Lately, when we hear about some politico being “tossed under the bus” it’s been somebody in the Obama administration. But now, who is considering tossing RNC Chairman Michael Steele under the bus? And why? Don’t tell anyone you heard it here, but it might have something to do with the “A” word.

One thing is certain: he’s a lot less media savvy than most of us thought. And since he doesn’t seem to have much skill in organization, we have to ask ourselves why we should support his continued tenure as RNC chair.

Not everyone is seeing Steele’s recent pro-choice leaning comments and thoughts on homosexuality as a disqualifying factor, though. (Well, at least for the times when he’s saying things like that and not the exact opposite.) Liz Mair, the RNC online communications director during the 2008 election, doesn’t see this as the death of the GOP – particularly in terms of “choice” when it comes to being gay.

I’m somewhat shocked and yet pleased to see a sitting RNC Chairman explicitly state that homosexuality is not, in his view, a choice, and take what sounds like a moderately pro-choice, but anti-Roe position. I basically agree with these positions, though it is rare to find a Republican of any prominence who will take both, exactly, and I can’t think of any interview I’ve ever read or heard where they have both been voiced in that sitting. It’s nice to know I may not be the only one (or one of just ten) in the GOP who holds these views.

There should have been room in the GOP tent for moderately pro-choice people (yes… there is such a thing) long ago, and the Republican base which continues to rail against this idea are only ensuring a future in the minority. The idea that majority status will be regained by trying to rally the country against gay people is another game plan destined to keep Democrats in power for the foreseeable future. Steele might have been just the guy to expand the tent if he could have done it carefully and with sensitivity to the priorities of his base. But more than that he would need to be consistent. Showing up on one television program after another saying whatever seems to best fit the venue will probably wind up with Steele checking the axles of the GOP bus in the near future.