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'''Michael Stephen Steele''' (born October 19, 1958) is an American [[U.S. Republican Party|Republican]] politician and conservative [[political pundit]]. Steele served as the seventh [[Lieutenant Governor of Maryland]] from 2003 to 2007; he is the first African-American elected to statewide office in [[Maryland]]. As Lieutenant Governor, Steele chaired the [[Minority Business Enterprise]] task force, actively promoting an expansion of [[affirmative action]] in the corporate world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.issues2000.org/Domestic/Michael_Steele_Civil_Rights.htm|title=Michael Steele on Civil Rights|work=issues2000.org|publisher=On the Issues|accessdate=January 28, 2010}}</ref> Steele also served as Chairperson of the [[Republican National Committee]] (RNC) from January 2009 until January 2011; he is the first African-American to serve in that capacity.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28914110/|title=Michael Steele wins RNC chairmanship race|agency=Associated Press|date=January 30, 2009|work=msnbc.msn.com|publisher=MSNBC|accessdate=November 13, 2009 }}</ref>
'''Michael Stephen Steele''' (born October 19, 1958) is an American conservative political commentator and former [[U.S. Republican Party|Republican]] party politician. Steele served as the seventh [[Lieutenant Governor of Maryland]] from 2003 to 2007; he was the first African-American elected to statewide office in [[Maryland]]. As Lieutenant Governor, Steele chaired the [[Minority Business Enterprise]] task force, actively promoting an expansion of [[affirmative action]] in the corporate world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.issues2000.org/Domestic/Michael_Steele_Civil_Rights.htm|title=Michael Steele on Civil Rights|work=issues2000.org|publisher=On the Issues|accessdate=January 28, 2010}}</ref> Steele also served as Chairperson of the [[Republican National Committee]] (RNC) from January 2009 until January 2011; he was the first African-American to serve in that capacity.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28914110/|title=Michael Steele wins RNC chairmanship race|agency=Associated Press|date=January 30, 2009|work=msnbc.msn.com|publisher=MSNBC|accessdate=November 13, 2009 }}</ref>


In the 1990s, Steele worked as a partner at the international law firm of [[LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae]] and co-founded the [[Republican Leadership Council]], a "[[fiscal conservatism|fiscally conservative]] and socially inclusive" [[political action committee]].<ref name=Ham/> Steele also made numerous appearances as a political pundit on [[Fox News]] and other media outlets prior to running for public office. He made an unsuccessful run in the [[United States Senate election in Maryland, 2006|2006 U.S. Senate election in Maryland]], losing to Democrat [[Ben Cardin]]. From 2007 to 2009, Steele was chairman of [[GOPAC]], a [[527 organization]] that trains and supports Republican candidates in state and local elections. After serving one term as RNC Chairperson from 2009 to 2011, he lost his bid for a second term and was succeeded by [[Reince Priebus]].<ref name="politics.blogs.foxnews.com">{{cite web|url=http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/12/13/sources-say-steele-will-seek-second-term-rnc-chair|title=Steele Seeks Second Term As RNC Chair|first=Doug|last=McKelway|date=13 December 2010|publisher=}}</ref> Since 2011, Steele has contributed as a regular columnist for online magazine ''[[The Root (magazine)|The Root]]''<ref>Politico (2011). [http://www.politico.com/blogs/onmedia/0511/Michael_Steele_joins_The_Root_as_columnist.html?showall "Michael Steele joins The Root as columnist"]. Retrieved May 2, 2011.</ref> and as a political analyst for [[MSNBC]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Terbush, Jon |title=Michael Steele Joins MSNBC As Political Analyst |url=http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/former-rnc-chair-michael-steele-joins-msnbc-as-political-analyst.php |date=May 23, 2011 |work=Talking Points Memo LiveWire |publisher=TPM Media |accessdate=January 24, 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315012856/http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/former-rnc-chair-michael-steele-joins-msnbc-as-political-analyst.php |archivedate=March 15, 2012 |df= }}</ref>
In the 1990s, Steele worked as a partner at the international law firm of [[LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae]] and co-founded the [[Republican Leadership Council]], a "[[fiscal conservatism|fiscally conservative]] and socially inclusive" [[political action committee]].<ref name=Ham/> Steele also made numerous appearances as a political pundit on [[Fox News]] and other media outlets prior to running for public office. He made an unsuccessful run in the [[United States Senate election in Maryland, 2006|2006 U.S. Senate election in Maryland]], losing to Democrat [[Ben Cardin]]. From 2007 to 2009, Steele was chairman of [[GOPAC]], a [[527 organization]] that trains and supports Republican candidates in state and local elections. After serving one term as RNC Chairperson from 2009 to 2011, he lost his bid for a second term and was succeeded by [[Reince Priebus]].<ref name="politics.blogs.foxnews.com">{{cite web|url=http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/12/13/sources-say-steele-will-seek-second-term-rnc-chair|title=Steele Seeks Second Term As RNC Chair|first=Doug|last=McKelway|date=13 December 2010|publisher=}}</ref> Since 2011, Steele has contributed as a regular columnist for online magazine ''[[The Root (magazine)|The Root]]''<ref>Politico (2011). [http://www.politico.com/blogs/onmedia/0511/Michael_Steele_joins_The_Root_as_columnist.html?showall "Michael Steele joins The Root as columnist"]. Retrieved May 2, 2011.</ref> and as a political analyst for [[MSNBC]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Terbush, Jon |title=Michael Steele Joins MSNBC As Political Analyst |url=http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/former-rnc-chair-michael-steele-joins-msnbc-as-political-analyst.php |date=May 23, 2011 |work=Talking Points Memo LiveWire |publisher=TPM Media |accessdate=January 24, 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315012856/http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/former-rnc-chair-michael-steele-joins-msnbc-as-political-analyst.php |archivedate=March 15, 2012 |df= }}</ref>

