Quoted: Michael Steele – “GOP Needs a Hip-Hop Makeover” | Racialicious

Quoted: Michael Steele – “GOP Needs a Hip-Hop Makeover”

Excerpted by Latoya Peterson

I thought the insanity would end after the election. But oh-no! I was wrong!

”There was underlying concerns we had become too regionalized and the party needed to reach beyond our comfort” zones, he said, citing defeats in such states as Virginia and North Carolina. “We need messengers to really capture that region – young, Hispanic, black, a cross section … We want to convey that the modern-day GOP looks like the conservative party that stands on principles. But we want to apply them to urban-surburban hip-hop settings.”

But, he elaborated with a laugh, “we need to uptick our image with everyone, including one-armed midgets.”

This is a direct quote, people.

“I am not afraid of being held accountable for my leadership,” [Steele] said. “The idea I am somehow going to handicap myself before I begin is nuts. I am not going to buy into this mind-set among a few people who probably have never run anything but their mouths.”

Under Mr. Steele’s helm, the “old” may seem inappropriate in the Grand Old Party’s affectionate nickname. He said he is putting a new public relations team into place to update the party’s image.

“It will be avant garde, technically,” he said. “It will come to table with things that will surprise everyone – off the hook.”

Does that mean cutting-edge?

“I don’t do ‘cutting-edge,’ “ he said. “That’s what Democrats are doing. We’re going beyond cutting-edge.”

Oh shit, I’m going to have to start reading the Washington Times now. This is comedy gold!

Actual comments from the Times site:

#
By: Jay666

I used to like this guy and even voted for him but he is an idiot. The race war doesn’t need anymore help getting started. When the upcoming generation who is getting royally shafted by this bogus “stimulus package” wakes up and realizes that the blacks have sold them into debtor’s prison to elect one of their own. People like Steele, Obama and the rest of the black politcians will be treated as the pariahs they are and their lives won’t be worth a dime. Obama and his tribe of sissies didn’t win the election, the white supremacists did. They predicted this debacle and the uprising that will ensue.
February 19, 2009 at 2:57 p.m. | Mark as Offensive

#
By: Cullen

I wish Mr. Steele the best in his attempt to bring the Conservative philosophy to the masses.

Maybe he should include a call to responsibility specifically to blacks and women: This is your country, too, guys. If you keep voting for the worst possible candidates you will end up with the worst possible place to live.

It’s one thing to bad-mouth Republicans, it’s another thing to go vote for a class of people (Democrats) who are 10 times worse.

If you can’t vote for somebody who is white or male, then you should grow up and get over your own racism/sexism.

If our country continues it’s downward path you will have nobody to blame but yourself…
February 19, 2009 at 12:52 p.m. | Mark as Offensive

#
By: NRAMBR89

Illegal immigrants are the problem. And that doing the jobs Americans don’t want to do is BS!!!!!!! I work Construction and my wages are held down by Illegal Immigrants because they will work for 20 bucks a day.
February 19, 2009 at 12:53 p.m. | Mark as Offensive

#
By: doug12342

Cullen wow are we a little racist maybe its you who has it all wrong ever consider that. I am sure talking down to the as you said “blacks and women” is going to make them vote republican. You neocons make me laugh your i am better than everyone else attitude is a big part of why your party is dieing.
February 19, 2009 at 12:57 p.m. | Mark as Offensive

#
By: Cullen

doug12342, When 97% of a particular race vote against a candidate because he is white it speaks for itself: racism. Do you deny this?

This is not a football game, this is our future.

Look at the following website. Check out the video at the bottom of the page. Note the people going to vote who couldn’t name key facts that everybody should know before walking in the booth.

http://www.howobamagotelected.com/

When certain groups of people are drawn to vote for the worst candidates it says more about those groups of people than it does the candidates.

It’s time for those groups of people to get in the game – it’s your country, too.
February 19, 2009 at 1:04 p.m. | Mark as Offensive

#
By: NRAMBR89

Stupid liberals need to stop analyzing the GOP. The problem with the GOP is it is just like the Democrats. It is not Conservative. Conservatism dose not need to be ‘Hip-hop’ It needs to be conservative. And you ignorant libs need to grow up and stop stereotyping conservatives. You don’t hear me saying all libs are over educated pampered sissies who don’t know what a hammer is do you?
February 19, 2009 at 12:17 p.m. | Mark as Offensive

Hat tip to the Rachel Maddow show. I was half asleep when I heard this. I thought I was dreaming. But no! Dead at Melissa Harris-Lacewell, who was on the show and said the GOP thought voters had “a Pavlovian response” to hip-hop music forcing us to salivate to the ballot box.

And I now dedicate the following to Michael Steele – best of luck to you!

