Michael Steele, Really Bumbling Through This Specter Situation

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Michael Steele and the RNC sent out an email to supporters late last night trying to raise funds on Specter’s switch. “His defection to the Democrat Party puts the Democrats in an almost unstoppable position to pass Obama’s destructive agenda,” he wrote. “Join me in this fight by making a secure online contribution of $25, $50, $100, $500 or $1,000 right now.” For good measure, he calls Specter “craven” and Obama backers a “band of radical leftists.”

My favorite bit, though, is when he follows up that name-calling by comparing the RNC and its supporters to America’s greatest statesman.

Some will use Specter’s defection as an excuse to fold the tent and give up. I believe that you are not one of those people. When Benedict Arnold defected to the British, George Washington didn’t fold the tent and give up either.

What’s a little self-flattery among friends? Steele also said yesterday that Specter, who is basically a moderate conservative, has a “left-wing” voting record. Which is a pretty clear signal that, oh, 70 percent of Americans and their political views aren’t welcome in today’s GOP. Nice work, Chairman Steele!

Update: Uh oh. Looks like Steele is facing dissent in-house.

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BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

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