Standing on Shakey Ground

Republican Party Committe National Chairman Michael Steele again finds himself in trouble for diarrhea of the mouth, an apparently chronic condition. This time several people are calling for his ouster for statements about Obama's prosecution of the war in Afghanistan.

The Triumvirate

Charles Blow, in Three Blind Mice writes of the disarray in the leadership of the Republican Party:

The Republicans have reached a new low, literally.

According to the most recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, the percentage of Americans who view the Republican Party positively is at an all-time low. Meanwhile, President Obama’s positive rating is at an all-time high, and the Democratic Party’s positive rating is near its high.

Why? Because the Republicans have dissolved into a querulous lot of nags and naysayers without a voice, a direction or a clue, and we are not amused.

And who has surfaced as their saviors? Bobby Jindal, Michael Steele and Rush Limbaugh — the axis of drivel.

Moonwalking Michael Steele

In response to CNN's D. L. Hughley's characterization of Rush Limbaugh as the de facto leader of the Republican Party, Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele answered: "No he's not. I'm the de facto leader of the Republican Party. Rush Limbaugh is an entertainer. Rush Limbaugh, the whole thing is entertainment. Yes, it incendiary. Yes, it's ugly."

Then after Limbaugh pretty much dismissed Mr. Steele on his radio show, the chairman did what Republicans typically do after crossing the pill popping blowhard, he apologized: "My intent was not to after Rush - I have enormous respect for Rush Limbaugh. I was maybe a little bit inarticulate." Indeed.

Michael Steele's Challenge

Michael Steele's elevation to chairmanship of the Republican National Committee is being hailed as watershed moment in the history of the American Republic, similar to Barack Obama being elected president. Unfortunately, try as I might, I simply cannot erase from memory the GOP trotting out black faces at recent party conventions in an effort to portray itself as the party of inclusiveness, despite 40 years of evidence to the contrary. Perhaps I have fallen prey to cynicism but Steele's efforts to recast this lilly white party is an exercise in futility.