Revision as of 01:41, 25 February 2018

For other people named Michael Steele, see Michael Steele (disambiguation).

Michael Steele
Chair of the Republican National Committee
In office
January 30, 2009 – January 14, 2011
Preceded byMike Duncan
Succeeded byReince Priebus
7th Lieutenant Governor of Maryland
In office
January 15, 2003 – January 17, 2007
GovernorBob Ehrlich
Preceded byKathleen Kennedy Townsend
Succeeded byAnthony Brown
Personal details
Born (1958-10-19) October 19, 1958 (age 66)
Andrews Field, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Andrea Derritt
​
(m. 1985)​
Children2
EducationJohns Hopkins University (BA)
Villanova University
Georgetown University (JD)
Signature

Michael Stephen Steele (born October 19, 1958) is an American conservative political commentator and former Republican party politician. Steele served as the seventh Lieutenant Governor of Maryland from 2003 to 2007; he was the first African-American elected to statewide office in Maryland. As Lieutenant Governor, Steele chaired the Minority Business Enterprise task force, actively promoting an expansion of affirmative action in the corporate world.[1] Steele also served as Chairperson of the Republican National Committee (RNC) from January 2009 until January 2011; he was the first African-American to serve in that capacity.[2]

In the 1990s, Steele worked as a partner at the international law firm of LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae and co-founded the Republican Leadership Council, a "fiscally conservative and socially inclusive" political action committee.[3] Steele also made numerous appearances as a political pundit on Fox News and other media outlets prior to running for public office. He made an unsuccessful run in the 2006 U.S. Senate election in Maryland, losing to Democrat Ben Cardin. From 2007 to 2009, Steele was chairman of GOPAC, a 527 organization that trains and supports Republican candidates in state and local elections. After serving one term as RNC Chairperson from 2009 to 2011, he lost his bid for a second term and was succeeded by Reince Priebus.[4] Since 2011, Steele has contributed as a regular columnist for online magazine The Root[5] and as a political analyst for MSNBC.[6]

Early life

Steele was born on October 19, 1958, at Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George's County, Maryland,[7][8] and was adopted as an infant[9] by William and Maebell Steele. His father died in 1962.[10][11] His mother, who had been born into a sharecropping family in South Carolina,[12] worked for minimum wage as a laundress to raise her children. After Steele's father died, she ignored her friends' appeals to apply for public assistance, later telling Steele, "I didn't want the government raising my children".[12] She later married John Turner, a truck driver. Michael and his sister, Monica Turner, were raised in the Petworth neighborhood of Northwest, Washington, D.C., which Steele has described as a small, stable and racially integrated community that insulated him from some of the problems elsewhere in the city.[12] Steele's sister later married and divorced former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson.[13]

