Steele Gets Funky For The RNC
by John Ridley
Freshly minted Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele gave an interview to the Washington Times in which he detailed his plans for making the GOP relevant again. Says Steele:
We need messengers to really capture that region – young, Hispanic, black, a cross section … We want to convey that the modern-day GOP looks like the conservative party that stands on principles. But we want to apply them to urban-suburban hip-hop settings.
Hip-hop. Really? That’s Chairman Steele’s reductive take on people of color? That unless “principles” are framed in rhyme and break beats we will have no interest in them?
Steele’s view seems oddly contrary to those people of color who are in fact ascending (or have ascended) in politics. Barack Obama’s resonance with the populace was hardly based on any hip-hop cred. The same could be said for Deval Patrick and Harold Ford, Jr. They campaigned on issues, rather than disguising a dearth of ideas with faux “urban-suburban” hipness.
Yet Steele’s entire interview with the Times is laced with an odd argot. His new PR campaign is going to be “off the hook.” Steele “don’t do ‘cutting-edge.’” He does “beyond cutting-edge.” His critics can “stuff it”…ya dig? Rather than a politician with fresh ideas, he sounds more like somebody’s uncle trying to be hip while playing some black-top hoops with 16 year olds.
Chairman Steele would do well to take a page from the play book of George W. Bush. Bush, amazingly, was able to increase his share of the black vote from about 8 percent in 2000 to 11 percent in 2004. Although slight, this uptick was driven by Bush’s flogging of issues of faith. Unfortunately, the primary “issue of faith” was a Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. While I don’t advocate the demonization of one group to get votes from another, blacks do form a disproportionately large block of voters who regularly attend church. It would be more correct and probably more effective for Steele to recruit potential GOPers from the pews than by going “beyond cutting edge.”
Whatever that may be.
Email this to a friend | Print |
Share on Facebook
| Tweet this
| 
Follow Us on Twitter
Subscribe via RSS
Got a Tip?
230 Comments
I can see Mr. Ridley is consistent…consistently delusional and blinded by and malice. Good luck.
I can't speak much to the effects of "hipness" on blacks or any other minority groups in terms of politics, but I do have to draw the line here:
While I don’t advocate the demonization of one group…
Mr. Ridley, how can you possibly expect anyone here to take you seriously when you use terminology like "demonization" to describe the opposition to gay marriage?
I was and am dismayed by Mr. Steele’s selection to the RNC post. It would appear that the movers and shakers in the party have yet to learn anything about ideas and actions to reunite the crumbling edifice which once was the Republican Party. Mr. Steele is “Democrat Light.” They chose profile over substance. Lest anyone begin to question my reasoning; my choice for chairman was J.Kenneth Blackwell – a true conservative.
as a supporter of Michael Steele I do agree with your statement, "he sounds more like somebody’s uncle trying to be hip." I had notice that speak myself in his interviews and while I can appreciate some hipness in a 50 yr old he is over doing it. I do think you are a bit touchy in your statement, " That unless “principles” are framed in rhyme and break beats we will have no interest in them". Michael himself is not of that world but far too many young of color white, black and brown are. We might just need that kind of touch for that group of young folks. I am sure Michael did not mean all of that group of color.
Thanks.
Why is Ridley here again? When will he write something that makes sense?
Mr Ridley, I think you're a fine writer. I make it a point of reading anything of yours I can find, and even assigned one of your Esquire articles during a college course in rhetoric.
But.
Cherry-picking one of Steele's speeches to disparage him for "not running on the issues" is a disappointing mistake on your part. It tells me you haven't bothered to follow the man's career. Just sounds like you're condemning him for being a dork.
So Obama's the one, "ran on the issues"? Sorry. "Hope and change" = only an issue to a voter thinking with their heart. Or lower.
I dont think theres anything wrong in changing how the GOP markets its message. If Steeles experience is like mine when I ve spoken to Blacks about why they vote Democrat he knows that support for Democrats is a mile wide and an inch deep, and more often than not its based completely on style. Theres no real reason why a person of color would vote Democrat since that party has done more to hurt the plight of black people than one could imagine.
