The XX Factor: What women really think.

In Defense of Michael Steele

Am I the only one who finds RNC Chairman Michael Steele’s dorky gasp at urban credibility a little endearing? He’s getting flak for trying to give the GOP a “hip-hop makeover.” But isn’t that kind of what it needs—loosening up, a bit of dazzle? Who better for the golf-shirt set to relate to than a middle-aged guy who uses the word bling unironically? And, guess what, the golf-shirt set includes people of all colors who come from diverse economic backgrounds. Steele’s flailing stab at inclusion seems more sincere than what any of his predecessors tried.

We can’t all be as cool as 44; Steele knows he’s the Steve Urkel to Obama’s Stephan Urquelle. And is that so bad? Politicians like Steele and Obama are constantly having to straddle the line between the black community and the mainstream. Calling Steele out for being out of touch with hip-hop culture smacks of the “not black enough” heat both he and Obama have faced—an experience many a bookish black kid can explain in detail.

Steele ran into bigger problems today with his anti-abortion bona fides being called into question by his own party members. Instead of backpedaling about abortion and Rush Limbaugh, he needs to put this plan to build a more ideologically and socially diverse party into overdrive. There should be room under that big GOP tent for everybody. Squares of all stripes need a party to believe in.