Our view
Michael Steele gave a much anticipated speech Tuesday afternoon in which he was expected to reboot his chairmanship of the Republican National Committee, and perhaps the party itself.
He promised that "the era of apology for Republican mistakes of the past is officially over," declared that "we're going to take the president head-on" and boasted that the Republican comeback is already under way.
But, speaking to state GOP chairmen in Prince George's County, he failed to reach beyond tired party platitudes to any sort of actual road map for Republicans.
He pledged that the GOP would, once again, be the party of ideas, but he failed to mention any. He said the times are grave - "This is serious; families are suffering and businesses are closing" - and argued that President Obama was making them worse. What the Republicans would do instead, he didn't say. Steele criticized Obama as partisan and then promised that "the two-party system is making a comeback"- implying what? That partisanship is OK as long as it's your partisans doing it?
Contrast that speech with the one California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger gave on the White House lawn at a news conference announcing that Obama, cooperating with Schwarzenegger, auto industry executives and others, had finally secured a compromise on raising auto emissions standards. Schwarzenegger praised Obama for working with him to secure what has long been a top priority for his constituents. Which Republican offers voters real leadership?
Andrew A. Green
Readers respond
The last question asked should have been, "which Republican is pandering to his Democratic president to get money for his state?"
I agree that Steele needs to lay out a specific agenda, but where was the agenda during Obama's campaign? Change, right? No specifics. Steele is trying to ramp up energy for the GOP, and he will bring it back.
I have always considered myself an independent, but the media and its perpetual glorification of the Democratic agenda has forced the rebellious side of me to lean to the right. I believe a lot of Americans are going to feel the same in two years.
Mark
Although registered to vote as a Republican, I have not considered myself as one for a long while. The GOP claims conservatives have abandoned the party, but the opposite is closer to the truth. They have disregarded conservative principles and now behave as Democrats.
