can no longer question? THat is a very George W. Bush stance coming from the left.
I have not attended any town hall meetings but when I do I will scream and yell. I have e-mailed both my Senators in NJ and asked them a simple question. Have they or do they intend on reading the Health Care Reform bill (or for that matter other bills) that may come up. What I got back from the junior Senetor (Menendez) was a lenghty position paper on health care. The senior Senetor did not even bother. Why I'm going to scream and yell is because they don't answer questions that are asked of them but answer what ever they want.
This is exactly what is wrong with the dnc and this administration. They seem to think that the mainstream REAL AMERICAN CITIZEN cannot think for themselves. Well, they are so wrong! We not only think for ourselves but a whole lot of us have read at least in portion HR3200and that is a whole lot more than the people who are suppose to be representing us have done! There is nothing unusual about REAL AMERICAN CITIZENS standing up and voicing their opinions – what is unusual is the current administration, the dnc and the biased news media that is managed and operated by the current administration trying to prevent REAL AMERICAN CITIZENS from exercising their constitutional rights!
Cool move on the RNC's part. What do Obama and the Democrats not understand. People are outraged over this so called Health Care reform. When they all get voted out of office maybe they will realize the anger that is out there.
This really shows what America Haters the GOP have become. They only want to bring down the Country. I really wish all of them who said they would leave if Obama were elected would leave already! Time to vote out every republican in the Nation in 2010! They can take their "C Street" with them to North Korea!
Steele >> teabaggers >> Freedom Works >> townhall fringe
Oh sure, Steele knew nothing at all about the lobbyist ploy. Nothing. He is totally innocent..
What a joke! And dare I say..denial, if Steele thinks Americans are that naive to believe his nonsense.
I guess he really couldn't admit it could he. LOL
It's true everything Michael Steele is saying. I've been to several town halls and tea parties and there is nothing "manufactured" by the GOP going on. People are extremely frustrated at whats going on in this country and feel helpless....helpless because OUR elected officials will not listen to us. Majority of the United States is against this health care plan and we just want our voices heard and not given the "run around". And, for our own government to call us angry mobs is reprehensible. It only makes things worse between the citizens and the government.
Nothing but hate as usual coming from the Republican Party in the recent years. One of many reasons our traditionally Moderate Republican family jumped ship and has abandoned the party, like so many others have already done.
Mr. Steele is distancing himself from the child’s play but it won’t help the party. I am constantly looking to see if there are any solutions offered by his party when President Obama’s policies are criticized but so far – zilch!!! I guess I will have to go to Lens Crafters to get some high powered specs to do the trick.
I agree with Steele that the GOP has nothing to gain by being disruptive but it seems as if they have no other recourse due to lack of sensible ideas to promote their party.
Obama and the DNC did not learn the "Teaching Moment" in Mass.
Obama is repeating the same mistake, jumping to conclusions without all the facts. I went to one of these to express my opinion of the health care bill. I am not a Republican and sadly voted for Obama. Now, I realize that he IS a socialist and his extravagant spending and socialist programs will ruin America. The American people need to have their voices heard and the idiots in congress will not listen. They want us to come to their meetings and sit there quietly while they pontificate a bunch of lies. I don't think so!
Steele's comments just SOLIDIFIES the fact that he's LYING through his big teeth.
Steele's statement to the media just proves Republicans ARE INDEED RESPONSIBLE FOR INCITING TOWN HALL MOB PROTESTS!!!
HA! HA! HA!
Whew... what a bunch of LIARS. They don't know when to keep their traps shut. The MORE Republicans talk, the more they oust themselves as LIARS.
It's not surprising that the party that constantly yells about their rights being taken away is now trying to stop public officials from talking. The hypocrisy of the Party of No never ceases.
Steele is a liar. The messages that are being parroted are too similar, too tight. This is agitprop at its worst (best?). Gobbels would be proud of them.
Were it not for myths and lies, Republicans would have nothing to say.
I'm assuming that Limbaugh had his hand up the puppet's ass(meaning Steele) so he can speak. Steele shows real lack of leadership and brass to even be called any party's National Chairman.
Yes demonize the RNC all the while your policies are failing and your poll numbers are down.
