The tussle between the two leading members of the Republican Party is quickly becoming a battle for the conscience and direction of the party.The contrast in style and focus between the old guard and the new is clear.
Symbolized by the friction between conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, the Grand Ol' Party is caught between its good old boy image and the new agenda, new look, and new focus many in the party want to embrace.
While some see this internal development as a change reflective of the increasing diversity of our nation, others see it as the ultimate RINO (Republican In Name Only) betrayal and have fought to reclaim the party in a quest to restore Republican political power in Washington. ...
Those rejecting the move toward a new brand of Republicanism often find themselves following every note "Rushed" to radios and iPods. Limbaugh's daily tune plays to millions across the country. As the leader of the conservative media choir, Rush's song harmonizes traditional conservative theory with current events in a media-friendly manner that captivates his highly conservative audience.
However, this melody is not music to everyone's ears, as Limbaugh's over-the-top attacks on the media, liberals, and Democrats often are more often than not incendiary. This has chased away the moderate voting bloc that candidates need in to win key elections.
These losses led to the election of Michael Steele, the former lieutenant governor of Maryland and head of GOPAC. The media-savvy Steele won election to the chair of the Republican National Committee not because of his race, but because of his ability to re-engage the voters Republicans have not attracted in the recent past: urban, ethnic, and young voters.
Prominent Black Republicans
Condoleezza Rice
United States Secretary of State
Joseph Barrak, AFP/Getty Images
Colin Powell
Former United States Secretary of State (2001-2005)
Ron Edmonds, AP
Clarence Thomas
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
Randy Snyder, AP
Alan Keyes
Political activist.
Kelley McCall, AP
J.C. Watts
Republican politician and entrepreneur.
Steve Jaffe, AFP / Getty Images
Armstrong Williams
Television, radio host, columnist and political pundit.
Graham Williams Group, AP
Alveda King
The author is a niece of the civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr.
Johnny Nunez, WireImage.com
Don King
Boxing promoter.
Frank Franklin II, AP
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Civil rights icon.
AP
T.D. Jakes
Famous American preacher.
Johnny Nunez, WireImage.com
Steele's background, political story, and even personal lingo reflect more of the changing guard of America – the move towards diverse inclusion, more urban influence over the country at the highest levels, and the articulation of a message that makes sense with more Americans on election days. In many ways, it is his job to reverse the trends set in motion during ERL – the Era of Rush Limbaugh.
In essence, he needs to sing the same song as Limbaugh – conservatism – but with a very different musical arrangement.
The resulting conflict is a clash in sound as both sides battle for the attention of the Republican base and direction of the conservative movement.
It is doubtful that the two clashing sides in the GOP will be able to make sweet music together, especially since one was elected due to the existence of the other - despite the popular and misguided myth that Steele is a direct result of Obama's November win. The old guard of the Party will refuse to relinquish power without a fight, feeling that America must embrace old school philosophies in order to make America greater and stronger. The new school of the Republican Party understands that America has changed permanently and that the GOP – not America - must adapt in order to stay relevant and strong. As we saw starting this past weekend, the bully pulpit of the Republican may currently be big enough for two men, but barely. During this culture war, it won't be big enough too much longer. The winner will end up showing Republicans how to change their tune moving forward.
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Lenny McAllister is a Republican political commentator and guest co-host for Fox News - Charlotte's morning show "Fox News Rising," where his commentary can be seen every Monday. His website is lennymcallister.com
Comments: (80)
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By: Pat on 3/04/2009 11:58AM
This is a BS dipiction of what really is going on with the Repubs. Michael Steele was trying come-off as Republican Soul Brotha #1 while on the DL Hughley Show, cause "He be da man." Rush Limbaugh heard what Michael said about him, and swiftly told Michael to be a good boy and stay in his place--"Do what you were elected to do, stay in the background...figure out how to win some primaries, instead of trying to be a media celebrity, which you are not doing a good job of." Wow, Rush, don't be so mean! Michael, punked out, called Rush within the hour and apologized--bent over and took it like the Auntie Tomitha he is...That's the story. The Repubs thought Michael Steele was going to be their answer to President Barack Obama, so they charged him with the duty of "diversifying" the republican party, because, of course Black folks can't see Uncle Tom walking--just any ole Black man in a suit with do, content of character notwithstanding. However, Rush pulled Michael's trump card and revealed to all the real Michael Steele, and who really "Be da man." And, it ain't Michael Steele--our modern day overseer...I guess the Repubs will look for a new Negro, in a new suit...There's always one waiting in the wings...How about Alan Keyes--we just love him...
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By: Felecia on 3/05/2009 11:42AM
Thank you for this because I wish people will truly see what the Republicans are up to now, and this is the reason they lost! They don't seem to remember that there are also Blacks who votes! Rush just want to hear hisself talk, and so I tend not to pay any attention to him, because he's just another joe the plumber! Don't know much about anything!
