Updated: Michael Steele to critics, ‘Shut up or Fire me’

The Video:

The Story via ABC News:

ABC News’ Aaron Katersky and Rick Klein report: RNC Chairman Michael Steele is lashing out his critics, with a series of blunt messages for prominent Republicans who have blasted him over his leadership for the Republican Party.

“I tell them to get a life. That’s old Washington, that’s old ways, and I don’t represent that, and that kills them,” Steele told ABC News Radio in an interview today.

“I’m telling them and I’m looking them in the eye and say I’ve had enough of it. If you don’t want me in the job, fire me. But until then, shut up. Get with the program or get out of the way.”

Steele was responding to a series of reports — most recently in today’s Washington Times — where prominent GOP operatives and fund-raisers have criticized Steele for seeming to focus more on his own image (and pocketbook) rather than the good of the party

Ed Morrissey weighs in here:

Shut up? Maybe Steele hasn’t noticed, but America is a place where we hold our leaders accountable, or at least attempt to do so. While the GOP should be focusing on holding Democrats accountable, Steele argues that we treat him like a dictator, given the keys to Rome for a year in order to rout the barbarians. At the very least, Steele should familiarize himself with Harry Truman’s famous maxim: if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

[…]

For the year in which he agreed with D.L. Hughley that the 2008 GOP convention looked like a Nazi rally and his opinion that Republicans aren’t ready to lead? Er, sure. He could give himself that “good, solid B-plus.” And it would have much the same meaning as the one Obama assigned himself — a great argument against self-evaluation as a technique.

I agree with Ed here on principle. However, I will simply add this. While I believe that criticism is totally legitimate. Anonymous criticism towards someone, is just cowardly. My feeling is, if you have a beef with Steele, say it to his face, write him, tell him about it. Don’t act like a coward and do it behind his back. If you have a beef with Steele because he is too black or because he is black, period; be a man and tell him about it, and tell Steele or the GOP how you feel about how Steele is doing his job. Own up to what you feel, don’t nuance it, don’t play stupid, speak what you feel! Oh, and before anyone screams, or before Ed Screams! No, I am not calling Ed a racist. I know that is NOT where he is coming from. But there are those that do. Hence the point. 😀

I will admit it, Steele acts like a clown, he gives the Black Liberals what they want; talking points. He tries to say, that the G.O.P. is racist. He does not actually come out and say it. But it is a nuanced message. I agree with Ed, Steele’s agreeing with D.L. Hughley was a huge blunder, it also made him look like a Identity Politics type. Which is all sorts of wrong within the Republican Party, hence the uproar towards him. However, I think if party bosses have an issue with Steele, they need to call a meeting and confront him, otherwise, they need to just zip it and let the man do his job.

Just my thoughts. 😀

Update : As a rule, Tbogg can be quite the liberal a-hole, but I found this to be quite funny 😀 😆 —:

Michael Steele goes all Kathy Griffin on Republicans

HEH!

Update: Whoa Boy… I do believe Mr. Steele might be getting the ol’ Heave Ho, before he knows it, Via CQ Politics: (H/T AP)

Although RNC Research Director Jeff Berkowitz originally defended the campaign committee and Steele, aides ultimately acknowledged that they have little control over the former Maryland lieutenant governor and that they are not in charge of lining up his media appearances while he is promoting his book.

“Their response was, ‘We’re not booking the book stuff,’” a second GOP Senate aide said. And while RNC staff said they would try to get Steele “back on message,” this Senate aide said the frustration goes well beyond Steele’s latest statement [that the GOP can’t take back the House this year], charging that he is using his position at the RNC to line his own pockets rather than raise much-needed campaign cash.

“Republicans at all levels have been working day and night to build a wave, and every time we turn around the guy standing on the surfboard is busy trying to collect admission to watch him ride,” the aide said, arguing that “he has an agenda of his own that isn’t reflected by the goals of the party as a whole.”

Republicans said there’s a growing concern that Steele is catering to conservative activists and others who may not have the party’s best interests at heart. Steele mounted an unsuccessful bid for Senate in 2006, running as a moderate.

“He’s talking like he’s some kind of tea partier … when [in 2006] he was THE most moderate candidate we had in the field. That was his whole thing, and he had no problem trashing [former President George W.] Bush and others for being too conservative,” one GOP aide said.

I just hope that the RNC thinks loooooooooooooooooong and hard before they give Steele the boot. The backlash could get ugly.