Seems to me libs need an enemy ........hate the rich, hate white males, hate Christians, hate the conservatives, hate the police, and hate the military.
After all your situation is never your fault…you are always a victim of something…..
RNC = Repetitive Nauseating Crap
LIES, LIES ... and more LIES Mr Steele
How do you Republicans sleep at night ???
Have you no souls at all ???
THE PARTY OF NO ... NOTHING, NADA ...
The saddest part is these right-wing extremists actually believe they are part of a "grass-roots" effort. Meanwhile everyone with a brain has already figured out this "movement" for what it really is (health insurance lobbyists) and is laughing at them. It almost makes me feel sorry for them being totally used as pawns like that.
Redirecting the phone calls to the DNC is HILARIOUS and very CLEVER!!!!!!!!! Those liberals and the DNC must have felt like complete idiots! LOL! Great job Republican's! LOL!
Anyone who disagrees with President Obama's policies is an undeducated, out of touch, extremist simpleton. Got the memo DNC, thanks for educating me.
Yet another case of the RNC choosing not to listen to Americans
Dear DNC
I have protested at health care protest. I don't get paid by any conservetive group. I have gone to my congressmen's meetings when I ask questions about the bill. Their is nothing wrong with me asking question. Why don't you understand DNC we have voted for the DEM. in office ,and we have the right to ask questions.
Lier....Lier pants on fire. No we don't beleive the RNC or the GOP or the Rush or the Newt, or the Insanity Hannity, or all of those cheese
These people are genuinely concerned over, and sincerely upset over the nonsense and lies the GOP machine is pumping out. Everyone would be upset if you believed the garbage they are shoveling, But is it not true. They don't want an honest debate because their only position is based on completely fabricated lies. They do not survive in the sunlite!
Steele fits right in as the Leader of the LIARS
You see!!! Trickery and underhanded tactics used by the Rethugs again! That's all that they are about. What makes these hooligans think that by stonewalling all of the current administration's policies they will be elected in 2012 without "any" resolutions to hard issues?
isn't that the role of a republican and their leader? insite fear and hatred, then deny it? DEVILS, LIARS AND HYPOCRITS!
I strongly suggest the DNC reprogram their phone menu to tell the callers what the RNC has done and offer to redirect the calls back the RNC. Alternately, I would suggest the DNC offer the callers the opportunity to record their opinion of the RNC's actions and flood the RNC switchboard with irate message calls.
Sink the moral squalor of the GOP with their own swill.
I found out about my congressman's 'local' events because HE e-mailed me. Not through the Republican party or anywhere else.
I may very well attend and try to ask some questions. I don't want to cause trouble, but I'm very concerned that the deficit has quadrupled in 200 days, unemployment is over 10%, and Goldman Sachs just posted a record quarter but no one seems interested in investigating their involvement in letting certain competitors fail.
I want an investigation on what happened with the Fannie/Freddie disaster. I want to know how people were approved for the Treasury Department after forgetting to pay their taxes, and I want to know why my government is more worried about getting re-elected than making sure the military isn't getting the equipment it needs.
When will the democrats,pushing through yet another bill not wanted by many citizens, listen. We are not incited by the RNC, we are fed up with their agenda to further bankrupt a country and not approach health care reform reasonably. It isn't about a government run program, it is about reforming an already in place health care system to make it affordable and there are ways to accomplish this. Obama has an agenda that is NOT american!
Is there no decency left within the GOP and American "conservatives"? These hypocritical dinosaurs are sure doing a good job of assuring themselves a place on the wrong side of history and humankind.
Steele is an idiot. As a Marylander, I'm glad we got him out of our state government. Steele and the RNC are perfectly matched intellectually.
First Steele denied the Republican Party had any role in organizing the confrontations.
Then he said, "We're not inciting anyone to go out and disrupt anything," said Steele. "We're not organizing the town halls," only encouraging individuals to visit their congressman or senator to "express their point of view."
That means your oganization did play a role. However, I think the special interest groups did most if not all of the organizing. but they did so through conservative PACs.
"… I'm not telling people to go out and be disruptive, because there's no upside to doing that. We want to have a legitimate debate…there's no upside for us in starting a fight with the Democratic Party, or with elected officials that we disagree with."