Steele attended Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C., participating in the Glee Club, the National Honor Society and many of the school's drama productions. During his senior year, he was elected student council president.[14]

In 1981, Steele received a bachelor's degree in international studies from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore City, Maryland.[12]

After graduating from Hopkins, Steele worked for one year as a high school teacher at Malvern Preparatory School in Pennsylvania, teaching classes in world history and economics.[15] He spent three years preparing for the Catholic priesthood at the Augustinian Friars Seminary at Villanova University,[16] which he left prior to ordination to enter civil service.[17]

In 1991, Steele graduated from Georgetown Law School. He failed the Maryland bar exam, but passed the Pennsylvania exam.[18][19]

From 1991 to 1997, Steele worked in Washington, D.C. as a corporate securities associate for the Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton international law firm, where he specialized in financial investments for Wall Street underwriters. He left the firm to found the Steele Group, a business and legal consulting firm.[8]

Political development

Steele listens during then-Vice President Dick Cheney's address at the Second Annual African American Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, April 28, 2004.

After joining the Republican Party, he became chairman of the Prince George's County Republican Central Committee. He was a founding member of the centrist, fiscally conservative and socially inclusive Republican Leadership Council in 1993 but left in 2008 citing disagreements over endorsing primary candidates.[3] In 1995, the Maryland Republican Party selected him as their Republican Man of the Year.[8] He worked on several political campaigns, was an Alternate Delegate to the 1996 Republican National Convention and a Delegate to the 2000 Republican National Convention.[9] Steele's Maryland biography identifies him as a member of the Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity.[8]

In December 2000, he was elected chairman of the Maryland Republican Party, becoming the first African-American ever to be elected chairman of any state Republican Party.[8]

Lieutenant Governor of Maryland

Steele watches a video and discusses Seaduck Research with Edward Lohnes (left) and Dr Matthew C Perry (right)

In 2002, Robert Ehrlich, who was running for Maryland Governor, selected Steele as his running mate for Lieutenant Governor. The campaign was waged against Democrat Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, who was running for Governor and Charles R. Larson who was running for Lieutenant Governor.

In the September primary election, Ehrlich and Steele had no serious opposition. In the November 2002 general election, the Republican Ehrlich-Steele ticket won, 51 percent to 48 percent even though Maryland traditionally votes Democratic and had not elected a Republican Governor in almost 40 years. The Townsend-Larson campaign had been tainted by outgoing Democratic governor Parris Glendening's marital problems and backlash due to his strict enforcement of environmental regulations.

Steele's most prominent efforts for the Ehrlich administration were reforming the state's Minority Business Enterprise program and chairing the Governor's Commission on Quality Education in Maryland. Steele garnered criticism for his failure to oppose Ehrlich's reinstitution of the death penalty, despite claims of racial inequities in the use of the death penalty, Steele's own religious beliefs and his prior anti-death penalty pronouncements.[20]

In 2005, Steele was named an Aspen Institute Rodel Fellow in Public Leadership and was awarded the Bethune-DuBois Institute Award for his continuing efforts to improve the quality education in Maryland.[21]

At the 2004 Republican National Convention, Steele gave the Republican counterpoint to Barack Obama's 2004 Democratic National Convention keynote address; it was Steele's first major national exposure. In April 2005, President Bush chose him to be a member of the U.S. delegation at the investiture of Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican City.[22]

2006 campaign for U.S. Senate

Main article: United States Senate election in Maryland, 2006

When Paul Sarbanes, Maryland's longest-serving United States Senator, announced in March 2005 that he would not be a candidate for re-election in 2006, top state and national Republican officials began pressing Steele to become their party's nominee for the seat.[20] In April 2005, The Baltimore Sun announced the results of a poll it conducted, stating that Steele would run statistically neck and neck against either former NAACP head Kweisi Mfume, or Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin of Baltimore County.[23] Steele formally announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on October 25, 2005.[24]

