Some question the wisdom of having the chairman of the Republican National Committee sit in front of any camera that would show his bespectacled countenance rather than have him sit behind a desk drawing up plans to retake government and restore faith in our party. I am one of those who worries that showmanship has replaced hard work in the party. There are some signs that this strategy has been more detrimental than beneficial; I, for one, feel a sense of trepidation for the Republican message whenever I see Steele’s talking face on screen. Add to that his apology to Rush Limbaugh and the political threats against fellow Republicans who voted with the Democrats on the scattershot, special interests driven “stimulus” bill, and I see a leadership that exudes division and vulnerability. On top of that, he has again muddled the message by proclaiming that abortion is an “individual choice” rather than presenting the issue as one that threatens our definition of murder and the role of the federal government in making sweeping social policy that affects everyone. The Republican Party has long been regarded as the party of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, but instead of emphasizing this, the chairman has further confused the public, alienated many in the base, and portrayed our party as unsure of itself. Steele, on the other hand, seems to revel in the publicity as the party continues to waffle and fail to project a unified, strong message. He is becoming the RNC Nero.

Furthermore, the inclusion of “hip” slang is woefully out of place, inducing widespread cringing whenever we hear members of the party of fiscal responsibility yell out such embarrassing phrases as “you be da man!” or “bling, bling-free stimulus.” MC Rove? Seriously? Urban slang makes sense in context and, by definition, Republican functions are about as far divorced from that context as an Eskimo in Miami… oh, and someone inform Mitt Romney that I let the dogs out and tell him not to ask that question ever again.

Back to the issue at hand, what conservatives need is a chairman who puts in the work, rolls up his sleeves, and expands the party. Most of all, we need a chairman who communicates the Republican vision for this country and how we are freedom’s final line of defense against the party of socialism. I don’t call for his resignation, but rather insist that he get back to the work that we hired him for: strengthening our party. With all of the distractions we have had, the last thing that we need is a public execution of the chairman of the Republican Party. Mr. Chairman, please get back to work, the sooner the better. Let us keep out disagreements private and put our solutions in the limelight. Otherwise, Rome will burn down permanently this time.

-AG