Mr. Steele Needs New Advisors

I have a great deal of respect and admiration for Michael Steele, the GOP Party Chairman. His recent pronouncements that it is unlikely that the Republicans will pick up enough seats to gain control of the US House of Representatives, is mind boggling. Mr. Steele is a smart man. Could it be that he is just gaming the media? It would not surprise me. Grab headlines in the dead tree media, on the toob, and over the digital media space with a view that runs counter to the conventional wisdom. Play the expectations game. Fire up the Republican base counting on them to prove him wrong. Very interesting strateegery.


More likely, he has a staff of Potomac politicos that don’t wander too far from the beltway. Out here in the heartland, the people are greatly upset with the politicians in Washington, D.C. Both the Democrat and Republican brands are deeply tarnished. Should congress continue to ignore the wishes of the people there will be electoral revolutions at the ballot box come November 2, 2010.


Mr. Steele needs to fire his current crop of political advisors, as this is not the first time they have gotten the GOP in hot water through their silly advice. Remember the “litmus test” trial balloon that was floated over the summer? They promptly removed from discussion. There were ten points which I list below, annotated of course.

(1) We support smaller government, smaller national debt, lower deficits and lower taxes by opposing bills like Obama's "stimulus" bill;

Yes. I recall during the Reagan area, former Congressman Manuel Lujan, Jr. (R-1st-NM) running ads in which he stated, “We need to move to a smaller, leaner government.” This is a very good thing.

(2) We support market-based health care reform and oppose Obama-style government run health care;

Yes. Free Market competition will produce lower costs.

(2) We support market-based energy reforms by opposing cap and trade legislation;

YES. Incorporate the “Pickens Plan” into any energy plan.

(4) We support workers' right to secret ballot by opposing card check;

YES. Why give the Big Unions more political power and the opportunity for retribution to those who do not support them.

(5) We support legal immigration and assimilation into American society by opposing amnesty for illegal immigrants;

A qualified NO. Protect our borders. Revise current immigration “quota’s”. Reform the visa granting process. Provide a process by which those already in the country can obtain citizenship. The Fed’s lax policy has led to the illegal problem and they need to be held accountable for it. Federal Prisons for those convicted of crimes.

(6) We support victory in Iraq and Afghanistan by supporting military-recommended troop surges;

YES. With a change in overall strategy. No more “Nation Building”. Like the Israeli Mosad, hunt down the terrorists and give them a dirt bath.

(7) We support containment of Iran and North Korea, particularly effective action to eliminate their nuclear weapons threat;

YES. If we fail to achieve results with respect to Iran, Israel will act. We must engage fully with China to get Korea to back down.

(8) We support retention of the Defense of Marriage Act;

YES.

(9) We support protecting the lives of vulnerable persons by opposing health care rationing and denial of health care and government funding of abortion; and

YES. Without Life there is no future!

(10) We support the right to keep and bear arms by opposing government restrictions on gun ownership.

YES. Furthermore, we need conceal / carry in Illinois.

While a litmus test sounds appealing, all it produces is a bunch of clones. A more diversity of opinion generally produces great ideas that can move the country forward.


Mr. Steele needs to spend less time along the frozen Potomac with his political consultant friends. He needs to venture into the heartland and really see what is on people’s minds. He could then see that it is possible that the Republicans could pick up 47 seats during this years midterm election. This would give the GOP control of the house (225 seats) and the Democrats will once again be in the minority (208 seats).