(Lyrics to “Can I Get A…“)

(Photo Credit: The Washington Times)

Share and Enjoy:

Trackbacks & Pings

Michael Steele Talks A Good Game, But What Is Backing It Up? « The Gholston Post on 20 Feb 2009 at 9:44 am

[...] Racialicious: http://www.racialicious.com/2009/02/20/quoted-michael-steele-gop-needs-a-hip-hop-makeover/ [...]

Comments

atlasien wrote:

“Beyond cutting edge”… I bet he’s also thinking out of the box and taking ownership of a mission-critical initiative to pick the low-hanging fruit during perfect storm conditions.

And the base troglodytes just aren’t feeling it.

Posted 20 Feb 2009 at 8:09 am ¶
geo wrote:

very funny post, latoya.

repubs are having a rude awakening.

Posted 20 Feb 2009 at 10:09 am ¶
truthbetold wrote:

Latoya,

I agree with you that it’s an insipid attempt to grow the tent. But that’s because I’m a staunch Democrat. To be perfectly honest, it’s not as insane as it looks at first.

Republicans and rappers actually have a great deal in common.

Both groups view women as little more than fetile servents of their will.

Both live to acquire as many material possessions as their means allow.

Both have a disturbing habit of using words like ‘Nigger’ and ‘Faggot’ .

Heck, 50 cent spoke of how much he admired George W. Bush a few years back. Rememebr that?

I for one can’t wait to see the party of Lincoln (I guess, now, spelled Linkin’) embrace the hip hop asthetic.

The KING magazine cover with Condi Rice should go over like, um, gangbusters.

And in four years, when NY Congressman Curtis Jackson stands before the GOP faithful at their national convetion to announce he’ll ‘Get Rich or Die Trying’ to get the congress to pass his tax cut plan, we’ll all feel a little silly about doubting Steele.

Posted 20 Feb 2009 at 10:36 am ¶
AintIAWoman wrote:

FAIL FAIL FAIL
wow. I don’t even know what to say. I have a mix of horror and shock and hilarity on my face.
Beyond cutting edge? Hip hop settings? “even one armed midgets”?

also:
If you can’t vote for somebody who is white or male, then you should grow up and get over your own racism/sexism.

THAT’s a winner.

Posted 20 Feb 2009 at 10:48 am ¶
Lakergrrl wrote:

One armed midgets!?!! Please, please, let the Little People of America and the American Association of People with Disabilities slap him down about this. And the GOP already has Uncle Murda (ick) and Daddy Yankee (double ick) I don’t think they can handle anymore hip hop. Micheal Steele is the ultimate Giggle Time All-Mo!

Posted 20 Feb 2009 at 11:09 am ¶
A.D. Nix wrote:

@ atlasien
At least he’s being proactive and evaluating opportunity spaces to guarantee that best-practices ladder up to blue sky/brainstorm push back.

And what is beyond the cutting edge? If he’s trying to restart the razor wars, no thank you. 5 is already going too far.

This is worse than watching my Dad do the Running Man.

Oh, and those comments are predictably ass-y and backwards. But it’s always nice to check in with numbskulls and see what rhetorical cartwheels they’re busting out these days.

Posted 20 Feb 2009 at 11:27 am ¶
Cindi wrote:

I think it’s time to switch to the Constituion Party… omg – what is this country coming to?

I think it’s time for people to wake up and see what is happening around us. We are being taken over….

Posted 20 Feb 2009 at 11:31 am ¶
Jenn wrote:

One armed Midgets!? Wow, how insulting and dismissive. Little people and differently abled people are a legitimate constituency. By referring to them as a snarky joke, he marginalizes them, and completely undermines the message that he wants to genuinely support the interests of other marginalized minority communities. Not surprising of course, but very out of touch.

Posted 20 Feb 2009 at 11:32 am ¶
jetessence wrote:

You all were right when I compared Steele’s appointment as RNC chair as a “Sarah Palin” move. This guy is even more delusional than our favourite American Governor to the north. This is just one of many quotes from Steele that have left me rolling my eyes.

Posted 20 Feb 2009 at 12:06 pm ¶
CMyers wrote:

I have to agree with truthbetold. I mean Daddy Yankee was a staunch GOP supporter, but at the same it’s so fake it’s nauseating. You can’t approach people with business tactics anymore, politician or not. People loved that Obama was a community organizer because he put those skills to use. He asked people and then shut up and listened. Rather than attacking him for it, the GOP should hire his team!

Posted 20 Feb 2009 at 1:41 pm ¶
Monie wrote:

I just can’t get over the one armed midgets comment. WTF.

Posted 20 Feb 2009 at 3:01 pm ¶
Maureen wrote:

“We’re going beyond cutting-edge.”

So, like, right off the cliff?