Yet these people show up randomly at town-hall meetings, some of which have nothing to do with healthcare reform, shouting socialized medicine and hanging effigies of democratic leaders. But of course that's not what the GOP is all about. Birthers and deathers are takin over the party, while the dems enjoy a long-term majority standing. Like it or not, better get used to it.
Republicans – the party of no ideas, no manners, and no truth - and not a Christian value in sight!!! As the GOP becomes more radical and wingnutty every day, it saddens me. Rather than sitting at the table and trying to solve big issues, they drown out any sincere discussion and concerns with their mob mentality antics. Shameful but totally expected.
Mike I forgot to take my stupid pill today .....
Mr. Steele: I am one of no doubt millions who will give credit were credit is due: The GOP utterly destroyed the economy. President Obama is fixing it.
As Chairman of the RNC isn't is your job, Steele, to keep your people in line? As usual, you and your party simply turn a blind eye and a deaf ear, and hum and ha, but never take the blame or try to correct the behavior.
I wonder what the overall IQ of your remaining faithful is. Lately, the antics being played by the GOP are reminiscent of middle school and seem to lack insight, maturity, and, well, adulthood, if you will.
This is no doubt due to all those educational cuts of the past 8 years.
It is hard to believe proven liars.
The GOP don't do anything wrong......If you believe that, you are in the twilight zone....
I wonder who ordered this ploy. Oh, I think I know. Lush Limpdick.
The Politics of polarization is all they have left. I guess they're going to fight for their right to have healthcare coverage that gives you double digit inflation (even in the worst economic down turn in our life time) and dwindling coverage. My guess is the people fighting the hardest have never really been sick.
Steele...what are you, five years old???? And judging by the angry old women at these meetings....yeah, the GOP, RNC and FN are all culprits.
Hey Liberals get this through that thick skull of yours. "Rules for Radicals" works both ways. Now you are in power and the other side decided to use your very same tactics. People will be showing up at meetings more often now and they will want to be heard. The thing you should really watch is the use of the word mob to descibe your fellow citizens. Why is it with liberals and the media that when you are vocal and on your side they are supporters but when they are vocal and oppose you they are an angry mob.
Watch what you say media or you will see what a real mob is.
Unbelieveable! Our representatives need to start acting like adults instead of children. We need health care reform now and they need to figure out a way to work with each other, both sides have ideas to establish a new system. This country needs to come together, right, left, and moderate in order to restore it's greatness. This won't happen if everyone keeps looking out for their own interest.
Actually, if you attended a Town Hall meeting, you might find out the Republicans are in deep doo with voters as well.
The dems did this for years to President Bush. They don't like the taste of their own medicine. Do they?
I'm sick of these liberal democrats who have their head so far up their butt they refuse to see that THIS IS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TALKING BACK, you know-the citizens that they are stealing from and making laws that are killing everything this country has stood for? They are trying to pass as much as possible, as fast as possible so that the American people can not stick up for our own opinions-then blame the GOP. How about this.....AMERICANS UNITE, fight big government. WE'RE SICK OF IT......
I'm proud to be an American, and I'm just as proud to denounce Obama as our President-he is not!
The Joker face belongs on Michael Steele, not Barack Obama. Steele obviously advocates pranks and anarchy, not solutions.
Laugh it up, Mr. Steele... the joke's on you.
Steele is a tool! He absolutely knows all about this campaign. Just because a big $$ lobby consulting team is doing it doesn't make the GOP or Steele innocent. Some good journalist (hint hint CNN) should be investigating who is paying for all the lobbyists' time.
Steele is a joke. Does tthis guy think for one moment that he would be chair of the RNC if Obama had not become President. Dosen't he know he's being used by the Republicans to show that they're inclusive. If they wanted to show that they're inclusive they could have gottten someone nore inclusive than that joke Steele.
I like it. Divert the DNC lies back to their origin. The RNC is not telling anyone to be angry, just to express their point of view. If they are angry it is the fault of the Democrats for trying to rush complicated health care reform down the throats of the American people. Makes me angry. Don't need anyone to tell me to be angry. Health care is very personal. The only way to sell this to the American people is to take there time and let everyone know what is in the details of the thousand plus pages. If there are government regulations that impact the doctor/patient relationship of those who currently have private insurance and like it, the anger will be multiplied ten fold. Obama and the Dems will be proven to be decievers and liers.
