TPM LiveWire
Steele On Bipartisanship: Can We Have A Rodney King Moment?
Rachel Slajda | October 14, 2009, 12:02PM
RNC Chairman Michael Steele
Share
Send to a friend!
Appearing on Fox this morning to talk health care reform, Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele offered two contradictory -- and somewhat baffling -- metaphors for bipartisanship.
"I'm not trying to be an obstructionist here. To the contrary, I'm saying, Can we all get in the room and have a Rodney King moment?" he said. He was referring to King's famous "Can we all get along?" line following the 1992 Los Angeles race riots sparked by the acquittal of the police officers who beat King.
Later in the interview, Steele said he is indeed obstructing health care reform, calling himself the "cow on the tracks." The Fox anchor had noted that Democrats are saying the health care reform train has "already left the station" and "Republicans better jump on board."
"Well, I'm the cow on the tracks. You're gonna have to stop that train to get this cow off the track to move forward," Steele said. "They told us in June that there would be a health care bill on the president's desk on Aug. 1. I think our efforts helped change that dynamic, and our efforts this fall will continue to change that dynamic."
Video after the jump.
And when Steele elaborated on the "Rodney King moment," he said he wanted everyone to "work toward something that reflects the common sense, bottom-up approach that the voters, and certainly the insurers of our country, you, me and others, want to be done."
Late update: A few minutes after this appearance, Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) made the train analogy on CNN. In Cow v. Train, who will win? Watch:
Join the Conversation!
Leave a comment
Follow us!
Most Popular
- Harry Reid, and What Happened to the Public Option
- Sarah Palin Goes Rogue With Bill O'Reilly
- Where Does This Leave Us?
- Lieberman Repeats Claim That Public Option Not Part Of 2008 Presidential Campaign
- Senate Agrees To Debate Health Care Bill
- Stewart Takes Down KSM Trial Fearmongerers
- Backfire! NC GOP-er Delivers Anti-Republican Survey Comments To Dem Gov
- Internal AP Memo Thanks Writers For Successful 'Literary Treasure Hunt' In Finding Sarah Palin's Book
- Reid Slams Broder As A Retiree Who 'Writes A Column Once In A While'
- 'President Or Jihad?' Billboard Replaces Birther Sign In CO
- Lieberman Repeats Claim That Public Option Not Part Of 2008 Presidential Campaign
- Senate Agrees To Debate Health Care Bill
- Is Everybody Disappointed In Obama?
- Bernie Sanders: 'My Vote For The Final Bill Is By No Means Guaranteed'
- November 22
- I Call Bullshit.
- HCAN: "It's a Shame Not a Single Republican" Voted To Allow Debate
- Steele: 'Moderate Democrats Sacrificed Their Principles'
- THE EXPERT AS THE DANGEROUS WHORE
- Intel Inside? Prove It.
- Where Does This Leave Us?
- Filibuster Thwarted ... For Now
- I Call Bullshit.
- Is Everybody Disappointed In Obama?
- Establishment Reality
- THE EXPERT AS THE DANGEROUS WHORE
- The Cast Has Assembled
- Bernie Sanders: I Want My Leverage!
- Clinton Not Attending Health Care Event Because it's Politicized?
- Time to contact the FCC
TPM Stories Now Surging on Digg.com
TPM Top News
© 2009 TPM Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
nova voter
October 14, 2009 12:35 PM
OR ... you could just flatten the stupid-ass cow that stands obliviously in the middle of railroad tracks while a loud, powerful freight train is barreling toward it. and then, if there's anything left, you could have a cook-out and make a nice leather ottoman.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Gopherit
October 14, 2009 1:00 PM in reply to nova voter
That, and the Rodney King analogy is priceless. Yes, keep it up Michael, and a bunch of white republicans are going to kick the shit out of you with nightsticks of political pain.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jeffgee
October 14, 2009 2:26 PM in reply to Gopherit
Yeah. Did he have the shit beaten out of him?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Cal Gal
October 14, 2009 5:42 PM in reply to jeffgee
Well, the ReThugs have been TRYING to kick the shit out of Obama since before the election. I assumed that's what he meant.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Fuddnik
October 14, 2009 3:21 PM in reply to nova voter
As a retired Locomotive Engineer, let me say that I've never splattered a cow with a train, but I've really mangled a lot of trucks. Surprisingly, no injuries.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
3star2nr
October 14, 2009 5:22 PM in reply to nova voter
im going off thee rails on a crazy train
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
EH
October 14, 2009 12:35 PM
I agree with part of what he says. Since 70-something percent of the US supports a straight-up public option, then that should be the centerpiece of health-care reform. I haven't seem any polls on repealing the insurance industry's antitrust exemption, but if the people want it, then I'll stand with Mr. Steele in calling for its immediate passage.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
truthspeaker
October 15, 2009 7:30 AM in reply to EH
Its easy to tell who is a repug: they can't spell. Go home to Faux pls.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
docrocktex
October 14, 2009 12:46 PM
Rodney King? How does he manage to put his foot in his mouth so much?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
johnmccsf
October 14, 2009 12:50 PM
Here's what happens to an elephant
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ujk9GTedwW8/SAd7lPbuZRI/AAAAAAAAIz8/Uvzlenu8QL4/s400/_41053156_elephant-afp416.jpg
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
eric the red
October 14, 2009 12:51 PM
Cowcatcher:
http://www.locomotivegeneral.com/generalparts/pages/CowCatcher.htm
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Gopherit
October 14, 2009 1:13 PM in reply to eric the red
Right. No one stops for cows, Mike.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
johnbwarner
October 14, 2009 12:55 PM
I thought Steele said not too long ago that he doesn't "do" policy. What up? You changing the game?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ondioline
October 14, 2009 1:04 PM in reply to johnbwarner
WOW! That was a thing of beauty! Game, set, match, J.B. Warner!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
wcollar
October 14, 2009 1:00 PM
Cow..... Train?