Prior to LBJ's War on Poverty their was virtually no metric of social or economic success that wasnt closer or more hopeful than it is today. Authors like Thomas Sowell have detailed how in its zeal to right wrongs in the black community the Democrats singlehandedly create an almost permanent underclass (being brought back by Obamas Stimulus now), made black men extraneous in their own communities, encouraged single motherhood (and all its attendant social problems) and fed and cultivated a pervasive sentiment that Whitey is trying to keep them down and the only Whites who shold be trusted are the ones coming with checks.
So, Mr. Ridley, when you say "uncle" do you really mean to call Mr. Steele an "Uncle Tom"?
Its really no surprise Blacks would automatically flock to Obama, (look at how Catholics viewed the first Catholic President JFK) but in the real world not tainted by 50 years of Democratic "compassion" many of them would have seen through the flowery but empty rhetoric and known Obama promises a return to failed social policy and is hopelessly out of his depth on economic and international issues.
Ive read Mr Ridleys posts here and he strikes me as a complete creation of the Democrat party. He beleives that compassion consists of throwing guilt money at blacks and questioning it feeds into his heartfelt belief that conservatives are racist. He believes Whitey hates him because thats what is in his heart for Whites. You can ask Ridley or anyone for that matter exactly what Obama is doing which is going to solve the problems of this country and they will repeat back the same vile anti Republican tripe all liberals do but completely gloss over how theyre going to fix anything.
I'm still waiting for something Conservative or Hollywood based from Mr. Ridley…____So Mr. Ridley, if you don't like Republicans, and the Obama is so peachy, why are you writing here? Surely there are better blogs where your message would be appreciated and better received?
Yes, by all means, let's follow his career. The multiple electoral defeats, the weird and moderately suspicious business deals. Steele's skin was the right color for the job, it's true. But I'm not sure you want to make too much of the guy's resume.
Wow! Why don't you just pelt him with Oreos while you are at it Harley, I am sure your fellow liberals would approve.
Of course he does. Anyone who is black that isn't a Democrat is considered one, like Herman Cain, Larry Elder and Thomas Sowell. You know, actually wanting people of your same race to work towards being able to rely on themselves instead of the government means you hate your own race.
I guess that means I'm a Tió Tomás.
Actually look at some of the prime buyers of hip-hop in the "suburban" areas. They are white, so I think this post is off base a bit…as well as LtGov Steele's point. I think he really meant the GOP has to appear "more hip" to cater to younger voters and expand the base.
" Steele's skin was the right color for the job…"
You sound like an Oreo-chucker.
"Barack Obama’s resonance with the populace was hardly based on any hip-hop cred."
What a Lie.
Open and vocal supporters of President Hopey: Ludacris, Jay Z, Young Jeezy, John Legend, Mary J Blige, Puff Doody, Kanye West, Mos Def, Common, Russell Simmons.
Yes, I did see that coming. First, I get it. Black is the new black. But Ken Blackwell from Ohio would have been a better choice if that's what the party wanted. Steele has lost just about every election he tried to win, including a senate race in '06 where did everything possible to pretend that he WASN'T a Republican (an odd resume item for someone holding his current gig). He didn't even get out of the primaries in the election before that. This has nothing to do with Oreos — get your slurs straight, DefCon and learn to apply them accurately — it has to do with a record of, well, something less than success.
As stated above, my point is that he's been a failure. This has nothing to do with being Black on the outside and white on the inside. In fact, as Ridley points out, Steele is determined to bring a little hip-hop into the GOP's shrinking tent. Which should be entertaining.
That kind of thinking makes this post seem like the uneducated freaks at the Huffington Post. The crazy lefties are the ones that can't accept an opposing opinion…let's not sink to their level.
Also saw this coming. Let's say this much about Obama. Defeating Hillary Clinton in the primary and then John McCain in the general stands as one of the most impressive political achievements in the last fifty years. Full stop. This is now, like it or not, part of his 'experience'.
And yes, it means nothing if he doesn't govern with similar success in the next four years.
Well! My! Name is Michael and I'm here to say
That being a Republican is A-OK!
But seriously, folks. Speaking of reductive takes on people of color, where does it say they all have to be Democrats?
