Michael Steele

John Heilemann: 'Objections to Gay Marriage Similar to 1960s Laws Against Interracial Marriage’
By Jeffrey Meyer | February 7, 2012 | 4:48 PM EST

On the February 7 edition of MSNBC's Now with Alex Wagner, panelist John Heilemann, who writes for New York Magazine, thought it appropriate to equate the gay marriage debate in California to racial bigotry experienced by African-Americans in the 1960s. 

During an interview with openly gay former Lieutenant Dan Choi, Heilemann asked former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele the following bigoted and offensive question: “Michael I’m curious about whether you think it would be okay in modern America, for there to be some states where black men could not marry white women?  If local standards where that were unacceptable.” [MP3 audio here. See video below.]

Michael Steele Scolds MSNBC Host Over Her Suggestion Conservatives Need to Rally Around Romney
By Ken Shepherd | January 5, 2012 | 3:41 PM EST

With Mitt Romney winning the Iowa caucus and on track to do well in New Hampshire, conservatives should just give up and rally behind the former Massachusetts governor, MSNBC host Alex Wagner suggested at the open of today's Now with Alex Wagner.

Former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele was having none of that:

Surprising Morning Joe: Bachmann Praised, Sachs To Right Of Ron Paul, Dem CEOs Desert Obama
By Mark Finkelstein | December 16, 2011 | 8:38 AM EST

Christopher Hitchens, RIP, would likely have loved the rough-and-tumble of today's Morning Joe.  The first half-hour was a jolting fix for political junkies.  

If the goring of Newt Gingrich was predictable, there was much that was not.  Michelle Bachmann's debate performance was roundly praised.  Lefty Jeff Sachs put himself to Ron Paul's right on the Iranian threat.  Joe Scarborough and Donny Deutsch reported that normally-Dem New York CEOs have deserted Obama en masse.  Video after the jump.

How Dems and Liberal Media Cynically Use Race to Bash Conservatives, Especially Black Ones
By Ann Coulter | November 3, 2011 | 11:07 AM EDT

By spending the last three decades leveling accusations of "racism" every 10 seconds, liberals have made it virtually impossible for Americans to recognize real racism -- for example, the racism constantly spewed at black conservatives.

In the last year alone, a short list of the things liberals have labeled "racist" include:

Steele: Perry Got 'Owned' When He Opened 'Whup---'
By Mark Finkelstein | October 19, 2011 | 7:38 AM EDT

A lively GOP debate dissection on today's Morning Joe.  Mika Brzezinski really liked Romney's performance, saying among other things that he was "fabulous." She also had surprising praise for Michelle Bachmann.

There was consensus that 9-9-9 was "deboned" and that Herman Cain hurt himself badly with his pre-debate answer on releasing terrorists from Gitmo. Meanwhile, Michael Steele had a striking way of saying that Perry's aggressiveness backfired. Video and more after the jump.
 

Bashir: Cain Skipped MLK Ceremony Because He Doesn't Want To Be 'Associated With African-Americans'
By Noel Sheppard | October 17, 2011 | 5:49 PM EDT

Martin Bashir's campaign to prove Herman Cain really isn't a black man continued Monday when he accused the Republican presidential candidate of skipping the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Monument in Washington, D.C., Saturday because he "really doesn't want to be overtly associated with African-Americans" (video follows with transcript and commentary):

Howard Dean: Tea Party 'Not Playing With Full Deck'
By Mark Finkelstein | October 5, 2011 | 7:56 AM EDT

Bulletin from the Bureau of Pot-Meet-Kettle: Howard Dean has declared that Tea Party Americans "are not playing with a full deck."  This not merely from the man who made The Scream famous, but who in the very same segment today had a manic tongue-sticking-out moment [see screen grab] that might have scared pets and small children.  

Dean also managed to get into a spirited fight with Michael Steele over Obama's 2012 prospects.  Dean claims to see an Obama transformed, a candidate "on fire" who is on course to win.  Steele soberly poured the water of the 9.1% unemployment rate on Obama's fire.  Video after the jump.
 

Mark Halperin Declares Romney Winner of GOP's Iowa Debate, Gives Gingrich C+
By Noel Sheppard | August 12, 2011 | 10:21 AM EDT

You really have to wonder what debate Mark Halperin was watching Thursday evening.

Appearing on Friday's "Morning Joe," the Time magazine and MSNBC political analyst declared former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney the winner of the Republican presidential debate in Iowa, and actually gave former House Speaker Newt Gingrich - who many thought stole the show - only a C+ (video follows with partial transcript and commentary):

Richard Wolffe Flat Out Lies About Obama's Eight Percent Unemployment Pledge
By Noel Sheppard | August 6, 2011 | 5:46 PM EDT

As the prospects for Barack Obama's reelection decline, American media are getting more and more cavalier with the truth when defending the object of their affection.

On Friday, MSNBC political analyst Richard Wolffe not only lied about the adminstration's projection that unemployment wouldn't rise above eight percent if its stimulus package was enacted, he also badly misrepresented the timing of job losses during the recession (video follows with transcript and commentary):

Michael Steele Laughs At Joan Walsh For Calling Obama 'The Reagan Figure'
By Noel Sheppard | July 20, 2011 | 7:21 PM EDT

As NewsBusters previously reported, Chris Matthews on Wednesday lied about Ronald Reagan's position on taxes in a "Hardball" segment insinuating the late President would oppose the current Republican stance on the debt ceiling.

When Salon editor Joan Walsh said Obama "is actually the Reagan figure here," former RNC chairman Michael Steele bust out laughing (video follows with transcript and commentary):

NBC's Curry Whines About Palin's 'Bad Relationship' With Media, 'Not Playing Well' With GOP
By Kyle Drennen | June 1, 2011 | 3:08 PM EDT

Updated with video

On Wednesday's NBC Today, fill-in co-host Ann Curry fretted over Sarah Palin not sucking up to the press, complaining "[she] seems to delight in having a bad relationship with what she calls the 'lamestream media.'" Curry added that Palin was "angering some Republicans as well, about this tour, by not notifying them ahead of time." [Audio available here]

Curry discussed Palin's bus tour with former Republican National Committee Chairman and newly named MSNBC political analyst Michael Steele. She further pushed the idea that Palin was alienating fellow Republicans: "The Republican chairman of Pennsylvania says the lack of information is irking many GOP leaders in the states Palin is expected to visit. Could not playing well with her team backfire for Sarah Palin?"

View video below

Michael Steele Scolds Chris Matthews: You're Wrong - Ryan Plan Doesn't Kill Medicare
By Noel Sheppard | May 26, 2011 | 9:52 AM EDT

MSNBC's Chris Matthews has for weeks been dishonestly telling his viewers Congressman Paul Ryan's (R-Wisc.) budget proposal would kill Medicare.

On Wednesday's "Hardball," former Republican National Committee chair just-turned MSNBC contributor Michael Steele struck back (video follows with transcript and commentary):