Republican National Committee Chairman and Muppet impersonator Michael Steele had to cancel an appearance today before a national meeting of black journalists because of a bad case of food poisoning.

A RNC spokesman said in an email to CNN,

"While traveling out West the Chairman came down with a bad case of food poisoning. He is disappointed to miss the opportunity to take part in this valuable dialogue and looks forward to engaging with NABJ in the very near future."