Steele Curtain

Michael Steele is having a great first month. Aside from creating an "off the hook" party message to appeal to the hip-hop generation, and aside from cooperating with the FBI, his latest public appearances have gotten him in trouble with people he must have figured weren't listening.

First, Steele answered a question on civil unions from right-wing loon Mike Gallagher this way:

GALLAGHER: Is this a time when Republicans ought to consider some sort of alternative to redefining marriage and maybe in the road, down the road to civil unions. Do you favor civil unions?

STEELE: No, no no. What would we do that for? What are you, crazy? No. Why would we backslide on a core, founding value of this country? I mean this isn’t something that you just kind of like, “Oh well, today I feel, you know, loosey-goosey on marriage.” […]

GALLAGHER: So no room even for a conversation about civil unions in your mind?

STEELE: What’s the difference?

Weeks before, Steele said he would reach out to gay people and woo them to the Republican Party. I guess through telling them they are second-class citizens. I mean, even George W. Bush supported civil unions.

Then, on Fox News, Steele signaled his support for primary challenges and blocking campaign funds for the three GOP Senators who supported the stimulus package. Unaware that those GOP Senators might actually hear him, he got an earful from them and their allies. He has since backtracked, but only when he's not talking to a member of the conservative establishment, when he intimates all over again.

Steele must think that any interview he gives is only a conversation between him and a host, that nobody else can hear. He must think it's a pre-broadcasting era.

I seem to remember that it was Howard Dean who was going to provide journalists with endless copy for his vituperative comments and slips of the tongue. Haven't seen that article about Steele. Hm.