Michael Steele is lying through his teeth by saying the RNC isn't involved in those town hall disruptive tantrums that the Republicans are behind! The RNC and the GOP are basically one in the same. How childish they all are, and the majority of intelligent people in this country can see through the lies. Only the right-wing nut jobs who are on the fringe of sanity agree with this behavior. They are giving the rest of us a huge headache but a good laugh as well!
Yeah right!
When have Republicans ever owned up to their dirty tricks? Steel is just another example of the whiners in the Party of NO!
Only a lying liberal would believe that these people have been put there by the Republicans. As an Independent, I am tired of lazy people claiming to be victims.
Michael Steele is such a lame brain. Its obvious that the repukes are clueless, and that they don't want to learn anything from the mess they created. Now they think its funny to act like frat boys over an issue that is important. The more they act like jerks the more I support a single payer system.
Figures, no one home at the RNC. Or perhaps a huevoless situation?
Dems: "We don't need to read the bill. We won!"
I have a proposal. If Congress thinks this health care proposal is so great, why don't they cancel the health insurance provided to Congress and replace it with the one they want to pass. Obama ducked the question about his insurance saying "he has good insurance".
Obama and congress: lead by example, if you want your constituents to believe this is just what we need then you also should be on the same program.
My bet, they will never do it. Doesn't that tell everyone "do as i say but not as i do"!
Of course Steele denies everything. If fact, he probable dosen't even know where he is or who he is.
Democrats can not believe that other Democrats disagee with them,and do not want the Government to ruin their health care.Especially when the Democrats admit they have not read the bill,that is not in final draft form and has already had 100 changes,so they do not know what is in it.
Town halls can get loud and roudy,when they are not scripted as Obama's are.
Steele lies again. The 'wingnuts' fingerprints are all over the disruption of town hall meetings. It is Bush v. Gore all over again. It is Terry Shiavo all over again. These disruptionists cannot govern ( 8 years of Bush). They can only disrupt and devalue.
I have known these people all my life. They are the kind of people who have something and will not allow anyone else to have what they have.
When health care finally bankrupts this country, no one will have health care. Certainly not those who can only say NO.
Ha ha ha right right right....
And the cookie monster has no idea what happened in the kitchen. Mr. Steele is shocked SHOCKED to learn their is gambling in Casablanca.
I guess when you lie as much as the Republicans you stop caring whether anybody knows you're lying.
I have read a lot of nonsense from both sides of the isle, however let us for a moment take a deep breath and ask ourselves has anyone mentioned tort reform? How about removing the fraud from the system? How about allowing individuals and small business's to deduct their premiums from income tax? How about letting small business and individuals form large groups, across state lines and letting them pick the coverage they want from the most competitive companies?? I think these are ideas that have not been included in the mix at this point, How about health care plans with large deductibles, and let the people who are needing health care to make the call on when to see a doctor. They are called Health Care Saving plans.
This is why the RNC loved Palin. It was her ability to whip the crowd into a frenzied mob. I sure do wish we could return to politics with some civil thoughtful conversation. It has gotten out of hand with both parties, so full of hate and lies and distortions. You really have to look at everything both sides say very carefully to try and find some truth mixed in with all the accusations. It is very sad.
I really don't think the GOP is that organized to pull something like this off. I think the Dems are giving them more credit than they deserve.
It's really sad that at a time when the President is doing what he has been elected to do ( take care of his Country and it's citizens ) by trying to do the one thing that has been long over due, reforming health care so we can be a better, healthier, stronger Country that he is getting so much opposition from people who are only arguing for their party's sake not for the sake of people like you and me Americans.
its kinda funny how they these liberals actually thinkg the GOP has something to do with speaking their own opinions. Why is it whenever we disagree with this administration it must be an "angry mob" and not someone just voicing their opinion. We are watching our country being taken away from us by this administration.
No ability to have civilized discussion when Republicans, RNC, and conservative talk show hosts incite hatred and maliciousness by perpetuating half truths and lies. Booker T. Washington said "Great men cultivate love.....only little men cherish a spirit of hatred." It appears that the Republican party cherishs the spirit of hatred based on the nature of their behavior during the campaign i.e.crowds at McCain/Palin rallies and presently at town hall meetings. Shameful actions by all involved, participants at meetings and Republican Senators urging them on. Try to act like adults and have meaningful discussions regarding this most important issue.