Steele won the Republican nomination after facing little opposition in the primary. His opponents were Democrat Ben Cardin and Independent Kevin Zeese (who was endorsed by the Green and Libertarian parties). The three candidates participated in three debates. Cardin primarily attacked Steele over his close relations with President Bush.[25] Steele focused on low taxes, less government spending, free markets and national security.[26]

Steele lost the general election to Cardin on November 7, 2006,[27] 44 percent to Cardin's 55 percent. Steele's former campaign finance chairman later alleged improprieties in Steele's handling of campaign funds, which Steele denied.[28]

After the Senate race

One day after Steele conceded defeat in the Senate election, Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post reported that Steele was hoping to succeed Ken Mehlman as the chairman of the Republican National Committee.[29] Senator Mel Martinez of Florida, who had the endorsement of President George W. Bush, got the position.

In February 2007, Steele became chairman of GOPAC, a political action committee that helps fund state and local Republican campaigns around the country and is responsible for training future Republican candidates. He succeeded former U.S. Congressman J.C. Watts, a fellow black Republican. In April 2007, Steele joined the international law firm of Dewey & LeBoeuf, as a partner in the firm's Washington, D.C. office.[30]

At a speech given at the Media Research Center's 2007 DisHonors Awards Gala, Steele said:

I get a question all the time, 'Are you going to run again for office?' And I've thought about that, and I've come to realize that there's still some Democrats out there that I haven't ticked off yet. So, yeah, we're gonna do it again. We're gonna do it again, and all I have to say is, they haven't seen anything yet.[31]

Steele is considered a possible candidate for Governor of Maryland in the future and said he was "intrigued by the idea" for 2010.[32] He said that he would not run for president in 2012.[33]

Steele appeared several times on HBO's political show Real Time with Bill Maher, and was on Comedy Central's talk show The Colbert Report on January 23, 2007.[34] He also hosted a PBS Republican Primary debate in Baltimore, Maryland on September 27, 2007.[35]

He coined the phrase "Drill Baby Drill" during the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minnesota, where he promoted offshore drilling as an alternative to dependency on foreign oil.[36]

RNC Chairman

2009 election

Main article: 2009 Republican National Committee chairmanship election

On November 24, 2008, Steele kicked off his campaign for the RNC chairmanship by launching his website.[37] On January 30, 2009, Steele won the chairmanship of the RNC in the sixth round, with 91 votes to Katon Dawson's 77.[38] Steele, the RNC's first African American chairman, was selected in the aftermath of President Obama's election; many in the GOP saw him as a charismatic counter to the nation's first black president.[39]

Source: CQPolitics[40] and Poll Pundit[41]

Candidate Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6
Michael Steele 46 48 51 60 79 91
Katon Dawson 28 29 34 62 69 77
Saul Anuzis 22 24 24 31 20 Withdrew
Ken Blackwell 20 19 15 15 Withdrew
Mike Duncan 52 48 44 Withdrew
  Candidate won that Round of voting
  Candidate withdrew
  Candidate won RNC Chairmanship

Leadership dispute with Rush Limbaugh

On March 1, 2009, in response to a question on CBS's Face the Nation as to who spoke for the Republican Party, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel opined that Rush Limbaugh spoke for the Party; Emanuel asserted that "whenever a Republican criticizes [Limbaugh], they have to run back and apologize to him, and say they were misunderstood. He is the voice and the intellectual force and energy behind the Republican Party. And he has been upfront about what he views, and hasn't stepped back from that, which is he hopes for [President Obama's] failure. He said it. And I compliment him for his honesty, but that's their philosophy that is enunciated by Rush Limbaugh."[42][43][44]

