Steele blasts Republican critics on radio: 'I've had enough of it ... get a life'

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele is not happy with criticism he's taking from fellow Republicans.

In a startling radio interview, Steele unleashed on GOPers who have questioned his leadership of the party:

"I'm telling them and I’m looking them in the eye and say I’ve had enough of it. If you don’t want me in the job, fire me. But until then, shut up. Get with the program or get out of the way," Steele told told ABC News Radio in an interview Thursday.

There's more:

“I tell them to get a life. That’s old Washington, that’s old ways, and I don’t represent that, and that kills them."

[...]

“Some of my prior chairmen who are running their mouths right now — how many farm teams did you build as chairman?”

“All I’m saying is cut it out. If we have party differences that are inside the party, let’s deal with them inside the party. You don’t see the Democrats running around trying to beat up their national chairman or embarrass him.”

Steele has taken heat this week for predicting that Republicans would not take back the House in 2010. Even if they did win, Steele suggested, they may not be ready to lead.

Those comments have angered Republicans who are hoping that popular discontent about the economy wil lead to big wins in the midterms.