03/26/2009 10:55 am

POV

Steele on Limbaugh Fight: 'It Was All Strategic' (Video)

CNN

Michael Steele, the new Chairman of the Republican National Committee, inflamed party peers this month when he blasted right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh as "incendiary."

The wave of criticism became so intense, in fact, that Steele apologized and insisted he had been "inarticulate". Well now Steele’s claiming his remarks — and the resulting admonishments — were all part of a grand plan.

Said Steele to CNN’s Don Lemons,

I do something, there’s a reason for it. Even, it may look like a mistake, a gaffe. There is a rationale, there’s a logic behind it.

It helps me understand my position on the chess board. It helps me understand, you know, where the enemy camp is and where those who are inside the tent are.

Well, strategic or not, the move didn’t endear Steele to many Republican loyalists. Despite that, Steele tells Lemon he has considered running for the White House. Whether he will or not will be determined by a power higher than Limbaugh: God.

"…If that’s part of the plan, it’ll be the plan," explained Steele. "We may have this conversation in eight, ten, 12 years and you’ll sit back and you’ll play the tape back and say, ‘Oh, look at what you said!’ But it’ll be because that’s where God wants me to be at that time." God, for the record, is not affiliated with any political party.

Watch:

57 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

fp1
lololol  Sure Mikie.
By fp1 on 03/26/2009 11:08 am
SJMorgan
Go ahead and laugh Frank…the guy who orchastrated it was on Hannity last night and he diid not deny it!
By SJMorgan on 03/26/2009 11:22 am
fp1
And you actually think I’d believe anyone who appeared on that looney’s show? lololol
By fp1 on 03/26/2009 11:27 am
MelBerg
f p that is exactly what I was thinking!
By MelBerg on 03/26/2009 1:32 pm
DeBrcaobj

Telling it like it is definitely WAS strategic. Of course it was, what’s wrong with that? What’s shocking about it? But the Democrats did not put the words he said in Limbaugh’s mouth nor did they put Steele’s apologetic lips on Limabaugh’s pinky ring! Every time Steele opens his mouth he makes a fool of himself?

BTW…. OBSTRUCTIONISM is strategic on the part of the GOP as well, though it is hurting our country, not merely a political strategy against a party. 

By DeBrcaobj on 03/26/2009 11:28 am
SJMorgan
They did not put words in his mouth but…they ONLY printed the ONES they wanted you to hear!  Leving the full text and context of the comments out!  Sound Bite Cut and Paste! 
By SJMorgan on 03/26/2009 11:31 am
DeBrcaobj
PRINTED? Limbaugh’s every word is on tape for all to hear. Get real. Limbaugh makes his living being a vitriolic hack and says vile things just to get attention thus higher ratings. And the fact that he has become the voice of the Republican party to the point that no one dare speak against him without bowing and scraping in apology… is NOT the making of the Democrats. The Democrats just used it to their advantage by shining a light on it. And the Republicans helped by doing exactly what the Democrats said they did… apologize immediately following making any criticism of the Republican Messiah.
By DeBrcaobj on 03/26/2009 11:48 am
MaryQuiteContrary
Yes. The words are on tape. Please actually listen to them. Limbaugh, being interviewed by Sean Hannity, stated clearly, for all to hear, that he “wanted Obama’s policies—if they lead us to socialism—to fail.” In the two party system, each party wants their policies/beliefs to be successful; ie, and the other parties’ policies/beliefs to fail. What is so hard to understand about that?
By MaryQuiteContrary on 03/26/2009 12:31 pm
DeBrcaobj

I have listened to them and I think they are disgraceful. Oh, and btw… you are quoting Rush’s BACK TRACKING comments, not his original comments.

Wanting our president to fail, as well as, being obstructionist in Congress when we are in a crisis, is appalling, and the opposite of caring about our country. The GOP has to own up to it’s own actions… it is not the responsibility of the Democrats to keep quiet about it. And if Steele has to apologize to Rush when he criticizes him… THAT also is not the Democrats problem, but it definitely will be mentioned! If you don’t like it, you should call your congressmen and tell them to stop bowing and scraping to this Right Wing Hack. 

By DeBrcaobj on 03/26/2009 12:47 pm
MaryQuiteContrary
He was not backtracking. The first time Limbaugh did the explanation was in the Hannity interview…as he stated “if Obama’s policies lead us to socialism he wants them to fail.” Then the cabal of Carville/Greenberg/Stephanopolus went viral with the editted misquote.
By MaryQuiteContrary on 03/26/2009 12:58 pm
DeBrcaobj
"Limbaugh told his listeners that he was asked by “a major American print publication” to offer a 400-word statement explaining his “hope for the Obama presidency.” He responded:

So I’m thinking of replying to the guy, “Okay, I’ll send you a response, but I don’t need 400 words, I need four: I hope he fails.” (laughter) What are you laughing at? See, here’s the point. Everybody thinks it’s outrageous to say. Look, even my staff, “Oh, you can’t do that.” Why not? Why is it any different, what’s new, what is unfair about my saying I hope liberalism fails? Liberalism is our problem. Liberalism is what’s gotten us dangerously close to the precipice here. Why do I want more of it? I don’t care what the Drive-By story is. I would be honored if the Drive-By Media headlined me all day long: “Limbaugh: I Hope Obama Fails.” Somebody’s gotta say it."

By DeBrcaobj on 03/26/2009 1:15 pm
LibraLady
SJ…I watched it and he did admit it….and also the bashing of President Bush the day before 9-11 him and "bald head" did…..came from the horses mouth!!! 
By LibraLady on 03/26/2009 11:39 am
MaryQuiteContrary
Poor, poor Stanley Greenberg. Having his wife let Rahm Emmanuel live rent free in one their propertied, and it still doesn’t get him in the “First Tier” of daily phone calls. He has to wait (per his own words!!!) To have James Carville spread the talking points to him. And, his publisher makes go over to Fox and plug his book on Hannity. Poor fella.
By MaryQuiteContrary on 03/26/2009 11:42 am
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