It is a fair question, is this not a conservative/Hollywood site? Mr. Ridley has gotten on and bashed republicans, and praised the wonders of Obama. So why is he here? Are you trying to tell me he is a CONSERVATIVE that likes Obama? If so WHY NOT WRITE WHERE THAT THINKING IS MORE APPRECIATED? This post has nothing to do with conservative thought or Hollywood. He is not a poster, he is a featured author. He doesn't present any type of solution, just criticism. So why post here, if I want to hear this type of thinking I can read a newspaper or turn on the tube. It is not value added for the site.
Hit the nail on the head M Colins. The Democrat way of helping the poor is to have them spoon fed from the government. You should check out Larry Elder's letter to Maxine Waters. Now there is somone that actually wants to cure the disease rather than treat (or subsidize) the symptoms. http://www.larryelder.com/showpostings/maxinewate...
The same disease lies in the Latino Communuity, just because Jackie Kennedy did a commercial in Spanish. Ever since then Latinos have loved their democrats, but I have no idea as to why. People are just bred to hate Republicans and love Democrats, but aren't ever given an explanation.
Additionally, I would add that the backhanded insult you've given me is pretty rich considering you're talking about "sinking to their level". I've been polite and asked legitamite questions, I suppose I am not suppose to ask why Mr. Ridley is here; since he is, and has been, out of tune with all of the other featured authors on this site.
Funny, I thought he was quite successful as my Lt. Govenor. So much so I voted for the man when he wanted to be my Senator. So who did he lose to? Ben "Present" Cardin, the party schill, after all of the Black Preachers were out screaming "Your skinfolk ain't your kinfolk." I suppose that's what you call a persuasive political arguement.
Hillary is one of the most polarizing figures in politics. People either love her or hate her. The DNC knew Hopey had more appeal, so that's why they went with him. McCain is viewed as a liberal dinosaur by his own party, so he had little support within the party and the rest of the electorate was fed up with Republicans. Plus Hopey also had every talking head that isn't on Fox News in his corner. All Hopey had to do was walk through the door. Only a Democrat like John Kerry could have lost this last election. If that is one of the most impressive acheivements in the last 50 years, then you are easily amused.
Does anyone wonder if Obama would have won without ACORN? Defeating Hillary was a given; her black voters simply defected to Obama. Given the opportunity to have a black president was just too hip to pass up by the Hollywood crowd and non-thinking liberals. You can bet when the liberals, such as Ridley, start in with their negative attacks on the conservatives, they're, in truth, fearful of the success of that person, in this case, Michael Steele. One thing this campaign and election has shown us is who the real racists are.
This is truly discouraging. I wrote about this, in another context, on my blog recently about hip-hop hip voters and politics of hip.
Yes many voters are voting on the basis of hipness, but you can't be hip artificially, and that isn't the answer anyway. Obama is only hip compared to most other politicians. Republicans can never be hip almost by definition, because the left DEFINES hip and usually it is absolutely devoid of anything conservative, which is of course why it is hip.
Think of Democrats as the insecure "cool" kids in High School and you get the picture. There is no objective standard and as soon as your parents cop your lingo it immediately becomes uncool. The perennial problem of youth. I agree with John Ridley, in my own words, Steele is like the parent thinking he can relate to kids by using their slang. It's repulsive.
After 4 years of casual behavior in the White House Americans will be looking for responsibility not hipness.
Establishment Republicans are clueless and grasping at straws. There is a conservative/libertarian/populist movement brewing and they are ignoring it.
So Harley how many years was Steele your public servant when you lived in Maryland? I mean you must have lived in Maryland when he was Lt. Govenor or a Representative, since you know how well he has done, right?
Yes it is a fair question, but I've found in my own experience that conservatives are more open minded. Just saying that any conservative outlet shouldn't be a closed door to opposing views. If you are confident that you conservative ideas are superior to liberal ones, then tearing apart the rants from Ridley's feeble little mind should be a piece of cake.
And speaking of Obama's resonance with the populace that was hardly based on any hip-hop cred:
Ludacris – Obama Is Here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL-oUX2rCqc
I HATE identity politics and the politics of identity; they executed a dream which was never allowed to come to life.
The Dream failed; most have forgotten MLK because they are all focused on color, race, creed, gender and sex to even imagine content of character.
Go ahead demonize me for seeing past the collective wasteland of empty platitudes.
I. Don't. Care. Anymore.
They are ignoring it. I'm not a Ron Paul fanatic, but I like some of his ideas. Had the GOP at least offered an olive branch to his followers instead of pandering to the moderates, thay might have actually had a chance. Instead of making him the black sheep of the party, they may have had some success in finding some common ground with him.
