The Man of Steele vs. The GOP

It's time to Break It Down!

William Learned Marcy, U.S. Senator from New York is credited with having coined the phrase, “To the victor go the spoils.” This concept characterized the political patronage system that was emerging at that time, courtesy of Andrew Jackson, who campaigned against, and defeated then President John Quincy Adams to become the nation’s 7th President.

There has been a great deal of discussion about the “shellacking,” as President Obama called it, administered to the Democrats and the President, and rightfully so. As has been noted far and wide, it was a victory (or depending upon where you stand, a defeat) of historic proportions. But in the spirit of Senator Marcy, I would like to take a moment to see what the victors are up to. That is, aside from dividing all the loot from their monstrous win of course.

After checking the broad strokes of the GOP…which I suppose is about as much as one can be privy to without being an avowed card-carrying member, I gleaned that there is a movement afoot to divest the current RNC Chairman of his position. Perhaps the powers that be concluded, in President Obama’s metaphor about Republicans driving the car in the ditch, Michael Steele was behind the wheel. Hmm, better remedy that lickety-split.

If there is anyone who has, in the last two years, been allocated more blame for the faux pas or less credit for the accomplishments of his Party than President Obama, it is Michael Steele. If you follow these posts, you know I have written extensively about the clear, significant, and numerous achievements of President Obama’s policy and legislative initiatives. At the same time, I have cited a number of instances in which Mr. Steele has run afoul of the GOP “TIP” (Thought & Ideology Police).

However, as I suggested in last week's post, let us step back, reflect and reset. Despite having been under sporadic, and from some sources, constant attack, by his critics, there is no denying Mr. Steele’s vision and leadership has instrumental in catapulting Republicans from a deficit position in House, Senate, and State House (Governorships) seats to numerical advantages in the House (significant) and State Houses (commanding), and a near draw in the Senate. Indeed, the number seats added in the House of Representatives has been deemed historic, and with 35 Governorships, the GOP is in the catbird seat as Congress prepares for legislative redistricting.

The various Snafus, notwithstanding, the issue most frequently cited as Mr. Steele’s crowning egregious shortcoming is his strategic decision to construct a grassroots funding apparatus that targeted virtually all states; much like Howard Dean did for the Democrats in 2008, rather than target traditional "big donors." Although, Mr. Dean’s idea proved to be a master stroke for his Party, he did catch a good deal of flak for it from Party regulars…before success was evident. Oddly, or interestingly, depending upon your perspective, Mr. Steele is catching flak, even after the fact his Party was able to turn out voters in record numbers, all over the country.

I have no axe to grind, and really no desired outcome, as it relates to “The Man of Steele vs. The GOP!” In passing, it is worth noting that, as was the case with Mr. Obama, given what they had to work with; one could argue both have been wildly successful over the past two years. Of course, success, like beauty, often lies in the eyes of the beholder.

The nation considered Election 2010 a plebiscite on President Obama’s leadership. Based upon the results, it is clear the electorate gave him a failing grade at mid term. Laboring, as we are, under the weight of a 9.6% unemployment rate that virtually everyone agrees is really even higher, the President’s F is understandable, even if it is not fair, which is debatable. Alternately, it seems to me, flunking Mr. Steele at this point must be based on somewhat less objective criteria.

Without a doubt, there are different ways to view both of these cases. Eyes of the beholder and all; I am sure those of you who read this will be more than happy to weigh-in and let me know where I dropped the “logic ball.” Be my guest. Meanwhile, I’m done; holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com/. A new post is published each Wednesday. For more detailed information on a variety of aspects relating to this post, consult the links below:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/09/steele-lashes-out-at-gop-critics-defends-record/

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/10/us/politics/10repubs.html?src=twrhp

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20101109/pl_yblog_upshot/michael-steele-slams-gop-critics-of-his-rnc-tenure

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101023/ap_on_el_ge/us_republican_chairman

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/09/rncs-steele-takes-victory_n_781199.html

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/republican-party/michael-steele.html

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/127465-steele-touts-rnc-efforts-but-says-wave-was-team-effort

http://thepage.time.com/2010/11/05/steele-vs-the-establishment-2/

http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2010/11/08/131169790/rnc-s-michael-steele-takes-victory-lap?ft=1&f=1014&sc=tw

http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheat-sheet/item/republicans-plot-to-ditch-steele/makeover/