The GOP is only going to make people more mad by these actions.
I wonder if the GOP is ever going to figure it out: the more they avoid responsibility and fail to offer real solutions, the more they will lose.
Steele is a liar like all Republicans. With the murder weapon in his hand he decries these foul, vie, dispecable, disruptive, inglorious, benighted, and revolting but wholly Republican tacts. Steele and his jack boot members are a foul stench in the nostrils of the nation.
We need health care reform. If it failed, no one afford to get health insurance from the private carrier. I think this is another dirty polictic from the Republican
yes pass the buck on like the GOP do so well.
Why does Steele's comments always ring so hollow? Could it be because they always are just criticisms without any solutions, always self-justifying and aimed at returning to 'more of the same', what got us where we are?
Let the Civil War begin....it's time to declare open season on Republicans! The only good Republican is a dead one!
Typical Republican tactics:
1. DENY, DENY, DENY
2. SMEAR, SMEAR, SMEAR
Hey RNC and Michael Steele – when you have something constructive to say, come back and see us American people. In the meantime:
Don't go away mad – just go away.
Steele, there's never legitimacy to denying others the freedom of speech. America is a Democracy.......mister. These "rallies/protest" are the same "rallying" cries of Hatred and Anger that the Entire World saw on the Campaign trail. These people are Not legitimate....... but "cranks" that are being Used by the Republicans, of which you are head in name, to keep things as they are...... their pockets being "greased" by the Healthcare Lobbyist. No more, no less!
People are angry and Mr. Obama and the Dem's are not listening – it is like any other society – those that are not being heard yell louder. The Dem's need to listen to the whole country, not just their groupies.
I used to be a Repub but when I this kind of tactic used, thats it with me with the Repubs. If we can't win then nobody wins and I'm taking everything down with me. That's a pretty sleazy attitude not to mention self serving. I'm going independent next time. Go Ron Paul/Palin(2012)
Steele is a liar and he knows it.
The thing is – nothing Steele says is important. He's a non-entity in his own party, a front for the Republicans' real leaders – Sarah Palin, Dick Cheney and Rush Limbaugh.
Nothing to see here, move along.
The next Republican president will be singing the public option's praises. It's the truth.
Michael Steele is the GOP's token minority. Nothing he says or does is of any REAL consequence because no one is taking him seriously. He's the black version of Ellie Mae Palin. Representative of the nutwing side of the GOP. He should sit beside clarence thomas in the race for respect. Neither of them have an ounce of respect from their own race let alone from the white race. Steele will eventually be replaced anyways.
You can bet your bottom dollar Steele had his hands all over this one....
This guy lies like a rug.
Evidently only liberals are allowed to protest. Lord knows we saw enough luny liberal protests for the last 8 years. Take a hike.
the party of deceit and deceitful tactics. buyer beware the GOP has moral problems they are unable to address.
Dance Steele dance! You listen to Rush and Karl. What a fool!
You kids need to grow up and stop acting like fools. Obama is President ok. You just have to live with it or leave the country. Many of you said that if he won that you would leave so why are you still here? Chuck Norris has been hit in the head TOO many times he is off his rocker.
He always denies everything, even if he's directly responsible. Sick of the Republican whining.
Yeah, just like they weren't inciting anyone during the election.
Conservatives for Patient Rights has already accepted credit for indeed "ginning up" the neo-con base and getting them to the town hall meetings.
For the Party of NO, you wanted time to understand the health care bill at least hold up a sign in protest, but save you mob rule mentality for the Klan meetings. Listen and ask a question, IF selected, but keep the juvenile shouting down so the people that actually are there to be informed will not have wasted their time.
For the Dems, cancel all these town meetings, remember, the redneck knuckle draggers carry guns and believe "god is on their side".
'Nuff said.
Ah , the magic of smoke and mirrors, yada yada yada!!!
The GOP is getting so good at deception, they make tricky dick look tame!