In remarks aired by the CNN program D.L. Hughley Breaks the News on March 1, 2009, Steele said he, rather than Limbaugh, was "the de facto leader of the Republican Party. Rush Limbaugh is an entertainer. Rush Limbaugh's whole thing is entertainment. Yes, it is incendiary. Yes, it is ugly." On March 2, 2009 Limbaugh said on his radio show that Steele was not fit to lead the Republican Party, asking why Steele claimed "to lead the Republican Party when [he seemed] obsessed with seeing to it President Obama succeeds?"[45] After the show, Steele called Limbaugh to apologize, saying "I have enormous respect for Rush Limbaugh. I was maybe a little bit inarticulate. There was no attempt on my part to diminish his voice or his leadership. I went back at that tape and I realized words that I said weren't what I was thinking. It was one of those things where I thinking I was saying one thing, and it came out differently. What I was trying to say was a lot of people want to make Rush the scapegoat, the bogeyman, and he's not."[46] Steele later issued another statement to say that Limbaugh "is a national conservative leader, and in no way do I want to diminish his voice. I truly apologize."[47]

Fire Pelosi Bus Tour

In the fall of 2010, Steele launched the "Fire Pelosi Bus Tour,"[48] with the goal of "firing" Speaker Pelosi from her position as Speaker of the House of Representatives by re-establishing a Republican majority in the United States House of Representatives.[49] The tour began on September 15 and lasted six weeks, visiting 48 states in the Continental U.S. and more than 100 cities while covering 14,000 miles.[50][51][52][53] The Tour's purpose was to "encourage votes for Republicans in districts across the nation."[54] The stops in individual districts gave Steele, "known for his bomb-throwing speaking style," an opportunity to fire up local GOP activists.[55] During the tour, "Steele urged party unity" as the Republicans attempted to take over the House of Representatives and end Representative Pelosi's tenure as Speaker of the House.[56]

The RNC broke fundraising records by raising over $198 million during the 2010 Congressional cycle; in November 2010, Republicans won 63 House seats (the biggest pickup since 1938) and retook control of the House. The 2010 midterm elections were successful for Steele and the Republicans, as they also took back six Senate seats, seven governorships, and the greatest share of state legislative seats since 1928 (over 600 seats).[57]

2011 election

Main article: 2011 Republican National Committee chairmanship election

In December 2010, Steele declared that he would run for re-election as RNC chairman.[4][58] The 2011 Republican National Committee (RNC) chairmanship election was held on January 14, 2011. Steele withdrew from the race after the fourth ballot, urging his supporters to vote for Maria Cino. After seven rounds of balloting, Reince Priebus was elected over Steele, Saul Anuzis, Ann Wagner and Maria Cino.[59]

Candidate Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7
Reince Priebus 45 52 54 58 67 80 97
Saul Anuzis 24 22 21 24 32 37 43
Maria Cino 32 30 28 29 40 34 28
Ann Wagner 23 27 32 28 28 17 Withdrew
Michael Steele 44 37 33 28 Withdrew
  Candidate won majority of votes in the round
  Candidate secured a plurality of votes in the round
  Candidate withdrew

After the chairmanship

Michael Steele in June 2016.

After his loss in the chairmanship election, Steele was hired by MSNBC to be a regular political analyst as of May 2011.[60] He also was hired to be a columnist for the online magazine The Root, an African-American news and commentary site owned by The Washington Post Company.[61]

Steele also currently co-hosts Steele & Ungar, a Monday–Friday radio show on Sirius-XM's politically moderate POTUS station with liberal Rick Ungar, discussing liberal and conservative viewpoints about current events with guests and callers.[62]

On C-SPAN's Washington Journal on the Sunday after the 2012 Obama reelection victory, Steele expressed some interest in running for RNC Chairman again. Steele emphasized the need to make conservative minorities feel comfortable and welcome in a party that offered them opportunities to launch political careers in counties and statehouses.[63]

Political positions

Economic views

As Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, Steele chaired the Governor's Commission on Minority Business Enterprise Reform.[64]

Steele criticized the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (stimulus bill).[65]

Environment and energy

Steele denies global warming, incorrectly claiming in 2009 that the Earth is "cooling" rather than "the supposed warming."[66][67][68]

Donald Trump

Steele has been openly critical of Donald Trump, both during his 2016 presidential campaign and subsequent administration.

