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• Michael Steele is the chairman of the Republican National Committee, having been elected by a vote of 91 to 77 on January 30, 2009. Steele is the former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, the chairman of GOPAC—a political action committee devoted to getting Republicans elected—and a noted African-American conservative.

  On a conservative talk radio program on May 9, 2009, Steele made comments about Mitt Romney's bit for presidency, suggesting that base Republicans rejected Romney because he is a Mormon. A Romney spokesperson said "Sometimes when you shoot from the hip you miss the target".MSNBC: GOP watch: Targeting Mitt (May 12, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Born: October 19, 1958, Andrews Air Force BaseUS News and World Report: 10 Things About... (April 7, 2008)
  2. First African-American leader of the Republican PartyABC News: Steele Takes Party Chairmanship (January 30, 2009)
  3. Adopted as an infantUS News and World Report: 10 Things About... (April 7, 2008)
  4. Education: BA International Relations, Johns Hopkins University; Law degree, Georgetown University Law CenterUS News and World Report: ...About Michael Steele (April 7, 2008)
  5. Considered going into the priesthoodUS News and World Report: 10 Things About... (April 7, 2008)
  6. Employed: international law firm of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton; Mills Corps., a real estate development firm; the Steele Group, a consulting firmUS News and World Report: 10 Things About... (April 7, 2008)
  7. 2000: Selected as chairman of the Maryland Republican PartyUS News and World Report: 10 Things About... (April 7, 2008)
  8. 2003: Elected Lt. Governor, the first African-American elected to statewide office in MarylandUS News and World Report: 10 Things About... (April 7, 2008)
  9. 2006: Ran to fill the Senate seat vacated by Paul Sarbanes, but lost to Democrat Ben CardinUS News and World Report: 10 Things About... (April 7, 2008)

• Steele on Hot Button Issues

  Steele has come under fire for an interview he gave to the blog of GQ Magazine in which he discussed abortion and homosexuality, among other hot-button issues.GQ Blog: The Reconstructionist (March 11, 2009) In particular, Steele's contention that abortion is an "individual choice" has drawn intense criticism from his fellow Republicans, including former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, who called Steele's statements "very troubling."HuckPac: Michael Steele's Recent Comments (March 12, 2009)

• Steele vs. Limbaugh

  In February of 2009, popular right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh gave a speech, which he described as his "first national address," to the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC. Some Republicans, including Steele, took issue with some of Limbaugh's points, particularly his hope that President Barack Obama fails in his mission to restructure and reform American government.CNN: Steele: Limbaugh more a performer than GOP leader (March 2, 2009) Steele told CNN days later that he did not consider Limbaugh a leader of the Republican party, but instead thinks of him as "an entertainer" whose show can be "ugly" and "incendiary."CNN: Steele: Limbaugh more a performer than GOP leader (March 2, 2009) Steele later apologized for his comment, noting that he has respect for Limbaugh and meant no offense.Politico: Steele to Rush: I'm sorry (March 2, 2009)

• GOP Hip-Hop Makeover

  Steele has listed among his first projects as chairman of the RNC an effort to attract younger voters, particularly among African-American and Latin demographics, by utilizing hip-hop style and imagery in advertising.Washington Times: Steele: GOP needs 'hip hop' makeover (February 19, 2009) In February of 2009, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann of Minnesota was roundly mocked and criticized by liberal blogs for praising Steele's speech at CPAC using the phrase "You be da man!"Talking Points Memo: Bachmann To Steele: "You Be Da Man!" (February 27, 2009)

• Quote

  "Our challenge lies not in beating Democrats, but in uniting around a message that solidifies our ranks and attracts new people to our cause. We have to listen to what Americans are telling us about their hopes, desires and needs, and then translate that message into proposals for meaningful action squarely grounded in values we Republicans have always stood for." Michael SteeleBaltimore Sun: Michael Steele's Rx for the GOP (November 11, 2008)

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Maryland | Newt Gingrich | Republican Party | Johns Hopkins University | Georgetown University | Ben Cardin

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