Washington (CNN) – Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele released a statement late Thursday condemning acts of violence and threats against members of Congress who voted for health care reform.
Steele said that if angry voters channel their frustration, Democrats who "have abused their power and disenfranchised the American people" will suffer at the ballot box in November.
Read Steele's full statement after the jump:
Statement from Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele:
"Americans across the country are understandably angered and disappointed that Democrats put politics above the interest of their constituents and the economy. But resorting to violent measures is exactly the wrong way to send a message. Instead, if we want to change the way this country is being run, we need to call our elected officials, make smart arguments and most importantly organize ourselves for the November elections. What makes America great is that we have an opportunity to channel this anger, through the peaceful transfer of power, every two years. The un-American way that Democrats have abused their power and disenfranchised the American people should and will be met by the ultimate power – an electoral avalanche in November."
From CNN Politics
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Um, yeah – good luck with that avalanche in November, Micheal. We are ALL still out here and we ALL still believe in CHANGE from the way your crew ran this country into shame, debt, and ruin. The avalanche is coming, just not the direction you think.
As much as I dislike Mr. Steele, I commend him on this. For once a voice of reason by the republicans. I think it's the only thing he's said that makes sense.
steele really doesn't sound like he's condoning violence. his statement, like cantor's, is an insult wrapped in the guise of an call for calm.
as for his contention that the democrats have abused their power, he may want to consult the constitution with regards to how legislation is passed. nowhere in the constitution does it discuss bi-partisanship.
The Leader of the RNC has fueled this nonsense for over a year now. Mr. Steele, you should understand the progression of out of control angry people, especially the type you have encouraged. Shame on you Mr. Steele.
SHUT UP.... abused their power??? what did Dems do that was illegal?
Stupid token.
It is about time some republican stood up and did the right thing. I wonder how long it will be before all the other republicans line up to take turns screaming about how he is wrong and no one should listen to him. After all, that's what they do any other time he issues any kind of statement at all.
If Mr. Steele really condemns acts of violence perhaps he should remove the RNC site portrayal of Nancy Pelosi which not so subtlety suggests burning at the stake.
That, folks, is a violent portrayal of a powerful woman.
Why is CNN so reluctant to call violence by its right name?
Unfortunately, when I hear Michael Steele speak, the term "Uncle Tom" comes to my mind. This man has sold his own race out and should be ashamed of himself.
Too little too late Mr. Steele.
Civility? When have the Dems been civil. I worked for a living and for my retirement and health benefits. All the health bill will do is increase my health care costs and probably reduce any Medicare that I get so that non-working people can be covered at my expense. Dems are an elitist group of "do gooders" that get great pleasure out of having the working class pay for their fantasies that the non-working can be improved by giving them all the things that the working have obtained through hard work and sacrifice.
I am not "angered and disappointed" as Steal states, and I Am an American. So who is Steele talking about? Maybe he should have started his statement off by saying "some Americans."
His statement is misleading. Most Americans love the Congress' decision.
Just more republican spin by the token of the refusenik party. It is very sad to see grown men and women acting like spoiled six-year olds because they didn't get their way. Shameful!
The leader speaks!
Too little, to late, Mr. Steele!!! Your "firing line" comment about Nancy Pelosi should have been "firing squad". The same message of violence would have come through.
Michael Steele is the most inept heads of a Political Party there ever was.
Chairman Steele should recognize and acknowledge the conservative "violence" for what it is–terrorism.
Dear Michael Steel and the RNC,
These dogs wouldn't have been elected if the Republicans actually stood on principle. After 8 horrific years of Bush in power, do you think you have any more credibility? Thank god people like Peter Schiff and Rand Paul are running for senate. War-hungry government-bloating social-authoritarian hypocritical evangelical nation-building blowhards need not apply.
The real power of the Americans has come from the individual, not the state, not the federal government. It would be good for all of you to remember that.
Looking a little tired Steele. Take a break....make it a long one! You're finished. GOP is done with you. Huh, after they used you.
Good bye!
That's all we wanted from the start. Too bad it's being used as a talking point but I guess pols can't say much of anything without throwing in some jabs. Kudos Mr. Steele, that's all we asked for.
You're calling Democrats un-American??? Some of your Republicans actually sent up health reform bills long ago – the content of which is in this bill. The only reason that this wasn't a stronger bill was because of opposition to anything President Obama has worked so hard to accomplish. Un-American is the way that the Republicans fanned the flames of discontent from those who never read the bill – those who accepted your lies about it. Un-American is the corruption of the Republicans from the last decade that displaced money from American taxpayers into the hands of the likes of the Hedge fund honchos, Halliburton, and all of you politicians who accept lobby money.
Republicans are acting like a bunch of sore loser children instead of responsible adult leaders. Start to realize that you spoiled greedy cheats were the reason for the change. Stop the moaning.
Great point Mr. Steele. Now its only a matter of seeing the post election results!
Trying to reign in the monster your party created, huh Mr. Steele?
Too little, way too late. You made your bed, and you've got yourself a new albatross in the teabaggers.
Michael Steele "condemns" the violence yet hours after his statement the
RNC website still shows Nancy Pelosi up in flames. Perhaps Mr. Steele and the rest of the party needs to review the definitions of "violence", "incite" and while they have the dictionary out, look up "hypocracy" as well. If a school student drew that picture they would instantly be reported as a troubled youth. It's beyond shocking that any leader, let alone an African-American man would condone the portrayal of a person on fire. It's an image hurtful to so many cultures and oh, yes, violent. As they say, the "fish stinks from the head down."
Lip service is given by Republican after Republican but do you notice this undercurrent of hatred and twisting of reality . When Glenn Beck calls progessivism a cancer upon our nation is he not enciting violence? The right has made a concious decision to engage in social enginerring with 24/7 blanketing of our nation with hate jocks and shock jocks all perpetuating a warped sense of reality. Yes they breed the wackos and borderline D students to violence ,but they have decided the ends justify the means. The saddest part of all this is that many people with enough gray matter to hold a civil discourse on political ideology have become so warped by years of listening to false claims and twisted facts that they can no longer even think in terms of moderation.
tell to your GOP thugs who were sold out to corporate greed....ok, idiots...
Save your breath, Steele. Your party encourages this type of behavior. Your lips move, but you don't believe what you say...
I'm sorry, Mr. Steele, but if you're going to put your answer in that kind of heated rhetoric, that's not calling off the wolves. It's that kind of heated rhetoric and those kinds of lies that got us into this potentially dangerous place.
Condemn violence. Then shut up and move on.