Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele on Sunday predicted a huge win for the GOP in the upcoming midterm elections, stuck up for Delaware U.S. candidate Christine O’Donnell, and questioned the Democrats’ attack line that outside money may be playing a role this election cycle.
Making a strong appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Steele told those Democrats making the role of outside money a campaign issue that they should either “put up or shut up”.
“I don’t know what they’re talking about. No one has produced one shred of evidence that this is happening,” said Steele, referring to accusations that outside money will play a major role in swaying the elections.
Steele continued: “When President, then-candidate Obama was asked to disclose some of his donors because there was suspicion of there being foreign sources of money to his campaign, they refused to do it. So don’t give me this high and mighty, holier-than-thou attitude about the special interests flooding the political marketplace.”
“Don’t just make the charge and not put out the evidence,” he said.
When pressed about political advocacy organizations and special interest money, Steele responded with, “How would I know that? I don’t run those organizations, for one…I suspect [they] are complying with the law.”
But Steele’s central message Sunday morning was that Republicans are going to win big on November 2 and take back Congress.
“There is a vibration out there unlike anything I’ve ever seen before,” said Steele, who promised an “unprecedented wave on Election Day that will surprise people.” Steele went on to all but promise a Republican takeover of the House. Of the Senate, he said, “If this wave keeps going, I think you can see the Senate as well.”
Steele also went on the attack against President Obama, even saying at one point “it’s my job to make sure” he is a one-term president.
During a recent campaign stop in California, Obama had some harsh words for Republicans, saying, “I just don’t want to relive the past. The other side is betting on amnesia. It is up to you to show them that you have not forgotten.”
Obama also accused the Republicans in Washington of deciding not to work with his administration and instead trying to obstruct every piece of major legislation.
But of Obama’s speech, Steele said it “sounded more like a pity party than a rally.”
“From health care to the environment to the economy…Republicans offered ideas,” said Steele, that were “summarily rejected.”
Steele also took the opportunity to stick up for Delaware U.S. Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell, whose campaign since her surprise September 14th Republican primary win has been characterized by gaffes, scandals, and misstatements.
“Folks make mistakes,” said Steele. “Lord knows I’m familiar with foot-in-mouth disease.”
But O’Donnell isn’t the only Republican to suffer from foot-in-mouth disease. Colorado U.S. Senate candidate Ken Buck recently equated homosexuality with alcoholism. And Nevada’s Sharron Angle – who leading in polls against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid – faced criticism after telling a group of Hispanic students that some of them “look a little more Asian.”
“Despite those foibles and flaws, people understand where their heart is,” said Steele. “For people to sit back in judgment is misplaced…all that matters is that the people decided this is the standard bearer we want.”