The Notorious G.O.P.

They can hire Jay-Z and Nas to perform at all future College Republicans mixers. They could have J.C. Watts address a crowd with "Atomic Dog" playing over the loudspeaker. They could even have Daddy Yankee vouch for them at all political rallies.

Problem is, none of this has anything to do with their message. And therein lies the rub.

So when Michael Steele tries to go all backpack b-boy on us, talking about going "beyond the cutting edge" and invoking tired slanguage, we should all know better. One can only guess his next interview will be with The Source and not noted hip-hop journal, The Washington Times:

"We need messengers to really capture that region - young, Hispanic, black, a cross section ... We want to convey that the modern-day GOP looks like the conservative party that stands on principles. But we want to apply them to urban-surburban hip-hop settings."

But, he elaborated with a laugh, "we need to uptick our image with everyone, including one-armed midgets."

Ugh. Awkwaaaaard. Maybe his next big idea will be a D.J. Premier-produced version of "Barack the Magic Negro."

Once and again, I'll believe Steele and his, uh, posse, when he turns these lofty words into substantive political action. Beats and "bling-bling" and boomboxes aren't going to be enough. I'll meet them out there beyond "the cutting edge" - wherever that is - if they can honestly pull it off.

But before they start with the hip-hop makeover, a word of advice: for credibility's sake, please stop sending George "Macaca" Allen out on minority outreach efforts. He's really not helping your newfound cause.

h/t to Keith Olbermann for the title of the post.

UPDATE: Maria is right - I failed on my promise already. And, no, I haven't fallen off the wagon.

Food: Couple handfuls of almonds, handful of dried cherries, grilled chicken salad with Ranch dressing on the side, Target brand pomegranate fruit bar, Target brand tropical fruit strip, grilled chicken with grilled vegetables and a small cup of broccoli and cheese soup (believe it or not, this cuts the muster under my "regiment"). I also ate two - only two - chocolate-covered cherries. Dammit.

Workout: 20 minutes on the treadmill, 30 minutes of weightlifting. (no workout on Friday).