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By: Michelle on 3/05/2009 5:30PM
Yes sir Mr.Limbaugh sir we sho love us some Alan Keyes.
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By: James on 3/04/2009 1:31PM
The inflammatory and divisive rhetoric of Limbaugh will prevail over the tepid approach of RNC Chief Steele in the short term. This is reflective of the Republican inability to accept the shift in the voting pattern in America.
We ordinary people are sick of the artificial divisions imposed upon us by the rich and elitist - most often Republicans who still judge other Americans by arcane standards. In my view, we need to take America back from these war mongering money grubbers who want this nation to reflect their greed-driven value base. We ,all of us, need to realize that we have been used and duped to believe that there would be enough trickle down from the table of greed to feed our children, pay our mortages and manage our common good by simply maintaining the statua quo. It will not happen.
we will have to pay the cost associated with buying into the greed model without expecting to pay anything. Now the piper has come demanding payment.
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By: Roy on 3/05/2009 1:13PM
Thanks for your articulate commentary. I'm relieved that others have seen the light. It's not about parties, but rather agendas. We have all witnessed the agenga of the rich when it swings too far to the right. However, if properly harnessed, and redirected, it can be used along with the lefts' agenda to get this country back on its' feet.
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By: ((( HiRoader ))) on 3/04/2009 2:09PM
LOL !!!.... Is anyone else laughing besides me?.. Point is Limbaugh's ego has swollen so large, he has elected officals in their presidential campaign bids regurgitating, plagiarizing verbatum his conservative talk radio commentaries, like worms for birds in a nest, like the Palin(chick)and the Jindal guy... Rush has no official responsibility to any constituents.., It's just his conservative point of view broadcasting in a studio and not developing policy -WITH- democratic & independent representatives at the taxpayers expense.., which is the actual business that takes place in Washington DC... But this is the influential position elected republicans have subjected their political official responsibilities to... They put the "Conservative Media" in a instigating "winner takes all" media gladiator forum inspite/regardless of the Washington democratic and independent representation by millions of (taxpaying)citizens... In thier self-serving social entitlement rants for trickle down economics and systematic conservative social pecking order... The Limbaugh media has lost creditability by being hypocritical & in denial about the incompetence of the previous Bush administration... Now the newest conservative media stategic rant for being fiscal conscious should've been blasted by the media as ridiculous.., But it must have been neutralize by the Limbaugh media as valid...
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By: duck on 3/04/2009 2:17PM
OBAMA WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ELECTED HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR OPERATION CHAOS. SO WE WELCOME RUSH'S TAKE OVER OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BECAUSE ALL HE DOES IS ASSIST IN EVERYTHING THAT OBAMA WANTS. HE IS THE GREATEST HELPER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. SO I SAY ROCK ON RUSH.
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By: Independent Voter on 3/04/2009 2:23PM
The Replubican Party is a "Factionsionist Party". What I mean by this is that there are mutiple groups within the party that are linked in name only, but not ideology. Unfortunately, for the Republican Party this factionism shows the lack of a coherent leadership and message to the general public, let alone their own party. Delving deeper, this overt power struggle between Steele and Limbaugh displays the unequivocal truth of Steele's election as a misguided attempt on the part of the "RNC" to supposedly place minority's in prominent roles of leadership in their party to show supposed progressiveness, similar to same gaffe of placing Palin on the GOP ticket in '08.
In the end I feel the Republican Party will remain in its many factions because its moderate base will continue to place what if feels to be progressive faces with vantriliquist voices in the visual media (i.e. Jindahl) while the conservative base will continue to thrive and grow in all other facets of media and public dissemenation (Those applause for Limbaugh weren't sound effects).
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By: willkill 1 on 3/04/2009 3:19PM
They can use all the big smart sounding words thay want, but the real people that make up 90% of this county, knows that the G O P is stuck in the fifty's. And as long as they have Rush talking out the side of his neck, they will never run this county again, which is A OK with me.
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By: Kimberly Patrick on 3/04/2009 3:40PM
The only reason Steele won is because he is black and the Republicans needed some to go head to head (so they thought) with President Obama. His back tracking on his remarks only validates my first statement. He needs to step out of the shadow of the sore losers. That is what the Republicans are. They cannot get over the fact they lose and who they lose too. Instead of picking fights and name calling, they need to focus on the issues of the country. They just don't seem to get that George Bush put us in the spot. I never heard the Republicans complain when he put out his stimulus package. As for Rush he is a fat pill taker, and perhaps he is still taking drug that is why he is all to spew his rhectoric. This country is falling apart, we have better things to do.
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