In recent months, RNC Chairman Michael Steele had often expressed his disapproval towards President Obama, and his remarks are likely less than politically friendly. In his most recent spat of hatred, he labeled America’s first African American president as “the magic negro.”
While filling in on Bill Bennett’s radio show on May 1, Steele took a call from a listener who referenced a quote from a previous L.A. Times article, in which Obama was referred to as “the magic negro.” Many would think that the caller’s remark should have been rejected out of respect for the president, however, Steele did the contrary and agreed.
According to The Huffington Post, the conversation was as follows:
CALLER: It’s just like the LA Times said last year, or two years ago — he is the magic Negro.
STEELE: Yeah he is — [laughter]. You read that too, huh?
CALLER: Oh yeah. I read that too. And even when things go wrong, he still manages to come out smelling like a rose.
STEELE: Well, yeah. And it’s because he’s getting unprecedented coverage — cover — by the media.
Steele’s reaction is far cry from the outrage he displayed when RNC chairman Chip Saltsman circulated a CD that included a parody song “Barack the Magic Negro,” which was inspired by the L.A. Times Article. Saltsman argued that the song was recorded for kicks and was not meant to demean the president. On the other hand, Steele said the song was done in poor taste and claimed it “doesn’t help at all … it reinforces a negative stereotype of the party.”
As earlier reported, Steele said he is “done” reaching out to President Obama, recanting his previous efforts to initiate dialogue because Obama “has got a little thing about me that I haven’t quite figured out.” Reporters and spectators alike have often alluded to a sense of jealousy behind Steele’s negative commentary but when asked, he sharply rejected the notion.
“What would I be jealous of? I’m chairman of the RNC, so, what’s your point? We both have leadership responsibilities and roles. I’m not equating the two. My point is: you are on your track. I’m on my track. You do your thing. I do my thing.”
The Chairman’s awkward gaffe coincides with his peculiar poise when addressing media and the public. Perhaps the most bizarre encounter took place in 2002 when Oreo Cookies were thrown at him while he was speaking at a gubernatorial debate, suggesting racist innuendos .
Steele’s response, “Maybe it was just someone having their snack, but it was there. If it happened, shame on them if they are that immature and that threatened by me.”
