Gibbs: Steele remark is ‘silly’

Gibbs called Steele’s remark that criticism of his
leadership is motivated by race “silly” during a meeting with reporters.

“I think Michael Steele’s problem isn’t the race card, it’s
the credit card,” Gibbs added.

Steele in an interview on ABC’s “Good Morning America” said
he and President Barack Obama are held to a higher and unfair standard because
they are black.

“The honest answer is, yes,” Steele said in response to a
question about whether he has a slimmer margin for error because than past GOP
chairmen because of his race. “Barack Obama has a slimmer margin. A lot of
folks do.”

Criticism of Steele’s leadership has intensified since it
was reported that the Republican National Committee reimbursed a nearly $2,0000
payment to a bondage-themed Los Angeles nightclub where several young donors
attended a party.

Critics say this is just one of the examples of improper
spending by the RNC under Steele.

Supporters note that Steele’s chairmanship has coincided
with a string of high-profile Republican victories, including governor’s races
in three states and Sen. Scott Brown’s upset win in Massachusetts.