[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/POLITICS/05/13/republicans.family.feud/art.michaelsteelemd.gi.jpg caption="RNC Chairman Michael Steele said Friday that the GOP should recognize the 'historic aspect' of Sonia Sotomayor's nomination."]WASHINGTON (CNN) - Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele suggested Friday that Republicans hold off on "slammin' and rammin'" Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor and instead recognize the "historic aspect" of her nomination.
While guest hosting the Bill Bennett radio show on Friday morning, Steele said he was "excited" to see a Hispanic woman in this position.
"The trap here for the GOP I think is enormous," Steele said. "And I know that a lot of folks want to do the knee jerk you know let's start slammin' and rammin', but I think we really need to take a step back from this and deal with two things, one, the historic aspect of it, acknowledge it, but then move on to the substance of the conversation about what this woman believes."
Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh took an opposite turn from the party chairman, saying that the "way get promoted in the Barack Obama administration" is "by hating white people." Limbaugh also suggested that her nomination would be like picking former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke for the position.
"I think she's disqualified herself. Not only does she lack the often-discussed appropriate judicial temperament, it's worse than that. She brings a form of bigotry or racism to the court," Limbaugh said. He added, "How can a president nominate such a candidate? And how can a party get behind such a candidate? That's what would be asked if somebody were foolish enough to nominate David Duke or pick somebody even less offensive."
During his daily briefing, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs called Limbaugh's comments "offensive."
Finally Steele has a back bone and some one knees to take Ruch off the air, cancel his contract and let him crawl under the rock he came out of. Oh no I think he was made in a dish.
Limbaugh needs to retire and shut up. Whats a former addict know anyway? He's burned out!
uh oh I wonder if Steele is just going to wind up apologizing to Rushie once again? If he doesn't this time and stands his ground he's going to be labeled not a "real Republican" so he better get ready for it.
He'll be backtracking and kissing Rush's backside bySunday am.
Smart advice.
At first I thought she would be too controversial to be nominated, but now I see that the controversies expose just how racist many prominent Republicans are and that they’re racist view extend beyond blacks to include Latinos as well.
The controversy may be a good fund raising tool for Republicans, but the sums of money gained will not buy what they loss in the process, a large segment of Hispanic supporters that otherwise might be attracted to the more conservative party.
If anyone ever reads my postings you must be aware that I am not a Republican. However let's give credit where due. Steele is right.
The Republican Party is truly an irrevelent regional rump party. They as is contribute nothing to the betterment of America.
Your 10th leader is speaking Republicans......Get your 'heezy' in order and leave judge Sotomayor alone.....Rapper Steele knows best.......
To paraphrase an old saw: If a democrat should speak in the desert where no republican could hear-would he still be wrong?
Oh Michael Oh Michael, watch out you might end up getting spanked by Rush again!! I think this is just posturing by Mr Steele, sort of Alpha Male knee jerk reaction, to showing who's boss. Maybe he cleared it with head man Rush and got approval to get nasty with the ultra right.
This is typical of a party that is totally rudderless, they can't figure who or what they are or stand for.
So Limbaugh–was it OK when Alito said very similar things about his racial background when he was being confirmed???
Steele cracks me up. Sotomayor's nomination is "historic". But he just got through saying the other day that Obama wasn't vetted properly because he was black.
Thank goodness I know some ordinary conservatives and Republicans, and they are much more respectful than these two bozos!
Limbaugh exposed. Let him continue on. There is no better way to expose ignorance than to let it speak.
Though I agree with what he is saying He will grovel before the Limpbough on Monday!!!
michael steel is full of it, we know what he is
I am truly believe that Rush is mentally handicapped. I'm afraid for our country. This man is scarier than Bin Laden. I strongly suggest the CIA keep an eye on Rush.
Oh really? in other words you still are going to fight tooth and nail to get rid of her but try to hang on to the Hispanic vote. Nice try.
and besides all that we need to woo women and hispanics to the party of NO. Hook or crook.
Oh, look. Mikey is trying to take back the manhood that King Rush and Cheney took from him a few months ago. Anybody want to bet how long it will take the dogmatic duo to put the smackdown on Mikey THIS time???? Here's a hint: I'm reaching for my egg timer now....
When does the Republican Party get sick and tired of Rush Limbaugh being their voice? When do the finally come out with a statement like "Rush Limbaugh is just a person with an opinion. His opinions are not based on any type of experience, be they work related or educational. He never studied any of the topics he discusses, in college. In fact, he flunked out of the only course he took in college. He never had a job that had anything to do with the economy, financial matters, social matters, judicial matters, political matters, foreign policy matters, or anything else. He was a DJ. He played music on the radio. Please ignore him."
Funny.... David Duke was (is?) a Republican. if you are going to try and slam a nominee by painting them as the worst kind of bigoted racist, you probably shouldn't hold them up to someone from your own party as an example!!!!
Well... I thinkk Steele is as much a token for the Ghastly Old Party to have a black guy challenging the first black president as much as Sotomayor is a symbolic gesture of giving justice to the word diversity. Both have their own respective achievements, but the consequences of their elevation are obvious.
Plain truth.
Another plain truth? Those who believe in everything that Limbaugh says are just plain dumb and unwise.
The Republican Party does nothing more than spew fear and hate.
Let them drown in the cesspool they created for themselves.
Good riddance.
As a Christian i would like to know if there are other Christians who listen to Limbaugh. If so how do you justify listening to his anti-christian remarks?
we would all be better off if the lintbag,who can not get elected to a job as dog catcher would just shut his mouth.