Posted 20 Feb 2009 at 4:11 pm ¶
Jessica wrote:

Finally, I understand what GOP means.
Other than that, this entire piece on the GOP shows how dismissive they are. The GOP has lost it.

Posted 20 Feb 2009 at 4:45 pm ¶
embarcadero13 wrote:

As MLH said, I cannot WAIT to watch this unfold! We need some comedy right now, truly.

Say all you want about Dave Chappelle, but best believe that the”hip-hop GOP” depiction would be as poignant as his “2 Justice Systems” skit… which still makes me laugh to this day.

Posted 20 Feb 2009 at 4:53 pm ¶
Baiskeli wrote:

The Republican Party does not have an image problem, it has a real problem. Its the party that makes God, Guns and Gays the central issue along with a healthy dash of xenophobia and racism along with a general distate for science, knowledge etc. Throw in a healthy dose of jingoism, militarism and you have a royal mess.

I don’t know a lot about Michael Steele, but methinks based on this comments and his government never created a single job comment he is a bit of an idiot. As someone else has stated, he seems to be the male, black equivalent of Sarah Palin. But his biggest problem is that some of the pillars of the Republican party (hard core evangelicals, plain racists etc) are not going to get dragged into the 20th century, kicking and screaming or not. The problem is not how Americans view the Republican party, its WHAT the Republican party has become. I mean, for gods sake a possible RNC chair candidate (Chip Saltman) thought there was nothing wrong with sending out a very racist CD!

From my point of view, the Republicans sold their souls to the devil. They became the party of the whites against those pesky minorities/women/gays etc after 1964. As demographics change (regarding minorities) and attitudes change, its hard for the Republican party to change its stripes. They can no more change than one can change the foundation of a house without first tearing down the house.

Arguably One can hold some conservative values (fiscal, not social) and not be a bigot , but choosing the Republican party because you’re a fiscal conservative is like choosing to marry the devil because you both like warm weather.

IMHO, the selection of Michael Steele as RNC chair was a cynical move to get minorities. They don’t seem to get the fact that minorities didn’t vote for Obama in overwhelming numbers because he’s black, they voted in overwhelming numbers for him (almost the same numbers as for Bill Clinton) because as a Democrat and progressive he best represented their interests/opinions. The Republicans who are voting for a white candidate purely based on race just can’t fathom the fact that maybe, just maybe, blacks are not doing the same thing. Hence they elect Michael Steele as RNC and sit back and wait (and wait and wait and wait) for blacks to come flooding to the Republican party.

*If anyone who is Republican is on here, I apologize for my harshness but not for my words or opinions. After the whole McCain/Palin stupidity, the election, and the current grandstanding by GOP senators, along with the total mess the last 8 years along with the last couple of decades of so called conservative ideas have done to this country and the world, I don’t really feel the need to mince words.

Posted 20 Feb 2009 at 6:19 pm ¶
foshothoyo wrote:

tokens and shills, tokens and shills

model minorities up on the hill

puppets and proxies with promises grand

distract from the whites on whose shoulders they stand

they think they’re vanguard, the crop of the cream

while serving the nightmare instead of the dream

those ambitions crumble, brief pride does deflate

should they ignore the script, dare they deviate

from verbal contracts and dim deals over gin

once broken reveal in whose service they’ve been

Posted 20 Feb 2009 at 7:16 pm ¶
9jah wrote:

Hip hop is the most or one of the most popular music forms among youth, black or white, and was a dominant theme in the run up of the Kerry election when P. Diddy unveiled the “vote or die” slogan and Eminem recorded a song about voting. While many in the hip hop world were publicly neutral, the build up had a decidedly pro-democrat flavor.

Now, while one might suggest Steele is woefully misguided by employing outlandish tactics or perhaps foolish for playing to a very lousy stereotype (that you can get minorities by showcasing a hip hop veneer) the fact is given Kerry’s run in 2004, this is not all crazy talk. However, the easiest thing to do would be to deconstruct his idea by showing, for starters, that it failed misreably in 2004.

I am neither republican nor a Steele supporter so what’s my beef? The responses I have seen (in left leaning media) reveal a more insidious problem to me. Steele is being dismissed as a mindless fool/mentally immobile tool by many in the media in much the same why white republicans typically do with minorities. The same quoting tricks are being employed by the likes of CNN to cast him in the very familiar “jive talkin’” context. To wit, CNN was sure to highlight his use of “off the hook” etc. That is why response like truthbetold’s that so readily make associations such as Condi Rice and KING or condescending assumptions (Linkin’) are alarming and frankly as creepy as anything I would expect from a repub.

Posted 20 Feb 2009 at 7:17 pm ¶
9jah wrote:

@Baiskeli:

“They don’t seem to get the fact that minorities didn’t vote for Obama in overwhelming numbers because he’s black, they voted in overwhelming numbers for him (almost the same numbers as for Bill Clinton) because as a Democrat and progressive he best represented their interests/opinions.”

