Video: Michael Steele at Philander Smith College
RNC Chairman Michael Steele spoke last night in Little Rock at Philander Smith College. Max Brantley reports this morning on one incident captured by my friend Jack Somers in the video clip above. In short, Matt White, owner of White Water Tavern, asks Steele why Republicans are blocking health care reform. Steele replies that they don’t have the votes to block health care reform. White tries to respond and has his mic turned off and is escorted out of the building.
Brantley has a much longer report but I will let you watch the video for yourself.
September 22nd, 2009 at 9:40 am
What is the fuss about? Neither the pub owner nor the chairman said anything inappropriate. The issue (which Max and the pub owner have not addressed): Who had control of the mics and who was in charge of escorting the pub owner? If these were the responsibilities of the chairman, then maybe there is a tiny, insignificant story. If these were the responsibilities of the college, then there is no story.
September 22nd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
I like the comments from all the people on The Times blog saying that this is all heavy handed censorship by Republicans!!!!
Let’s see; Democrats control the US House and Senate and the White House.
They control the Arkansas House and Senate and the Governor’s office.
They control Pulaski County and Little Rock. And I’m pretty certain that Philander Smith is not a bastian of conservative thought.
Michael Steele is a minority in race and in political party. But somehow he clearly has this secret ability to have this guy ejected. His illumanati like power defies logic!
Really, you wonder if these people are liars or if they are stupid. I vote stupid.
September 22nd, 2009 at 4:56 pm
So Steele says MLK would be disappointed in both parties – what is HE doing to change that as it relates to the Republicans?
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:09 am
Are you kidding me? Did you even actually read the article from Arkansas Time??
“Nice irony that Steele, who has decried federal stimulus payments to campuses like Philander (which used its money to upgrade lighting), got a handsome Philander stimulus — A SPEAKER’S FEE — to appear.”
http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/2009/09/bless_the_closed_mic.aspx
So to claim since Democrats control Arkansas State House, Senate, and Govorners office is futile of an argument considering the school is a private college. Do you see the word Community in the schools name, Philander Smith College?
Granted I will side legally with the schools right to regulate the dissenter due to grounds it is a private establishment. Yet, politically its completely absurd to give boot to a person being civil, intelligent, and calm manner of debate. We tolerated the tea bagger screaming fest and kicked out the ones who were violent. I can’t recall any of the screaming anti-health care people being booted out.
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:41 am
I just wish I could have been there on Monday night. I agree, that bar owner should not have been ushered out, he said nothing out of line, but it was not Steele, or his group (the Republicans) who had the man ushered out.
September 23rd, 2009 at 12:25 pm
It is interesting that RNC chairman Michael Steele did not stand up for Matt White’s constitutional right to freedom of speech and request that Matt White be allowed to answer the question Steele asked White, “Why are you shaking your head?”
MLK fought and died for the rights of ALL people to be protected from prejudice, authoritarian oppression and governmental abuse of its citizens. It is shocking to find this kind of oppression of free speech at a minority college just as MLK is being discussed.
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:21 pm
When I say, “I like the comments from all the people on The Times blog,” one would almost think that I WAS REFERRING TO THE COMMENTS FROM ALL THE PEOPLE ON THE TIMES BLOG. But clearly, no, I was talking about what Max wrote and not THE COMMENTS FROM ALL THE PEOPLE ON THE TIMES BLOG. Obviously, Max is a plurality, thus I refered to him as ALL.
You know, the selfsame Max that pointed out that this private institution got money from the Obama administration? But no,this private institution is clearly under the control of the Jack Booted Republicans. Clearly Philander Smith is under the totalitarian control of Steelt. This traditionally black college, land-grant college that obviously is obviousl an island, free of the laws of this land and the influence of the President, Congress, Legislature, County and City. Yes, yes. Clearly, Michael Steele can bring his iron fist down on this lowly barkeep and squelch his right and the US Department of Justice can do nothing about it.
So, anyone want to vote? The choice is:
a) Liars
b) Stupid
The polls are now open….
September 24th, 2009 at 8:25 am
I talked to a friend who was there, and he said that this situation is entirely the college’s fault.
September 27th, 2009 at 3:41 am
why does this guy or whoever still has a job the bill of rights allows you freedom of speech. this man did not pose a threat african americans to somewhat will listen to some things to a point and will agree. i disagree with the man being ushered out and would hope that he will file battery charges against the guy who ushered him out because he did bump him. simple hand gesture showing him to door was enough