Celinda Lake

'No, I mean their mega-consultants -- not my mega-consultants who also happen to be theirs.'

Former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele appeared on National Public Radio last week to analyze the 2008 presidential race and the candidates’ positions on the war in Iraq and solving the economic crisis.

On the heels of Sen. John McCain’s economic address, Steele acknowledged that the American economy is currently in a "recession" while discussing the positive aspects Republican nominee’s plan. He also defended McCain for saying that the United States might be occupying Iraq for “100 years.”

“Let’s put this ‘100 year’ comment into context,” Steele said, “because the Dems love using that line as a throwaway. The reality of it is 60 years after World War II, we’re still there. 50 years after Korea we’re still there…. I think what John McCain is saying is to be realistic, particularly in this region of the world, given the hostile territory that it is.”