Michael Steele: 'I've Made Mistakes'

Michael Steele today sought to put to rest the recent troubles of himself and the Republican National Committee, reports Fox News. "I'm the first here to admit I've made mistakes, and it's been incumbent upon me to face facts, shoulder that burden, make the necessary changes—and move on," he told the Southern Republican Leadership Conference. If Republicans keep pointing fingers at each other, they're falling for a Democratic "trap."

The speech "should at least for now, put this latest episode of self-inflicted injury behind" him, writes Mike Madden at Salon. He also notes that Steele got a standing ovation—"from, oh, at least a few dozen people." The ballroom was half-empty for Steele's speech, the final one of the conference. "Turns out the Republican National Committee chairman wasn't exactly a big draw (though the press rows were full, and cameras were rolling)."