I think we democrats are working our own bit of bullish thinking and naivete. To be sure you are correct, but what you maybe should consider is that much like Obama would not have been elected president in 1960, Steele would not have been voted to be RNC chairman in 1990. The distaste for it would have been so strong it may not have mattered whether he was a puppet. At a minimum, the distaste has subsided or those with the distaste have less of a strangle hold.

Yes, Steele (as much as dems may hate it) is the face of (racial) progress too. And clearly given his recent comments he is on a rather long string if at all. The fact of the matter is that many minorities have the same (social) philosophy as conservatives and with increasing markers of progress the cognitive dissonance of aligning with those who hate will be rendered obsolete, at which point black repub numbers will surely increase. Dems need to at least know what fight they should be waging.

Posted 20 Feb 2009 at 7:32 pm ¶
Baiskeli wrote:

@9jah

Point taken, but I sort of disagree on one point. I doubt that Michael Steele would have been RNC head had Obama not won the election. Chip Saltman was the fore-runner until he pulled his ‘Barack the Magic Negro’ CD move and even then it took some time for him to drop out.

Lets not kid ourselves, there are a hell of a lot of Republicans who see Steele as a necessary evil. They want him to be a figurehead with no real power

The Republicans may like demonizing knowledge but there is one thing they pay attention to, statistics. As the population of minorities compared to whites increase they are fighting for a larger share of a shrinking part of the pie. Add the fact that a lot of whites are turning their backs to their race-baiting, others have turned away due to their abysmal incompetency and they have a problem.

Their problem is that a part of their core constituency is not down with this new direction of theirs, whether it is superficial or not is irrelevant. I’d say that true fiscal conservatives, are better off trying to form their own party than trying to revamp a totally broken Republican party.

I’m actually far left of the Democratic party and I don’t consider Obama liberal enough for me (i.e his stance on Gay marriage pisses me off as does his FISA back-pedaling). But he is smart, knowledgeable and generally has his heart in the right place. So I consider myself a Democrat because I don’t see any alternatives out there.

But I wish this country would move beyond 2 parties. The Democratic party of today has moved very far rightwards since the late 70’s.

I’d love to see a truly progressive political party that has a viable chance. I want the war on drugs ended, I want us to stop jailing so many people, I want a true national health care, I want a sane foreign policy,I want social spending to increase, I want a true separation of church and state.

Posted 20 Feb 2009 at 8:55 pm ¶
Jessica wrote:

@ foshothoyo

where did u find those lyrics? OR did you just create them on the spot!!!
That was spot on !!!

Posted 21 Feb 2009 at 9:17 pm ¶
foshothoyo wrote:

off the tip of my brain…that’s just how i do

Posted 22 Feb 2009 at 1:09 am ¶
Danielle wrote:

so I guess “beyond cutting-edge” means making jokes about little people and the disabled. I hate to break it to ya’ kiddo but there is nothing “cutting edge” about it. It IS however, beyond pathetic.

Posted 22 Feb 2009 at 1:00 pm ¶
elle wrote:

man, foshothoyo, that shit was dope, I wish I could rhyme like that!

Posted 22 Feb 2009 at 7:50 pm ¶
gatamala wrote:

Arguably One can hold some conservative values (fiscal, not social) and not be a bigot , but choosing the Republican party because you’re a fiscal conservative is like choosing to marry the devil because you both like warm weather.

Can I quote you on that?

Please, please send this to Steele.

Posted 23 Feb 2009 at 1:14 pm ¶
Baiskeli wrote:

@gatamala

Thanks. Feel free to use

Posted 23 Feb 2009 at 3:11 pm ¶
Winn wrote:

I normally don’t do this because it adds little substantive to the discussion, but I just have to say that the responses so far, from the snarky and funny (atlasien, A.D. Nix), the ridiculously creative (foshothoyo…*bowing head*), and the analytical and probing (Baiskeli, 9jah) remind me why I keep coming back to Racialicious. Despite the occasional troll, derailment, or commenters who have to get sent to the cornfield for just not getting it, I still think some of the savviest, most thoughtful and most passionate thinkers regularly contribute to this blog, and keep me coming back for more. After the recent scolding LaToya has had to do for those of us insistent on forgetting the comment moderation policy, I as a reader just felt a little hat tip was in order for some of the good stuff. Okay, tangential Racialicious commenter praise-a-thon now over.

Posted 23 Feb 2009 at 4:59 pm ¶
Spinster wrote:

Yeah, that was ridiculous; saw it on Rachel Maddow and laughed. Does this fool not know that by doing this, he’s playing into the very stereotypes that persist and pervade about us?

Jackass.

Posted 28 Feb 2009 at 7:10 pm ¶