Wednesday September 2, 2009, 11:01 am
Tuesday night at Howard University, RNC chair Michael Steele did an impression of the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz: he was absolutely heartless. Not everyday do we see the head of a major political party insult a 23 year old whose mother just died of cancer.

But first let's set the scene:

Steele spoke at Howard in front of roughly 150 students as part of his outreach program to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. His effort to connect with young black students got off to a rather cringe-worthy start when right before the billed "student dialogue" two dozen white members of area young Republicans arrived to sit in the reserved first two rows of the packed room. One wondered, as students grumbled, if Steele hired John Ashcroft to be his event manager.

But the discomfort turned to boredom as Steele's "dialogue" turned quickly into a monologue. The RNC chair went on a long rambling speech about pulling yourself up by your bootstraps, while the texting audience strained to stay awake. There was no impassioned argument or defense of the Republican Party and any questions in the "dialogue" had to be submitted in writing while Steele spoke. The only thing that caused even a raised eyebrow was Steele's occasional effort at slang. When a student told Steele she was going into business law he said, "Business law! Mo money!"

But when challenged, Steele exposed himself, and it was awful to see the Tin Man's tin ear. When the RNC chair took a written question on health care, he blasted the public option, saying that "every time the government gets involved in something it doesn't work."

Then came Amanda Duzak, and Steele's evening just got a whole lot worse.

Duzak, a 23 year old Towson University grad, stood up, against the rules and out of turn.

"My mother died of cancer 6 months ago because she could only afford three of her six prescription chemotherapy medications," she projected. "There are 50 million people in this country who could end up like my mom, suffering or dying because they do not have adequate health care. Everyone in this room and everyone in this country should have access to good health care."

The room woke up and other than those glaring from the front, the applause was wall to wall. But it's Steele's response that makes this moment both newsworthy and a terrible comment on his character. After saying that he believed in a mature, honest discussion and not in shouting, Steele said, "People are coming to these town meetings and they're like [he then shakes]." He then looked and gestured right at Ms. Duzak and said, "It makes for great TV. You'll probably make it tonight, enjoy it." He then turned his back to her, as the crowd clapped.

[click on link above to watch the video]

Think about what Steele did. He didn't only turn his back and rudely dismiss a young woman whose mother just died of cancer. He used the shameful recent behavior of the right wing town hall screamers -- his own party's base -- to try and turn the crowd against Ms. Duzak.

Damian Smith, a after school counselor and Prince George's County resident, also weighed in about how his aunt is losing her home because of her medical bills. Other people started to shout out as well.

But Steele was worse than non-responsive. He was dismissive and profoundly disrespectful. As Smith said to me afterward, "I couldn't believe he acted that way toward her... toward all of us. He was just mean."

The roots of Steele's unconscionable behavior lie in his own political bankruptcy. The nation faces a health care crisis and has no answer other than telling students, "Everyone in the country needs health care." Lately he has been running commercials telling seniors, "No cuts for Medicare," just two short years after running for senator of Maryland saying that "everything has to be on the table" - including Medicare cuts. As Ron Brownstein wrote in National Journal on Friday, "Steele's pledge this week to 'protect Medicare' might have been more convincing had it not come five months after nearly four-fifths of House Republicans voted to literally end the program as we know it for all Americans younger than 55."

It's one thing to be a fraud. That's politics as usual. But to turn your back on a young person whose mother just died of cancer is more than politics as usual. It's shocking. As Ms. Duzak said to me after the event, very upset, "I wasn't trying to shout or be rude. I just wanted an answer. I thought we were all owed that." We certainly are. But if nothing else, Michael Steele owes Amanda Duzak a sincere apology.

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 11:25 am

Republican Chairman Michael Steele: Dems Should Pass Health Care Bill Without Republicans


RNC Chair Steele on His Own Party: 'No Reason, None, to Trust Our Words or Our Actions at This Point.'»

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 11:35 am
Immigration Remarks Land Mark Kirk On A Condom In New Ads

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 12:09 pm
Who's Laughing Now? Turning the Tide on Republican Rep. Lynn Jenkins!

Kandas Republican Rep. Lynn Jenkins' constituents are fed up with the embarrassing national headlines and her lack of leadership. The more time she spends in her
district, the more voters have buyers remorse.

