Meghan McCain Puts Words in Michael Steele's Mouth

Meghan McCain weighed in on Arlen Specter's deSpection (eh?) to the Democratic Party, expressing disappointment that the Pennsylvania Senator didn't stand his ground, I was more interested in Meghan's advice for Party Chairman Michael Steele. She criticized Steele's reaction to Specter:

What's left is the same, tired rhetoric conservatives simply cannot seem to get past. Even someone like Mr. Steele-who was elected to be a more inclusive, open voice for Republicans-can't escape it.

His statement speaks volumes about the kind of party the GOP has become. Sen. Specter's voting record may not please many Republicans all the time. But you can't avoid the fact that he's been re-elected four times-his votes clearly mean something to the people of Pennsylvania. Steele also ignored the real opportunity Specter's decision presented.

This is exactly what I have said all along about the Republicans' reaction to Meghan McCain. Both she and Specter present them with a golden opportunity to do the one thing they desperately need to do: grow their party. Meghan references the disastrous party ID numbers that just came out, proof positive that the party needs to get less narrow, not more.

Meghan, God bless her, even re-writes Steele's statement for him, as if the GOP is at all interested in good ideas these days:

"It is unfortunate Senator Specter has decided to leave the Republican Party he has called home for decades. It's also unfortunate that he most likely did so for political purposes. But we will use this as an opportunity to acknowledge today's GOP has its work cut out for it. We clearly need to work on defining who we are, not just by our words, but by our actions. This is how we will reverse the shrinking of our ranks and invite old and new members to the table so that Republicans' core goals can help lead America once again."

I like my reaction to Specter's announcement better:

Maybe with Ernst Stavro Cheney out of the White House, he realized that that was his last name, and not his party affiliation. But seriously, folks. The Democrats have 60 votes in the Senate now (yeah, stick a fork in Coleman), so if they can get Meghan McCain, they'll really have something.

While the Democrats would be lucky to have Meghan McCain, I'm pretty sure she gagged a little when she read that. This is the thing conservatives don't get about her. She is connected to the Republican Party by more than just her bloodline. Meghan McCain believes in something, and they would do well to listen and figure out what that is.

Just in case, though, the door is open, Meghan.

Tommy on: Daily Dose:

• Rushing to Conclusions
• Robert Gibbs' Magical Powers and Other Observations
• Seniors Handcuff Selves to White House - No, Really
• The Republicans' First 100 Days


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