[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."
Rush is a racist, and so are his followers. If they didn't agree with his rhetoric, they wouldn't listen to him–period.
See this. This is your brain. See this. This is your brain on drugs.
Limbaugh calling a hispanic woman a "racist" is like a Nazi blaming Jews for the holocaust. This drug-addicted, bigoted misogynist gets more and more insane as time goes on. If he turned some of his hate inward (where it belongs), he would almost be amusing, maybe even worthy of stand-up comedy. What's most disturbing is the flock of middle-class Americans that actually buy into this mega-rich blowhard's anti-American beliefs. The fact is, he does not want to see our country succeed – he said it himself. The more war, hatred, despair, and destruction, the fatter his wallet gets.
He say I'm sorry soon enough to Rush and Newt, just wait and and see. The only question is how soon it will come. Monday at the latest I bet. The true leaders of the GOP will have Steele on his knees, again.
Whatever! The damage to the relationship between the Republican Party and the Hispanics is already done!!!!!!!!!
Hispanics, African-Americans, mnorities as a whole are getting a true picture of what it is to be "part of a minority group" and also be a republican. It is like water and oil: THEY WON'T EVER MIXED!!!!!!!!!!
Whatever! The damage to the relationship between the Republican Party and the Hispanics is already done!!!!!!!!!
Hispanics, African-Americans, mnorities as a whole are getting a true picture of what it is to be "part of a minority group" and also be a republican. It is like water and oil: THEY WON'T EVER MIXED!!!!!!!!!!
Translation: Her qualifications don't matter one bit. What matters is her ethnicity. When you start grouping people into those categories you start sounding like democrats. Cowards.
I would respectfully submit that Rush Limbaugh has a lot more in common with David Duke than anybody in the Obams administration!
Lord knows America needed a change from the previous administration and the old methods of conducting business yet only public opinion knows when too much change begins to yield diminished returns. The Sotomayor nomination may be the tipping point depending on her confirmation hearings particularly her stand on illegal immigrants and her acceptance of radical movements like La Raza. I doubt seriously if America will accept a justice embracing those who will violate American laws!!!
This white honky cannot understand "jive talk"!
"Slammin and rammin" I understand, but not in this context.
I hope that Sambo Steele's efforts to bring the "gangsta rap and hip hop" crowd into the party of the Aryan Nation's tent, is working better on them than me.
"Slammin and rammin"? So what, Mushmouth now thinks he's John Holmes?
I'll bet the back forty acres Boss Limbaugh did not authorize this statement. OK, Mr. Steele, good for you. I'm a Dirty Dog Democrat, but I am starting to honor you as a worthy opponent. You are standing up. Keep it up.
Gary's comment is:
I say keep Rush Limbaugh right were he is talking for the Republican
Party, or so he thinks. If he keeps talking and saying the stupid things
he is saying there will be no Republican party for people to join.
I hope the day comes one day Americans will not to hear a daily blast
of hate and mis-information from the "Three Stooges" Rush Limbaugh
Sean Hannity, and Nute Gingrich, who should be locked up togeather
in a big room so they could make each other laugh, like most people
I find nothing funny about them or interesting.
Steele is a day late and a dollar short on his comments. Limbaugh has already offended...AGAIN.
Limbaugh is full of hate ! Shut the HEll up already !! and that goes to all the Republicans !!
You Republicans had the white house for 8 miserable years, RUINED it, put us in this MESS we're in now !! Now it's your turn
to just SHUT THE HELL UP and let the Democrats handle it.
Bush and Cheney- your retarded asses are out, now go somewhere
and keep your stupid mouths shut !! STOP ALL YOUR CRITIZING !!
YOU'RE NOT IN CONTROL ANYMORE- THANK GOD !
OBAMA 08 !!!
"slammin' and rammin'?" Dude, talk your age.
Limbaugh should be listened to. He more than anyone knows what it means to be a bigot and a racist.
wow.
The man actually makes sense...
a first for him!
No one is owed anything in this country. What we need to do is start putting the best candidate in office, not someone who is going to prejudice their decisions based on their own life experiences. Don't they know that that is by itself the very basis for bias that should not be present when they 'interpret' our constitution instead of redefining it to suit their own background?
Congratulations to Mr. Steele. This is just exactly how this situation should be handled....He is showing the class that is so missing in the Republican Party. If others would follow his leadership, maybe the party would show improvement... For RL and NG To even compare what she said as being rascist is a no brainer.. What Don Imus said was rascist. This was just the judges view..
To all of the Democrats who like to spew out ridiculous comments that Rush Limbaugh is the leader of the Republicans, this is proof positive that it is not the case, whatsoever. No matter how many times you say something does not make it necessarily true. So, no matter how many times you say Rush Limbaugh is the leader, it just shows your ignorant and venemous attitude.
WOW! What a classy statement ~ "slammin' and rammin'" . This is the spokesperson for the GOP?? Yikes!!
Rush Limbaugh knows full well that the more bizarre things he says, that the more publicity he gets, and therefore the more money he gets.. I wish nobody would pay any attention to him, and then he would drop outta sight!
We Christians must not "slam and ram" anyone. I respect and pray for President Obama, even though I do not agree with his decisions most of the time. I don't think that Limbaugh or Gingrich should have called Sotomayor a racist. I'm certain that Judge Sotomayor will make the best legal decisions that she can. However, the problem here is that she will probably rely on her own wisdom to reach legal conclusions. The Bible teaches us never to rely on our own wisdom.
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5,6
Steele is absolutely correct. Regardless of your political affiliation this is a historic moment in time and it is important to stop and take note of its significance. Sotomayor is extraordinarily qualified for the position which she has been nominated–for Limbaugh to suggest otherwise just proves how foolish he truly is. Again, to equate her to David Duke, is equally as foolish and only goes to prove how truly out of touch with mainstream America Limbaugh really is. Does he actually believe that the average American is going to see Judge Sotomayor as the equivilent of a Grand Wizard of the Klu Klux Klan? Outrageous...