What on earth was Michael Steele thinking? With Democrat vote maximizing ACORN on the rocks, he offers praise and excuses. ACORN president Bertha Lewis gave a National Press Club speech portraying ACORN as a victim that provoked even liberal Dana Milbank to scoff. But somehow, the GOP's chairman sees ACORN through rose-colored lenses.

In a video of Steele from a Sept. 21 speech that surfaced on a left-wing website the day of Lewis's speech, Steele praises Lewis. "The current head of the organization, she's done a phenomenal job getting out in front of it," Steele said. "I applaud her. I take her at her word that she wants to work to make sure that the bad apples are thrown out."

Steele said he respects ACORN's history of "working in the community and helping the poor."

So much for the Republican boogeyman.