Let's face it, political affiliation is the new designator of race. To the oreo chuckers like John Ridley, Harley and others Michael Steele is a race traitor, I.E. he is white because he is member of the republican party. If a 50 year old black liberal democrat said something like this, said chuckers would be giving kudos to Mr. Steele for being the cool uncle. When Michael Jackson wanted to be white during the late 80's early 90's all he would have had to do is say he was a conservative. Presto! now he's white. Harley and others need to keep blacks in their place in order to hold on to their precious majority. They can't have blacks looking beyond skin color because that would threaten the power of people like Mr. Ridley and Harley who only see skin color and their ability to shout Racist at the top of their lungs to shout down political opponents.
I'm only saying that none of this is fresh, or original. It has a regurgitated feel to it all. Plus that the mission statement of the site is Conservativisim and/or Hollywood, Mr. Ridley seems out of tune with the other writers on this site. Thus begging the question, why are you writing here? If he was invited to do so by Andrew Breitbart, fine. In which case my question would be; Why are you so high on Obama? Because as you said L4L, his rants will be torn apart, and he will be the strawman for many an argument here. Which doesn't serve his message at all does it?
Hey! We're all cowards when it comes to discussions of race. I know this for a fact because the courageous new Attorney General Eric Holder told me it is so.
Steele's heart is in the right place, even as his statements often come off as stand-up comedy.
Dang! You beat me to it.
(shuffles feet while standing) "Hi, I'm Phil and I'm a coward."
(group, all white of course) "HI, PHIL!"
RAAAAAACIST coward!
Good points. If Michael Jackson wanted to be white… that is funny!
I think Mr. Ridley is right. Republicans will have a great success recrutting GoPers from black church, of let's say, Rev. Jeremiah Wrigth.
TO Latino4Liberty, we have something in common, my father was South American. I was born there as well and came to the US at an early age. My dads hero was Ronald Reagan. I personally was very liberal after college put it only took a few years afterwards to see the false promises and faulty assumptions of liberalism.
At my day job there are a couple of Mexican-American kids who really work hard and are trying to move up in the company. Instead of having a chip on their shoulders , complaining about "the man" they just get it done.
Of course the other Mexican-Americans give them crap for trying to be white.
It's sad.
They don't have to go anywhere near Ron Paul (which they won't) to acknowledge some libertarian populist ideas. Paul does however point to the flaw in today's Republicans especially the establishment ones. They are bought and paid for by the corporate Statists. That is, they can't be populist because the corporate interests are for cheap labor (open borders, H1 visas) and these corporate entities will thrive in our new fascist/socialist state anyway. They (the corporations) don't have any allegiance either.
The moderates are inadvertently helping our country to drift leftward. They keep allowing the left to define them giving ground. Then the left moves further left and demonizes them again, shifting the whole debate leftward. For example. It used to be that the left wanted civil unions for gays and Republicans were against that – this was only 10 years ago. Now if you aren't flat out for gay marriage you are a homophobe and a bigot. Were the Democrats who were advocating civil unions 10 years ago bigots? The whole debate keeps shifting and moderate R's are happy to go along as long as they can hold on to their personal power
I think John has made some valuable points here. Especially the one about the uncle trying to appear hip. While we might not want to hear it, we need to listen to it, because it is what the other side thinks about us.
Chairman Steele didn't win every election he ran in? So what? That's politics, win some lose some. He was however very good at the jobs he did hold. And he'll do a good job as chairman. So he sprinkles his rhetoric with a few hip-hop phrases, big deal. Is that any different from PBO fist bumping w/ the FL? If I had a vote it would have been for Ken Blackwell, and not because of his melanin level. I lived in Lebanon, OH for a long time and saw Blackwell's work as mayor of Cincy, and Ohio Sec. of State. He's an excellent executive and will hopefully be back on the scene soon. Senator from Ohio, I hope. Chairman Steele is going to do a great job at RNC. The RNC has nowhere to go but up, and to use a military term, Chairman Steele will be the tip of the spear.
