Nobody will deny that Michael Steele has made some significant mistakes as chairman of the Republican National Committee. Some of these mistakes may end up hurting Republicans in the November elections.
Even so, it seems like some Republicans, who claim to hold onto both conservative and evangelical values, have forgotten one important thing–treat others as you want to be treated. It is not some complex policy matter that needs further study. Treating others with respect is easy to comprehend, but apparently very difficult to put into practice.
Michael Steele is the first African-American chairman of the Republican National Committee. It is only logical to think that Republicans would handle his chairmanship with care–given the fragile nature of recent Republican relations with the black community. Sadly, Republicans have let a significant opportunity pass them by. Conservative talk radio hosts, tv personalities, and Republican leaders have steered conservative-minded citizens in the wrong direction. Rather than focus on real struggles within the party–like developing real, substantive policy–these individuals have persuaded the masses to focus on attacking “establishment” leaders like Michael Steele. Republican strategist Ed Rollins recently remarked that Chairman Steele has “obviously been a disaster.” While there may be some truth to his claims, Republicans have pitted themselves against their own leaders only to give Democrats more firepower.
I am not suggesting that Republicans should not be able to question or criticize leaders for decisions they’ve made, but only that they do so in a respectful manner. It is astonishing to see how brutally Michael Steele is attacked by members of his own party. It makes no political sense for Republicans to publicly embarass one of their own leaders–one of the few African-American leaders in the Republican Party–when Democrats so comfortably continue their relationship with the black community.
Republicans face two significant challenges leading up to the November elections and beyond. First, Republican leadership must finally be able to communicate a unified message for “change” outside of tv personalities like Glenn Beck. The 2008 elections proved that independent voters did not find the McCain/Palin cliché machine desirable. Second, Republicans must publicly display a unified body that can effectively battle the Democrats All-Star team of Obama/Biden/Hillary. It’s easy to forget that these three individuals were once presidential candidates running negative campaigns against each other. But they found a way to overcome their differences for the sake of their party’s agenda. Republicans must do the same.
Republicans have made a grave error by attacking Michael Steele so viciously–both tactically and morally. Why should African-Americans want to join a political party that treats its first black chairman of the Republican National Committee so terribly? Leaders of the Republican Party must address these major (mis)communication issues, provide substantive policy, and learn to treat their friends and enemies with respect. Democrats will continue to win the battle for “hearts and minds” until they do.
“Do unto others as you want them to do to you.”
“Think before you speak.”
These are two wise sayings from the Bible that really could have an impact on our political system if we just applied them to our daily lives.
The Constitution, Inc. 