TJMS: RNC Chair Michael Steele Talks Iraq War, What The GOP Will Do For African-Americans and The Black Farmers Settlement
Roland Martin talked with RNC Chairman Michael Steele on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, Wednesday September 1st, 2010.
Roland began the interview by asking Steele about President Obama’s address and ending the war in Iraq. Steele told Roland that last night President Obama touched on a key point saying that an effort to bring some degree of stabilization to Iraq has been meet. Steel highlighted the troop surge by stating, “…as a result of the surge under the Bush term to actually push more deeply in to secure the province better went a long way to doing that.”
Steel explained that one of the concerns he had with President Obama’s speech is that the President should have laid out what the next steps are, what is the United States role in the war on terrorism in dealing with our partners and those who work against us in that part of the world. Steele said, “In that sense … I thought it was a missed opportunity to directly define for the American people the next steps. Not just in Afghanistan.” Steele also said, “We’ve got serious issues that are still on the table with North Korea.” Steel added, “We can not take our eyes off what is going on in Iran.”
Steele expressed concern over the status of Iraq saying, “… while everyone notes the turning of a page, they do so holding their breath because they’re not sure how long or how sustainable this new climate will be there.”
When the conversation switched to the economy, Roland asked Steele how can Republicans not support a small business jobs bill, which we know that’s where most jobs come from in this country? Steel said, “I agree it sounds great on the headline on top of newspaper, but the reality of it is, look at the bill and does it do for small businesses what small businesses need to have done.” Steel continued in his response saying, “How much credit and capital is it made accessible to them,” he also questioned the regulatory burdens put on those small businesses as well as the new regulatory burdens that will begin in January when the fiscal note on health care is due.
Tom Joyner asked Steele what are the Republicans doing for Black people. Steele said,” The Republicans aren’t the ones who control the committees and the votes and the programs that are coming out of the Administration.” He noted that “… that will all change come January of next year.”
The Black farmers’ settlement was also discussed during the interview with Steele stating “… Harry Reid could move this thing in a heartbeat. The President could release $100 million that’s already free and clear in a heartbeat. They haven’t. Republicans are working with John Boyd and the Black farmers to get that done.” Roland responded by explaining that $100 million could be released but that sill would leave $1.4 billion owed to the Black farmers.
Listen to Roland Martin’s entire TJMS interview with RNC Chair Michael Steele as they discuss the end of the Iraq War, 2010 midterm elections and the Black farmers settlement.
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