The truth is the Democrats can only get people to the polls in great numbers in Presidential election years. The Georgia Senate run-off is a perfect example. The Republican won because not enough Democrats bothered to come back to the polls even in a very important race for control of the Senate. It is the same in off-election years too. That is why Democrats are afraid of a run-off in Minnesota. Yes, I know Minnesota does not allow for run-off elections. But apparently it does allow for endless re-counts.
Was that really necessary? Do we want to act like a bunch of Al Sharptons over here? I thought we were above that kind of stuff.
I think he meant an Uncle. We all remember that Uncle from when we were kids, the one who used terms like "Groovy" and talked about having the "Munchies" because he thought it just meant "Hungry." (Unfortunately, now I think I AM that uncle.)
OOOOooh snap! Good on ya Latino4Liberty!
Steele was Lt. Governor, yes. But as part of a ticket, with Bob Erlich at the top, running for, and winning, the governor's office. He has never won statewide office on his own. So yes, I know how he's done. Thanks.
"the weird and moderately suspicious business deals."
You're kdding, right? "Rezko/Ayers/Blago/Chicago"…Steele's got nothin' on Barry for that.
I'd suggest anyone who thinks I'll waste time debating much of anything with someone who refers to the Prez as "Hopey" is moderately deluded. So there's that.
Can someone please explain to me how emphasizing difference makes people more tolerant? What happened to judging a person by their character?
Okay. On the plus side, Steele's a great public speaker, and he'll rally the troops as well as anyone. That's certainly part of the job. His previous campaigns don't suggest he's much of a strategic thinker, but running as Repub in Maryland ain't easy — which, I suppose, is why he left his party affiliation off his campaign ads in 2006 — so there's that. As I've already said once, Blackwell might have been a better choice. But we''ll see. And let's also remember this started with Wankette's complaint about 'following his career.' I'll stick with my original point. His career thus far has been fairly unremarkable.
The "other side" isn't changing and for the most part, neither am I.
If the GOP can't get the Hip-Hop or inner city vote, it is doing fine, just fine in my book.
I agree that Steele's attempt was pretty sorry, but for years the GOP has been criticized for not even trying.
touche!
Funny, I was liberal UNTIL I went to college. Taking classes on things like economics and finance made me see how backwards the liberal approach to economic policy is.
It is sad, and I used to be the same way. I remember as a kid I asked my mom why she "talked White" because she used proper English. Man was I dumb!
I also used to have that same chip on my shoulder in high school because I was the only Mexican at a Catholic military academy. In college I figured out that the only boundaries I had were the ones I put up myself.
It's much more than the hip hop inner city vote. It's the MTV vote as well. And the artist vote. It's what Big Hollywood is out to do, trying to make conservatism cool; or at least find a sight line, from where it appears that way.
well, you rap better than Joaquin Phoenix, but that's not saying much.
That's what Ridley was saying. That now we're trying too hard. And it's obvious.
If Ridley knew anything about public relations and marketing, he'd see past his Mike Steele scorn and see this is a brilliant idea. The GOP needs something novel to jumpstart it once again. This is us attempting to reach out to people, educate them about the true pitfalls of big government, and to make our tent bigger. It's not about black and white anymore. Hip-hoppers or country-boys. It's one nation under God, Ridley, got that? Stop your racially-divisive tactics.
What's funny is that there are just as many on the Left that are against gay marriage. And you are correct about the whole debate moving to the left. I couldn't care less if two gay people want to get married, but can we please stop having the in-your-face-pride parades? I think that's a fair comprimise?
Valid point. Perhaps just trying to break the stereotype of being the party of uppity rich white males is where he should start rather than focus on one segment of the community. I've notced Fox News is trying to be a little racier lately. Their anchors really let loose when they appear on Red Eye, and did anyone see Gilbert Godfried on Hannity? I thought I was watching FX for a minute.
That may be but again, Steele can't or shouldn't be what he isn't. Me either. I have seen MTV and I am not buying. And, I am not really interested in being cool but being effective, self-responsible, and free.
Having said that, I appreciate your points and they are valid in spite of my attitude!
Now there is a novel idea. Lets give that one a whirl.
Good stuff
thanks.
Liked you points too. Ultimately, what is cooler than being free?
We already have the better product, we just need to work on our pitch.
