Michael Steele's First 100 Days as GOP Chairman a Mixed Bag

By: Michael H. Cottman

For Michael Steele, the embattled, slang-talking chairman of the Republican National Committee, life in the first 100 days of his tenure has been hard out there for a pimp.

Steele, under fire from GOP conservatives since he took the job in January, has surprised and angered many by risking overexposure in the media and making a series of high-profile gaffes during nearly every national interview.

Many Republicans argue that Steele should cut back significantly on his media appearances while others are not comfortable with Steele’s continued use of hip-hop slang in response to serious questions about the GOP’s vision for the nation.

Steele, the first African-American to be elected as the Republican Party’s chairman, has offered these samplings in his first 100 days in office: He referred to President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plan as “bling bling;” said his public relations plan to recruit younger voters is “off the hook;” said he wants to send out some “slum love” to Republican Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who is of Indian descent, and recently told a reporter, “that’s how we roll,” when answering a question about the RNC. In challenges to Obama, Steele has asked, "How do you like me now?"

And last week, in yet another volatile Steele controversy, the GOP chairman agreed with a radio caller’s characterization of Obama as “the magic Negro.”