Republican National Committee chair Michael Steele paid a visit to Bellevue on Friday for what was dubbed a “Republican resurgence rally” at the Hyatt Regency.
The former Maryland lieutenant governor – who represents the first African American to hold his position – talked of engaging the community, building a more inclusive GOP, and rejecting big government.
“This is the time and moment for our party to make a noise, but make a proper noise,” he said. “Some of the noises I’ve heard coming out of the party, quite frankly, I don’t like.”
Seele went on to criticize Republicans who have not focused on building support for the party, moving forward, and embracing diversity.
“The noise I’ve heard is one of moaning, groaning, complaining, whining, blaming, name calling, and pretty much being stupid,” he said.
Those comments drew applause from the audience.
Steele went on to bash President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for supporting the $3.6 trillion dollar federal budget.
“This nation cannot sustain that level of spending,” he said.
Several prominent Republicans from throughout the state were also on hand at the rally, encouraging listeners to reverse last year’s routing of Republican candidates.
State Attorney General Rob McKenna ignited the crowd by reliving the “Republican Revolution” of 1994, in which the party gained 54 seats in the U.S. Congress and eight in the Senate.
“I have not seen as exciting a group of candidates and potential candidates since those days,” McKenna said.
But times have changed since then, and Republicans are searching for ways to adapt.
Steele suggested that young Republicans need to do their part in in reversing the GOP’s fortunes. He called youths “not the future of the party,” but rather the “here and right now.”
“They bring gifts, ideas and talents to the table,” he said. “We can no longer afford to shut (them) out.”
Youths and the technology they bring with them boosted Obama’s recent bid for the presidency, as evidenced by his overwhelming support from young voters and netroots activists.
Steele ended his address by encouraging the audience to engage minorities and work on building relationships with them.
“Folks, just show up,” he said.
Steele is one of several minority conservatives – another being Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana – that the GOP has moved into the spotlight, possibly to firm up its image as an inclusive party.
“The Democrats worked hard to portray us as a party exclusively of old white guys,” said Washington Republican Party chair Luke Esser. “(Steele’s) presence and leadership puts the lie to that.”
