ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Yesterday NewsBusters caught up with GOPAC chairman and former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele at the Xcel Center, site of the Republican National Convention.
Steele told us the coverage of the campaign so far has "been a joke," and that "if the shoe were on the other foot, [media] would be scrutinizing the heck out of a black Republican or a Hispanic Republican" running for president.
Some excerpts of that interview are below, starting with Steele's reaction to the disparity in scrutiny of Sens. McCain and Obama (video available here):
It's been a joke, quite frankly... there's been a coronation, there's been facilitation of his [Obama's] agenda, but there hasn't been any serious scrutiny of where this two-term state senator comes from, what makes him tick, what he really believes, what is his philosophical orientation, and it's, I think, rather unfortunate. [...]
I just look at how they chewed up Hillary to get to Barack. And so, you know, what they were trying to figure outwho's the best player to go up against the Republican establishment.... Certainly the race issue would be one of those landmines that they figured the party would have to deal with. So I think in terms of how the media has approached this more broadly speaking has been pitiful.... You know as well as I do, if the shoe were on the other foot, they would be scrutinizing the heck out of a black Republican or a Hispanic Republican [running for president].
How true.
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Woo Hoo, NS!
September 2, 2008 - 14:07 ET by BlondeThat was better than a great novel...I want MORE!
Excellent interview, great questions, and superb answers.
How fun was that, hm?
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Blonde
September 2, 2008 - 14:12 ET by Noel SheppardBlonde,
Total blast. Actually, there was one more question and answer, but the video had been turned off. Regardless, so far this was the most enjoyable interview here. ns
Noel
September 2, 2008 - 14:25 ET by MrShyVery cool! How does it work there, btw? Do media outlets all get their own booths/sections, somewhere along the periphery of the convention?
Say hi to Prince and Mary Tyler Moore while you're there, if you can! (okay, Prince probably isn't a conservative, and Mary, well, not only not that... she never really lived there. The *real* MTM actually lives down the block from me :p)
:)
* * * SOCKS THE CAT '08 * * *
For REAL Change
Shy
September 2, 2008 - 14:40 ET by BlondePrince lives in the purple palace out in the 'burbs called Minnetonka. West of the Cities.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
We squatted some chairs in
September 2, 2008 - 14:45 ET by Ken ShepherdWe squatted some chairs in the filing center in the adjacent auditorium. We also have a pass for the special media section above the convention floor.
Kudos NB
September 2, 2008 - 14:28 ET by acumenFantastic interview. Great questions and great answers.
Where can we make donations to NB to buy more video tape? :)
Ha...dittos on Noel's tough assignment Blonde. Hey Noel, didn't I just see Karl Rove heading into that sports bar over there?
Noel's a good guy...he deserves to have FUN!
September 2, 2008 - 14:38 ET by BlondeAm I getting into your head today, H?
Blonde: Excellent interview, great questions, and superb answers.
acumen: Fantastic interview. Great questions and great answers.
Kidding, of course.
I just wish we'd see Noel on Fox as one of the regular talking heads.
I'd like to see one of NB's interview Joe Scarborough, too. That would be interesting, to say the least.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Every day Blonde
September 2, 2008 - 14:50 ET by acumenAm I getting into your head today, H?
Ha. How does the saying go.....sexy people think alike...or something along those lines.
Yes Noel would be great on FOX but I'm glad to see our valiant servant Noel enjoying some well-deserved R&R. And some rest and relaxation wouldn't hurt him either.
Wow
September 2, 2008 - 14:57 ET by BlondeThanks.
And let us send Noel a virtual "little cold drink" (or a "dividend" as my granny used to say).
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Toast
September 2, 2008 - 14:59 ET by acumenCheers.
Blonde
September 2, 2008 - 14:56 ET by Noel SheppardB,
Stay tuned for Scarborough!!! :-) ns
Yay, Noel!
September 2, 2008 - 15:00 ET by BlondeYour wife has you really well trained. :)
Ask him if his schtick with Mika is the real thing (I think he'd like to tip her off her chair most days). And hi from Florida, if you can work it in!
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Interview
September 2, 2008 - 14:28 ET by SchnikeysGood interview.
------------------------------------------------------------
"My morality is your morality."
This is what
September 2, 2008 - 14:40 ET by HeavyChevySharpton,Spike lee, and Jackson are afraid of a "REAL" black man! For me Steele seems like such a roll up your sleeves and let's get to work kind a guy!
"9 out of 10 doctors agree that flag burning is the number one killer of liberals."
Steele
September 2, 2008 - 16:13 ET by well99"For me Steele seems like such a roll up your sleeves and let's get to work kind a guy!"
That is why I have always liked him.He seems down to earth also.I really wish he had run for president...oh well
Noel...lucky YOU! This is
September 2, 2008 - 14:45 ET by bigtimerNoel...lucky YOU! This is great!
I love Steele...I also loved his answers and your questions...he tells it like it is!
I really liked his answer about the msm, if they would be able to gain their reputation back after the election, even if Obama wins ...the ends don't justify the means...
They are going to have a lot of work to do indeed...I, for one, do not think they are ever going back to real professionalsim, such as it ever was to begin with.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
For me BT
September 2, 2008 - 15:05 ET by HeavyChevyIt's already too late. If the MSM was a horse I would have to shoot it. At this point they (the liberal media) are beyond any medical or in this case journalistic hope.
"9 out of 10 doctors agree that flag burning is the number one killer of liberals."
HC... I couldn't agree
September 2, 2008 - 15:12 ET by bigtimerHC...
I couldn't agree more...your cure works for me.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Steele seems so nice and down to earth
September 2, 2008 - 14:46 ET by Dee Bunkgreat interview. I like him even more now.
Steele was one of my top
September 2, 2008 - 14:53 ET by dscottSteele was one of my top favorites for the VP slot, but alas... Palin will do just fine and hopefully we will get Steele into a McCain admin somewhere.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
dscott...mine too...along
September 2, 2008 - 14:55 ET by bigtimerdscott...mine too...along with Santorum...but heck this is getting to be more fun watching the msm melt-down the likes of which we have never seen.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Excellant interview
September 2, 2008 - 16:28 ET by well99I respect him as straight talking to the point politician.He was my choice for pres way back but unfortunately he didnt run.I hope McCain has a cabinet position for him.It would be a waste of talent not to have Michael involved in our goverment.
Nothing to Add...
September 2, 2008 - 17:47 ET by Copperhead Ridge...except a little self-aggrandizement.
I met Michael Steele at a GOP breakfast in Graves County, Kentucky, prior to the famous Fancy Farm Picnic a few years ago. I had a great conversation with him and have been a big fan of his since that day.
Liberals hate Steele.
I want more of Michael
September 2, 2008 - 17:55 ET by msh1973I want more of Michael Steele....can you say "rising star" in the Republican party. I cannot believe he didn't get elected in '06', the folks of his state really lost out!
Me too msh... What really
September 2, 2008 - 18:01 ET by bigtimerMe too msh...
What really made me mad was all the racist bias the opposition did to Steele, the filth by Schumer and team, and the ZERO reporting from the msm about all of this for the most part, if it was mentioned at all it was an after-thought, and made such lite of...
I still am furious...to top that off I know Maryland has a problem with cheating with the votes too...
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh