'Meet the Press' transcript for May 17, 2009

MR. STEELE: No, no, no. I think what, I think what we're going to have is the beginning of a very important discussion. I think the governor is absolutely right that there is a building consensus towards something. But there's some key pieces that still remain. The costs, let's start with that. We're talking about an initial down payment of $640-some billion, OK? That's the down payment, it doesn't really get you where you need to be. Number two, in all of the noise that I'm hearing on health care, no one's talking about one additional cost, which is a significant one, and that's tort reform. The litigation that, that attends the medical industry performing their, their duties is not being addressed. The insurance companies also need to be at this table in a real way. Pharmaceutical companies need to be at the table in a real way. So I'm hoping that we're going to have a discussion that makes it affordable, that makes it cost effective, makes it portable, and I think the Republican leadership that wants, also wants to see us address tort reform and, and some other issues...

MR. GREGORY: All right.

GOV. KAINE: Michael, if, if...

MR. STEELE: ...that are no--that are not on the table right now.

GOV. KAINE: If you want to see those addressed and your party does, too, we will get a deal with year, because you've just laid out key components that the president has, has openly dialogued with congressional leadership about.

MR. STEELE: Well, I, I'd love to see the Democrats take a lead on tort reform. That would be really heartening to see.

MR. GREGORY: Part of this is how we define the other side. Do you think that President Obama is a socialist leader?

MR. STEELE: I think President Obama is a leader, and that's all that matters to me. I don't get into the name-calling and all the, all the other rhetoric that, that attends these things. My, my focus is on...

MR. GREGORY: Your party has a meeting; the RNC's going to--wants to rename the Democratic Party, the Democrat Socialist Party.

MR. STEELE: Well, you know, if they do that, they do that. My, my, my role as chairman, however...

MR. STEELE: Right.

MR. GREGORY: ...is to have a conversation with the American people without the name-calling, without the noise making, and that's my focus. And I've been very clear that I don't think that that is an appropriate way to, to express our views on the issues of the day.

MR. GREGORY: But why would they undermine you and move forward on something like that?

MR. STEELE: Well, well, it's not a question--it's not undermining me. Look, you know, you have--as the chairman can tell you, you have legitimate activists in both parties who have very strong passions and feelings, and that's great, and we have a process in which that can be expressed. My responsibility as the chosen leader of the party is to make sure that when we engage in the debates that we do so in a way that the American people can appreciate that we're moving towards progress and success.

MR. GREGORY: All right.

MR. STEELE: That's my job.

MR. GREGORY: Before you go, a week ago the president had a little fun with you at the White House Correspondents' Dinner...

MR. STEELE: Mm-hmm.

MR. GREGORY: ...and this is what he said.

(Videotape, May 9, 2009)

PRES. BARACK OBAMA: Michael Steele is in the house tonight; or as he would say, in the heezie. What's up? Where is Michael? Is--Michael, for the last time, the Republican Party does not qualify for a bailout. Rush Limbaugh does not count as a troubled asset, I'm sorry.

(End videotape)

MR. GREGORY: Good natured, for sure.

MR. STEELE: Yeah, yeah.

MR. GREGORY: But I wonder if you felt at some level the president was mocking some of your attempts to have kind of a hipper outreach program...

MR. STEELE: No. No, no.

MR. GREGORY: ...to African-Americans, other people of color to come to the Republican Party.

MR. STEELE: No. I--that was, that was just good love between two brothers. And I, and I really appreciate the president throwing me a shout-out. It took me totally by surprise. And so this morning I just want to say "what's up?" right back at you, so.

MR. GREGORY: Chairman Steele, Chairman Kaine.

GOV. KAINE: Thanks, David.

MR. GREGORY: Lots more to discuss. We'll leave it here this morning. Thank you both very much.

MR. STEELE: All right.

GOV. KAINE: Yeah.

MR. GREGORY: And coming next, the torture debate; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi clashes with the CIA. Plus, looming battles on health care, national security and the economy. Insights and analysis from our political roundtable, Ron Brownstein, Richard Haass, Jon Meacham and Peggy Noonan are here only on MEET THE PRESS.

(Announcements)

MR. GREGORY: Our roundtable weighs in on the battle between the two political parties, health care, national security and more after this brief commercial break.

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