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 12:16 pm
Ahhhh. Isn't it heartwarming how the Family Values Party reaches out to those in need??

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 5:29 pm
Ugly Christian...No Gimmick Church...How Shall You Die?...Proof we're a 'Christian' nation..

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 5:32 pm
The stories, the heartbreak, the frustration continues mounting, and instead of everyone working together to solve these horrible incidents, we continue to battle in Congress! What a nightmare for us all!!

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 5:49 pm
When it comes to healthcare, there is no lie a conservative will not tell.

Wednesday September 2, 2009, 6:43 pm
* Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele, still an embarrassment to himself.

Thursday September 3, 2009, 7:56 am
People are coming forward to tell of their horror stories at the hands of wealthy companies and the Republicans just keep their heads in the sand - nope nope no problem here! Disgusting! WE PAY FOR THEIR SALARIES AND HEALTHCARE FOR LIFE!!!!

Thursday September 3, 2009, 9:41 am
what a pr!ck, he's a disgrace.....

Thursday September 3, 2009, 9:52 am
Always remember, these are the $ame people who lied u$ into 2 illegal Bu$h war$ ...our President is playing 3D chess and these nitwits are still playing checkers ...

Thursday September 3, 2009, 3:57 pm
Steele did just what the other republiCONS have been doing all along. Turning their backs on all the american people who want and need a decent healthcare program in this country! They have no consceince or character!

Thursday September 3, 2009, 5:01 pm
* The AFL-CIO expects a public option. So does John Conyers.

Thursday September 3, 2009, 6:43 pm
....and they call the British national health service "evil"..Thanks Blue,if anyone needed awake up call re the heartless void that is the GOP ,then you have given it to them..

Thursday September 3, 2009, 6:56 pm
Steele comes across as wanting to present his own show...without disagreement.He is like some oily guy at a business conference...until he gets rattled...and you just know that he is burning up inside...and trying not to show it...and then the fire inside ignites his oily character..and boom..the mask slips as he erupts..
Amanda Duzak..a toast to you,for having guts and tenacity..in your voicing of injustice.
Lets double..triple our efforts to fight,fight and fight again for decent healthcare reform..

Thursday September 3, 2009, 9:43 pm
Why Health Insurance Reform Will Pass This Fall -- It's the High Political Ground

Health insurance reform represents the high political ground for four major reasons:

1). Most Americans - including swing voters - can't stand the health insurance industry. As Congress reconvenes, the Administration and its allies will unleash a major drive to correctly define the battle as a contest between the interests of private health insurance companies and ordinary Americans. Health Care for America Now (HCAN), the big coalition of progressive organizations and Labor, will put it this way: If the insurance companies win, you lose. ....

2). The Obama Administration will use every ounce of its political capital to win this battle. The President and his top advisors understand that -- when it comes to health care -- failure is simply not an option. They know that defeat on health care would be a huge blow to the President's ability to pass his entire agenda and his own standing with the voters. People follow successful leaders - not those who fail.

As a result, the President will use every bit of his charm, his persuasive ability and the formidable powers of the Presidency to secure the votes to win.

And make no mistake. While Barack Obama would prefer a bi-partisan bill passed through the regular order with broad consensus, he has an iron will and will pass a bill by one vote using special budget procedures if that is necessary to win. He is a huge fan of Lincoln's Team of Rivals, but in matters of legislation his model is Lyndon Johnson.

Anyone who doubts the strength of his resolve - or his resourcefulness - doesn't yet understand Barack Obama.

be sure to read the entire article ...

Friday September 4, 2009, 12:21 pm
Blue, That man does not deserves our time of day

Friday September 4, 2009, 1:02 pm
Just another shining example of our Republican Party in action. While insurance companies bussed in shills to break up Democratic town hall meetings, Republican senators and congressmen hosted friendly crowds of invitees only, just like Bush and Cheney did during the 2004 presidential campaign. No dissent was, or is, tolerated. These heartless, gutless, morally bankrupt morons are once again showing their true colors--and neither red, white, nor blue is included. They've lowered the Stars & Stripes and now sail under their true pennant--the Jolly Roger.