I spoke with a person who just attended a town hall meeting on free choice and health care reform. Republican representatives were invited and guaranteed they could have the floor to explain their views but none of them attended. There were, however, a group of people who drove over 100 miles to attend and did everything they could to disrupt the meeting. They were confronted by the crowd and left before the meeting concluded.
LIAR LIAR......your mama should wash your mouth out with soap!!!
Steele is flat out lying. The gop should be ashamed and the American public will not stand for these lies from republicans anymore. They are killing this country with thier partisan politics.
This arrogant administration just can't believe that the people are opposed to their idiotic ideas. Hey Barry, there isn't much standing between you and the people with the pitchforks.
I find it interesting when gutless Mr. Steele says the republicans are not behind this when Shawn Hannity and Rush Limbaugh have been talking about nothing else. They have been firing up this action for weeks and friends of mine have been trying to get me to join them through e-mails. What a joke this party is. Do they think we are all stupid ? What saddens me is that they do rile up the public by giving out mis-information, twisted truths, far of losing their health care and their own opinions with no rebuttal from anyone. How are they to know the other side if no one speaks for President Obama. The have a pulpit for hours with no one to say when they are not telling the truth. How is that called non biased. The only t.v. station that is non bias is CNN and Charlie Gibson .
Why won't CNN run the pro health care ads????? You are showing yourself to be just another Fox news. No wonder your ratings are dropping. I don't watch Cnn anymore. Too bad because I like Anderson Cooper, but you are bought and paid for obviously by those pharma ads you run continually. Shame on you. I hope Anderson and Jack Cafferty move to MSNBC.
You can tell when a republican lies. Their mouth moves.
Awl poor democrats hate having people laughing at them.
Republicans are total hypocrites. They cry and whine that they aren't being listened to....but when people call to tell them their point of view....they hang up on them.
From here on out, by the GOP's absolute condolence and embrace of the practice: it's ok to completely ignore anything and EVERYTHING that republicans want. They are incapable of acting like adults, so send the kids to the corner and let the grown ups with a functioning brain do the decision making.
I work for the largest health insurance corporation in America. I CANNOT afford to go to the Dr. We need healthcare reform now.
What a looser Steel is .Enough said
JEALOUSY THEY SAY IS THE ROOT OF HATRED. This guy can't seem to accept the fact that Obama is the President of this country and doing well at it too. He opens his mouth and nothing falls off of it than words he never even evaluates before speaking.
The media has already said that the guy that shot people in Pittsburg was full of hatred. It appears Republicans through their rhetorics are willing to produce more of home terrorists than help the President solve problems facing American people.
Steele is more than half-right, the RNC proper couldn't organize its way out of a wet paper bag right now. But their "conservative movement" allies openly brag about their astroturfing at health care events. Disgusting, but that's the reality of modern American politics.
Doesn't anyone give the American people credit for having a brain and using it. This is not a Republican or Democrat problem here this is an American problem. People are getting tired of all this bullcrap in the government and are now expressing it. They are mad at both parties and the President. Congress needs to wake up and listen to us the Americans at what we are saying and quit blaming it on the RNC or DNC its both. To me the only reason i see the Dems want this health care pass is for votes in 2010 so they can brag about how they got the health care done whether it is right or wrong it just gives them bragging power and that is not what we want. Stop being in an hurry listen to each sides or else we will vote you out. We are Mad and we aren't taking anymore Congress.
This is the Republican party at it's best, once again trying to impose
their views to stall any progress on an issue the is impacting middle class America. As usual they are using the fear card of "socialism" to re direct public opinion from the real issue while offering no solutions of their own.
This is going to backfire and we can through out the rest of the corporate representatives in Congress at the 2010 elections.
Do what is best for the majority of your countrymen and women not the health care industry who are supporting your election. Try to remeber you were elected to support "We the people"!
I'm not buying that the Republicans aren't involved in the disruption efforts. If that is so, then they should condemn the town hall disruptions. Its one thing to ask questions, its another to shout down the speakers.
Steele is a coward and a liar!
I completely agree with Michael Steele's strategy and any one that does not is a racist!
Poor ignorant fool
? I don't think Steele is telling the truth. Big Surprise.
Georges W BUSH spent thrillions a day in Iraq and those right-wing sheeps here are complaining about OBAMA spending 'the people's wealth'..??? MakesNO sense