Gibbs: Steele remark is 'silly'

GOP Chairman Michael Steele shouldn’t blame criticism of his actions on race, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Monday.

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.