DON'T BLAME MICHAEL STEELE!

"Anybody But OBAMA" has been the mantra of the republican party. The phrase became the standard response for candidates and GOP voters alike. No matter how vociferously, the GOP candidates attacked each other, they were obligated to add the highly conditional qualifier; "Anybody But Obama"! Whereas, republican voters saw the phrase as a constant reminder of their unifying first priority, the GOP establishment saw it as a blanket permission to place their thumbs on the primary scales and pick the GOP nominee. When they heard the term "ANYBODY" they took it very literally.The result has been a systematic, disregard for the desires of the party's most loyal voters. In previous years this wouldn't have caused many problems in a party designed to cater to the demands of it's established hierarchy. But the rise of the Tea Party has disoriented the traditional dynamics of the republican party. The party's base felt empowered, and resented the pattern of neglect and disrespect. They were no longer willing to accept their traditional role as the faithful but dogged spouses of the party. Their complaints found a sympathetic ear, in Michael Steele who made more than a few modifications to the traditional primary schedule. He tilted the party's, generally stilted contests in favor of the base.

The RNC under the former Party Chairman, lengthened the schedule, and spaced out the contests in an effort to make them more responsive to the Party's loyalists. The changes worked precisely as planned. The base is having it's say, but that's starting to worry many in the GOP. They wanted a very traditional, tidy, and short contest. Instead they have been subjected to numerous debates, intense campaigning and emotionally invested supporters that have become unrelenting in support of their candidates. This is not at all-like, republicans! And if it all backfires on the GOP, Michael Steele will get the blame. Instead of faulting the flawed candidates, or even the hubris of an establishment that took the loyalty of it’s base for granted, Michael Steele will be vilified. The narrative will be that the gaffe prone Chairman, goofed up-again! HE cost US the Presidency! Fingers are already starting to be pointed his way and the frustrated supporters of Mitt Romney are already slamming Steele's reforms. Chris Christie, called Steele's reforms, "the dumbest idea anyone has ever had". The thankless job of party chairman has long since past from Steele's hands but the constant criticism that came with the title has not. Steele was never appreciated for the structural support he initiated that made the success of the Tea Party possible (Electoral sweeps don’t organize themselves) and now he will become the scapegoat for giving the Tea Party it's voice in the GOP primary.