Well Ridley its called expanding the base. Apparently an African American RNC Chair really bugs you? GOOD! Apparently Mr. Steele thinks for himself? AWESOME! Because apparently some others are UNABLE TO! Maybe Mr. Steele can change that? GOOD! Ridley you need to see what is happening to your party and to the people who support it. Do you think its awesome being in lock step goose stepping with the rest of them? Come on man. Step back and take a good HARD LOOK!
And no Obamawan would not have won without ACORN. Fraud is fraud and he won by fraud.
And Oprah, don't forget about her. And because he has Jay Z on his iPod and has a good jumpshot…all qualifications of a good leader, right? Who need experience when NY Times op-ed writers want to sleep with you?
Yeah, defeating a primary opponent hated by the base of her party (who ran an incompetent campaign) and a general election opponent hated by the base of his party (who ran an incompetent campaign) with 24/7 media propaganda… yeah, impressive. Or not.
Well, I'm not nearly as good as Obama:
http://jimtreacher.com/archives/001769.html
Obviously you don't since you never answered my question about how long you lived in Maryland, but you're welcome anyway.
As long as we're talking about the the demonization of one group to get votes from another: Mr. Ridley, do you have any opinions about Obama's habit during the campaign of making Malcolm X references in front of black audiences, but not in front of white audiences?
Do you think I am race baiting? If that is what Mr. Ridley meant, then he can explain that to me, Tim. BTW, my uncle was pretty cool.
Or, really Ridley's just very afraid Steele's going to succeed.
No offense. But I don't need to live in Maryland to assess Steele's career path. You may disagree with my opinion. But living in Maryland doesn't make you an expert on anything other than blue crab.
Steele is making moves in the right direction. He's reaching out to tech-savvy Republicans and looking at ways to mobilize in new ways. There's nothing wrong with seeking to expand your base by finding both younger and more diverse conservatives. They exist and right now we all need to come together. Just because Mr. Steele is awkward at articulating this doesn't mean that his efforts will fail.
Ridley=Token.
Does Huff post have a resident obama hater?
Honeslty why is this guy posting here?
How in hell can the GOP market anything, if every time they try, they are smacked down by the brothers. The black conservative is totally villified. It's like – "how dare they join that band of racist, after all we've done for them. We've taken care of their every need, we subjected them to the cruelty of abject & sustained poverty, and how dare anyone leave our generous nest?" Condi – Pathetic. Steele – A loser. Clarence Thomas – a sex fiend, etc., etc. Just on this thread , we've seen allegations about Micheal Steele – as a loser, corruptive, and his inabilty to win. Well getting elected for anything in MD when you have an 'R under your name is almost mystical. The DNC bombarded him with the nasties and he still almost won. That is no rout.
Maybe it's just that picture, but while I'm looking at Michael Steele I'm thinking of a middle-aged Carlton Banks from "Fresh Prince of Bel-Aire". I'm a small-government conservative, but when the Republican Party goes hip-hop, I'm voting Libertarian.
Okay, deal. You are not allowed to formulate an opinion on any politician who is not from Maryland. In truth, this may benefit the site as a whole. I look forward to your opinions on Marvin Mandel. Thanks in advance.
Mr. Ridley speaks for black people, not Steele, that's common knowledge, at least in the white community, when I talk to my fellow whites we always talk about how John Ridley speaks for the black community.
Maybe not intentionally.
But Ridley didn't say: "an uncle that worked as an Amtrak porter" or "an uncle that drove a rich woman's limousine around."
He said, " [an] uncle trying to be hip while playing some black-top hoops with 16 year olds."
I know what he meant, and it is devoid of any racial connotation (other than the fact that few white kids play black-top hoops. Most of us, grew up playing H-o-r-s-e in the driveway).
He means a dorky old guy, that thinks he relates to the kids better than he really does.
Ridley is a racist coward, and ignorant of the world around him. My 10 YR old "White" son demands
Hip Hop music in the car. If it wasn't for Guitar Hero I would never hear decent music. Well I do hear
music stolen and warped by liberal producers with no originality. In any case. I say to you turn on a
show on BBC America. Close your eyes and tell me the black from the white, the Indian from the Arab.
They all sound English!! I dare Rahm Emanuel to get rid of the race question on the next census, He
won't do it. Because the Democrat party survives on dividing us by race creed and color.GBB
Agreed. In the end, the real issue with socialism is that it is the anathema to freedom. I call it legal plunder. What's yours is mine.
