Why is anyone surprised that a Republican courting African American votes in a liberal state would run away from the president? That's just good politics. How did Southern Democrats fare who stood by President Clinton in 1994? Jack Brooks? Jim Sasser? Ann Richards? Maryland Senate candidate Michael Steele's immediate goal is winning an election, and doing that's a little tough with all of the president's baggage weighing him down. What's all the fuss about? Do loyal Republicans want Steele to campaign with Dick Cheney in Baltimore? Or, alternatively, do they want him to win? Go against political principles, and political parties and political personalities won't bother you. Go against your political party and its leading personalities, and watch people act as though you've betrayed your principles.

I didn't see anything in the article stating that Steele was courting African Americans (who no doubt hate Bush and the republicans.)

Steele is African American, who the GOP has hoped to use to pander to other blacks, by using their own form of affirmative action. I have not gone through every convention, but I seriously doubt that many Lt Governor's give prime time addreses at the GOP Convention, yet Steele gave the most cliche ridden, politically correct, rainbow republican speech that would make Jack Kemp blush. After talking about the "soft bigotry of low expectations" he praised George Bush for passing the No Child Left Behind Bill, as well as government subsidized loans to minority families. This helped Bush get the whopping 9% of the african american vote in the election.

As soon as the open seat came up, the GOP establishment immediately heaped money on him in search of the great black republican hope. I wouldn't call it an abandonment of principles on Steele's part for not wanting to be associated with Bush's failed presidency, but it's not surprising that the Republican establishment that has been singing his praises for the last decade is a little disapointed

His was just before primetime and none of the major networks carried it (at least not in d.c). I rather liked his speech.

Regardless, they wouldn't have given it to him, had he not been black.

The speech was stupid.

The GOP is the stupid party.

the end.