Isn't that like Bug, meet windshield?
I love the mental image it conjures up.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
cwnidog
October 14, 2009 5:35 PM in reply to wcollar
I don't think that worked out really well for the cow.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
cwnidog
October 14, 2009 5:36 PM in reply to cwnidog
OOps! That reply was intended fro glipsnort
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
glipsnort
October 14, 2009 1:17 PM
Cow meets train:
http://www.videosift.com/video/TRAIN-versus-COW
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Gopherit
October 14, 2009 1:31 PM in reply to glipsnort
that "thud" almost had me fall out of my chair at work. Dumb F%$^er, indeed.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
commie atheist
October 14, 2009 1:31 PM in reply to glipsnort
The engineer's comment on that video applies perfectly to Steele (and the rest of the Republican Party, for that matter).
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
hunter
October 14, 2009 4:39 PM in reply to glipsnort
Oh, that's beautiful. Perfect Daily Show clip for tonight...Steele's comments followed by that video.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ohyeathatsright
October 14, 2009 5:38 PM in reply to glipsnort
Thanks for the find! Awesome.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
East Coast Aussie
October 14, 2009 7:50 PM in reply to glipsnort
Very relevent vid. Not only does it depict Steele's encounter with the HCR train, but the operator also verbally refers to Steele too!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
johnbwarner
October 14, 2009 1:19 PM
Thanks ondio and props to wcollar for bug, meet windshield. I like.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
SBG
October 14, 2009 1:20 PM
And when that train hits you, you are going to be Blood on the Tracks.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
johnbwarner
October 14, 2009 1:30 PM in reply to SBG
And let us not talk falsely (health care) now, the hour is getting late.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
SantaCruz
October 14, 2009 1:20 PM
A Rodney King moment? Does that mean Mr. Steele is going to drive 100 mph in a Hyundai and then get tasered by members of his own party?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Schmed
October 14, 2009 1:26 PM
The Original Rodney King Moment
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
commie atheist
October 14, 2009 1:33 PM in reply to Schmed
Michael Steele has been doing a Rodney King on himself since he took over his current job.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Cool Blue Reason
October 14, 2009 1:32 PM
I love how he responds to charges of obstructionism by describing himself as a literal obstruction.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Cal Gal
October 14, 2009 5:50 PM in reply to Cool Blue Reason
Can it be an obstruction if it doesn't actual obstruct anything? That's the analogy of the cow on the tracks.
If he wanted an example of something that COULD stop a train, maybe he should use an SUV, because in addition to being a wasteful, bloated, global-warming-causing vehicle, an SUV really DID derail a train in LA. And since that SUV killed and injured many aboard the train, it lines up perfectly with the ReThug position on health care reform.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Doofus
October 14, 2009 2:04 PM
What would we do without the daily belly laugh that is Michael Steele? The world certainly would be a less amusing place.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
East Coast Aussie
October 14, 2009 7:54 PM in reply to Doofus
We've still got Bachmann, for now...
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Vas
October 14, 2009 2:09 PM
So he wants to get beaten by the police before being run over by a train?
Nice.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
NEKLaw
October 14, 2009 2:09 PM
Trains handle cows with a "cow catcher." A cow catcher is a V shaped device mounted at the front of the engine. A cow catcher does not actually catch the cow, nor does it flatten it. Instead, it lifts the cow and throws it out of the way.
Seems right.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
kunda311
October 14, 2009 2:13 PM
God bless Michael Steele. He is the living, walking embodiment of the expression "the gift that keeps on giving."
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
LFC
October 14, 2009 2:37 PM
Is the GOP soooooo desperate to put a black man on display in a prominent position (as, dare I say, a "token"?) that they'll stick with a complete and utter incompetent who really needs to keep his mouth shut?
I don't see the Dems putting Al Sharpton in charge of the DNC any time soon.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Doofus
October 14, 2009 2:44 PM in reply to LFC
If Steele is forced out, there's always Alan Keyes to step into the breach. A seamless transition, as it were.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Hussein Stemper
October 14, 2009 4:35 PM in reply to LFC
True, dat. If the GOP really trusted the Man of Steele, they'd give him back the keys to the RNC cash register.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Cal Gal
October 14, 2009 5:52 PM in reply to LFC
Sarah Palin needs a job.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
GTFOOH
October 14, 2009 2:42 PM
Like Rodney, this guy is smoking something...
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
rbe1
October 14, 2009 2:43 PM
I get it ! Steele is actually an experimental Japanese robot, right ?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
LFC
October 14, 2009 2:49 PM in reply to rbe1
Not a chance. When it comes to electronics, the Japanese are rather competent. They'd never release a product this flawed, unless perhaps it was meant to be sold at a joke and novelty shop.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
writergal
October 14, 2009 3:18 PM
A day without republican lunacy is a day without sunshine.
How I love to laugh at Michael Steele.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
3star2nr
October 14, 2009 5:36 PM
i agree We should get a couple white cops to beat the shit out of him
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Winston Smith
October 14, 2009 5:57 PM
Steele makes Bachmann seem intelligent and informed.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
cwnidog
October 14, 2009 10:51 PM
Mikey would like to have a "Rodney King Moment" so he can help the GOP have an "Abner Louima Moment" with the rest of us.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?