TASK DEFINITION: Given a sentence and an entity, the task is to select the authors sentiment towards the enity. Sentiments can be Positive, Neutral and Negative. Select Positive if the sentence expresses a positive view towards the given entity or praises its quality or skills. Select Neutral if the sentence expresses no clear view towards the entity or has equal amounts of positive and negative statements or expressing some fact/quote by someone else. Select Negative if the sentence expresses a negative view towards like harsh remarks, criticizing entities action/decision etc. Note that URLs in the text have been replaced with [Link].
PROBLEM: What is the sentiment of the following document towards the entity Michael Steele ?  Steele was considered an outsider because he wasn't part of the RNC's clubby environment. His brash style and unconventional ways irked establishment Republicans from the outset. Questions about his financial management of the RNC followed.

SOLUTION: Positive

PROBLEM: What is the sentiment of the following document towards the entity Putin ? No group has taken responsibility for the explosion. A spokesman for  Putin   Dmitry Peskov  would not say why authorities believed it to be terrorism  but said because the bomb was packed with shrapnel proved it "was a terrorist attack anyway." Investigators said the device contained 7 ounces of explosives.

SOLUTION: Neutral

PROBLEM: What is the sentiment of the following document towards the entity Mariah Carey ? Mariah Carey will perform again on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve " hosted by Ryan Seacrest  after a bungled performance last year.

SOLUTION:
Neutral