Bill Kristol Calls for Michael Steele's Resignation: Steele Tries to Recover

The Weekly Standard's Bill Kristol asked Michael Steele to resign his position as Chairman of the Republican party, after saying Afghanistan is a "war of Obama's choosing."

Michael Steele

Steele's exact words:

"Keep in mind again, federal candidates, this was a war of Obama's choosing. This was not something that the United States had actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in." And, "if [Obama] is 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?"

What was Steele thinking? He has had some gaffes in the past but this one shows a blatant ignorance of the war in Afghanistan.

Kristol's retort:

Needless to say, the war in Afghanistan was not "a war of Obama’s choosing." It has been prosecuted by the United States under Presidents Bush and Obama. Republicans have consistently supported the effort. Indeed, as the DNC Communications Director (of all people) has said, your statement "puts [you] at odds with about 100 percent of the Republican Party."

Steele has tried to answer. The Weekly Standard has printed a new statement, time-stamped 4:10 p.m. EDT July 2, 2010. Read it here. It answers nothing, but does make clear there is no way Steele could 'splain himself.