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Steele Courting More Trouble
03/11/09 6:59 PM EDT
By CHRIS STIREWALT
Political editor
In the new interview with RNC Chairman Michael Steele just out from GQ, the party boss covers a wide variety of topics -- from the furniture in the chairman's office ("too male") to racisim in America ("driving while black") -- but it's his comments on gay rights and abortion are sure to ruffle some feathers in the GOP .
On gay rights he was a strict federalist, arguing that every state should have the right to decide whether or not to allow gay marriage and on abortion, he sounded unequivocally pro-choice:
Are you saying you think women have the right to choose abortion?
Yeah. I mean, again, I think that’s an individual choice.
You do?
Yeah. Absolutely.
Steele also took a federalist position on abortion, saying states should choose whether to allow the practice.
During his campaign for RNC chairman, Steele took a lot of heat from the right wing for his membership in the Republican Leadership Council -- a centerist group working to find accomodation between social liberals and conservatives in the party to focus on fiscal goals. Steele argued that he was strongly pro-life and pointed to his political record. But in his GQ interview, Steele seems to be hudging towards Kerry country, where one can personally oppose abortion but not feel empowered to make that decison for others.
Some nuance I'm missing may be explained by Steele, but whatever the case, I bet the new GOP leader wishes he hadn't done the interview. It was conducted three weeks ago -- before his tangle with el Rushbo gave lefties new fodder and prompted questions about his leadership.
Steele is likely looking for a little quiet time, not to be dealing with angry letters from National Right to Life.
Update:
Steele issued the following statement this morning clarifying his remarks to GQ:
I am pro-life, always have been, always will be.
I tried to present why I am pro life while recognizing that my mother had a "choice" before deciding to put me up for adoption. I thank her every day for supporting life. The strength of the pro life movement lies in choosing life and sharing the wisdom of that choice with those who face difficult circumstances. They did that for my mother and I am here today because they did. In my view Roe vs. Wade was wrongly decided and should be repealed. I realize that there are good people in our party who disagree with me on this issue.
But the Republican Party is and will continue to be the party of life. I support our platform and its call for a Human Life Amendment. It is important that we stand up for the defenseless and that we continue to work to change the hearts and minds of our fellow countrymen so that we can welcome all children and protect them under the law.
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