Funny, I don't recall making any sort of deal with you, but since you are so keen to make deals, why don't you go live in Baltimore for a year or two and then get back to me on YOUR impressions of Maryland.
Excellent posts here. Mr. Ridley, did you notice you received thoughtful discourse here? I wonder if a heavy Palin supporter would get that at HuffPo or Kos? Bev from NYC, you hit the nail on the head. I am a Ga. resident. If Obama isn't the "hip-hop" Pres., then why was it he had his friends in that community performing at rallies during our run-off, for an old white man? Isn't that identity politics? And yet, somehow, it didn't work. I assure you, if it required two trips to the voting booth, once for Presidential voting, and once for Congress, Republicans would have won way more seats. You see, I have been a poll official for years, my mom, 30 yrs. I was asked by at least 100 people, "Can I vote for Obama as President, and Sarah Palin as V. President?" So what does that tell you? Also, most people told me later, they didn't know they could vote for Republicans, and Democrats at the same time. No, we don't have a very intelligent voting public. Spend some time working in politics, it will depress the hell out of you.
Bingo!
Let's show the Left who is really in favor of "Tolerance" and "Diversity."
Meanwhile, the strongest foe, is the one who studies his opponents' thinking.
I understand DefCon's point of view, but I'm with L4L on this. I don't like Ridley's stuff, I think the man is a fool and what he writes is written somewhat offensively. That said, I think it's worth having some provocative stuff on this site to give us things to think about and discuss. I wouldn't want this place to be an echo chamber like HufPo or the MSM.
In fact, I wish the liberals who visit this site would actually engage in debate, rather than just dropping a few nasty personal insults and then running away.
I have been critical of a few of John Ridley's remarks. But this one is important. Just like we would have been better prepared for the attacks on Sarah Palin if we had known they were going to paint her with the stupid brush, this post gives some marvelous insight on how the Left looks at the new Chairman.
And remember: we are the ones who mean it, when we talk about Freedom of Speech. Censorship is uniquely Leftist.
Another thing, if it isn't all about the Hip-Hop community, then how come Will.i.am had several songs out right away, praising Obama? The one where everyone just chants "Obama, Obama, Obama" sounds like a cult thing, and who can forget the lovely inclusive display by Jay Z and Young Jeezy on inaugural night? Right, Mr. Ridley? Remember, "My Mother F'ing President is Black!" I wonder when Obama will come out and denounce Chris Brown's actions. Surely it is a teachable moment since no decent black person would call women skanks and sluts and hos, talk about screwing them and tossing them away like Kleenex, and then actually beating one in the face? Right? I would have had more respect for Ridley had he posted on teaching young people responsibility and morals, and discussing how what Brown did was unacceptable. Or will it get brushed under the table?
Man, I love conservatives!
He's had a better career than Obama.
Gottfried was killing!!! The funniest part was the deer in the headlights look Hannity was wearing.
My favorite moment of the segment was when he turned to Kirsten Powers and said, "She's pretty hot." Amen, Gilbert. That's the only woman alive who could get me to vote Democrat.
Think, I'll play the liberal/democrat card and call Ridley a racist for making such comments against an African-American even if he is a Republican.
Tim, I think Bev's point (and I think it is an interesting observation) is that when it comes to criticizing blacks, almost anything a Republican says gets interpreted as some sort of code word. Yet, Ridley uses one of those code words himself without any criticism. Now, Ridley may have meant it to have a double meaning or he may not, but either way he's getting a free pass… he's getting the benefit of the doubt, which is something liberals do not give Republicans.
"he's getting the benefit of the doubt, which is something liberals do not give Republicans."
Perhaps. But I don't want to sink to their level. I believe we should try and rise above that kind of tactic. I don't want to see this glorious forum degenerate into a Hate Site like the Huffington Post.
Well, sure, Andrew. Except for that whole Getting Elected as President of the United States thing. Which oughtta count for something.
(And appropriate joke aside, Obama's senate win would have given him an edge anyway. If you really want to keep score.)
Still waiting for the Marvin Mandel opinion. Unless of course you don't know who he is. No fair googling!
Blacks go to church do they?
What are they learning in church, pray tell?
You must be logged in to post a comment.