New criticism for GOP chair Steel follows Afghan war comments

WASHINGTON — Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) drew criticism and a call for his resignation Friday after saying at a party fundraiser that the United States was on the wrong side of history with its conflict in Afghanistan, a military fight he called "a war of Obama's choosing."

"This is not something the United States had actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in," Steele said in a speech Thursday night in Connecticut in which he slammed President Obama's military strategy.

"It was the president who was trying to be (too) cute by half by flipping a script demonizing Iraq, while saying the battle really should be in Afghanistan," Steele said, according to a video of his remarks that was circulated by Democrats on Friday. "Well, if he's such a student of history, has he not understood that you know that's the one thing you don't do, is engage in a land war in Afghanistan?"

Steele, seeking to clarify his remarks, said Friday afternoon that, "There is no question that America must win the war on terror."

He did not, however, correct his factual error about the war's start.

The war in Afghanistan, which has entered its ninth year, was started by former President George W. Bush in response to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Obama shifted the focus on the war on terrorism from Iraq to Afghanistan and last year announced his plan to send in an additional 30,000 troops.

Steele's comments prompted William Kristol, editor of The Weekly Standard and a leading voice of conservative support for the war in Afghanistan, to call for Steele's resignation as party leader.

"There are, of course, those who think we should pull out of Afghanistan, and they're certainly entitled to make their case," wrote Kristol. "But one of them shouldn't be the chairman of the Republican Party."

Erick Erickson, writing at the conservative blog RedState, said Steele "has lost all moral authority to lead the GOP."

A spokesman for the Democratic National Committee, Brad Woodhouse, said Steele was "betting against our troops and rooting for failure in Afghanistan."

Republican officials dismissed that criticism.

Steele made the remarks at a closed fundraising event for Linda McMahon, the party's candidate for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. Republican officials did not dispute the authenticity of the video.

Steele on Friday did not respond to the call for his resignation. But he sought to make the case that Afghanistan is now Obama's war.

"For the sake of the security of the free world, our country must give our troops the support necessary to win this war," Steele said. "As we have learned throughout history, winning a war in Afghanistan is a difficult task. We must also remember that after the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, it is also a necessary one."

Steele has been prone to gaffes. In the past year, he predicted the GOP won't win House control this fall. He also drew ire when he criticized fellow Republicans in a book that party leaders didn't know he was writing until it was published. His GOP critics were irked further when he told them to "get a life" and "shut up."

Steele's chief of staff also resigned amid accusations of fiscal mismanagement, after a report that nearly $2,000 of party funds was paid to a Hollywood bondage club.