During his acceptance speech, newly elected Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele asked: “How ya like me now?” If Steele is asking black folks, it’s not much. You can put a black face on the GOP but it’s still the GOP.
My colleague Michael Fauntroy wrote:
Michael Steele’s ascension to the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee is a tremendous step forward for a party seeking to avoid slipping into the political abyss of its own creation. The symbolism of Steele’s win is undeniable -- a party whose late 20th century rise to dominance was largely fueled by demonization of African Americans is now led by a Black man. It’s difficult to underestimate the symbolism of Steele’s election as chairman. It’s also difficult to see what difference it will make in the fortunes of the party. For all the talk about this election, and it’s hard to remember the last time a party chairman’s race has been so closely followed, the reality is that Steele’s win really doesn’t mean much.
Fauntroy continued:
Steele’s win doesn’t mean that the Republican Party is any closer to serious competition with the Democrats for the votes of African Americans. The single digit performances of the GOP in two of the last three presidential elections are emblematic of a party that has more than just marketing problems. The Republican Party, overtaken by narrowly focused special interest groups, is now officially out of the business of mainstream thinking and Steele’s ascension, while historic, is unlikely to bring about the change needed to make the GOP relevant going forward.
I’ve known Steele since he was more like Clark Kent than the GOP’s hope for the future. I LOL when I read he is “a Republican who happens to be African-American.”
Sure, but stuff happens. Stay tuned.