In a January 2018 interview on MSNBC, in response to a controversy involving Trump's reportedly referring to El Salvador and Haiti as "shithole countries", Steele said he believes that the president is a racist.[69]

Social views

Steele is opposed to abortion[70] and said he thinks Roe v. Wade was "wrongly decided"[71] and "should be overturned."[70] Steele was endorsed by the National Right to Life Committee during his run for Senate in 2006.[70] In a March 2009 interview with GQ, Steele suggested that abortion restrictions should be left to state governments, and stated that he "absolutely" believes there is room for a "pro-choice" candidate in the GOP.[71] This statement prompted criticism from socially conservative Republicans such as Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, as well as the Christian Coalition,[72] and Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council .[73] In response to these critics, Steele suggested that he asked God for patience "so I absolutely don't go out and kick this person's ass.'"[74]

In 2008, Steele said that he personally opposes a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, saying that he believes states should decide the issue for themselves. Steele, however, has indicated he would uphold the Republican Party platform and support the amendment. He rates the issue of banning same-sex marriage low in importance.[75][76] In 2009, Steele opposed same-sex civil unions.[77] However, in 2012, Steele said that LGBT couples deserve full privileges and benefits under the law.[78]

In a 2006 interview with the Washington Post, Steele commented on gun control: "Society should draw lines. What do you need an assault weapon for, if you're going hunting? That's overkill. But I don't think that means you go to a total ban for those who want to use gun for skeet shooting or hunting or things like that. But what's the point of passing gun laws if we're not going to enforce them? If you want to talk about gun control, that's where you need to start. We've got 300 gun laws on the books right now. At the end of the day, it's about how we enforce the law."[79]

In 2009, speaking on illegal immigration, Steel called for the U.S. to "secure our borders first," saying "You cannot begin to address the concerns of the people who are already here unless and until you have made certain that no more are coming in behind them."[80]

During his 2006 campaign, Steele said that he only supported stem cell research if it did not result in the destruction of the embryo.[81] In February 2006, Steele compared embryonic stem cell research to medical experiments performed by the Nazis during the Holocaust, remarks for which he later apologized.[82]

Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq

In July 2010, video footage of Steele was released in which he stated that the Afghan war was "a war of Obama's choosing. If he's such a student of history has he not understood that, you know, that's the one thing you don't do - is engage in a land war in Afghanistan? Everyone who has tried, over a thousand years of history has failed."[83] He also said the war was "not something the United States had actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in."[84] In fact, War in Afghanistan was initiated by George W. Bush in October 2001 in retaliation for the September 11 attacks on New York City and Washington D.C.; Barack Obama has increased troop levels there since taking office.[85]

Steele's comments drew criticism, with neoconservative William Kristol called for Steele's resignation and former George W. Bush adviser Karl Rove calling Steele's comment as "boneheaded."[86] U.S. Senator John McCain of Arizona, the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 election, withdrew his support from Steele, calling Steele's comments "wildly inaccurate... there is no excuse for them" and saying "I think that Mr. Steele is going to have to assess as to whether he can still lead the Republican Party as chairman of the Republican National Committee."[87] Senator Jim DeMint called upon Steele to apologize Senator Lindsey Graham who said "It was an uninformed, unnecessary, unwise, untimely comment. This is not President Obama's war, this is America's war. We need to stand behind the president." Former Vice President Dick Cheney's daughter Elizabeth Cheney has also called for Steele to resign. However, Congressman Ron Paul, who is known for his generally antiwar stance, in support of Steele said "Michael Steele has it right, and Republicans should stick by him."[88]

Steele was a supporter of the Iraq War and President George W. Bush's war strategy.[89] During his 2006 campaign, Steele opposed setting a timetable for U.S. withdrawal from Iraq.[90] Steele has criticized President Obama on the issue, complaining that he has "demonized" the Iraq War.[91]

Right Now

Steele's book, Right Now: A 12-Step Program for Defeating the Obama Agenda, was released on January 4, 2010; it was published by Regnery Publishing, ISBN 978-1-59698-108-9. The Associated Press reported that, "Steele focuses much of the book on familiar GOP denunciations of President Barack Obama's overall policies (a roadmap to failure), the $787 billion stimulus bill (a reckless, wasteful, pork-laden spending spree), liberal views on manmade global warming (A threat to life on Earth? Depends on whom you ask) and other issues. To regain the public confidence, Steele says the GOP should, among other things, expose the reign of error inherent in liberal policies, contrast conservative and liberal principles, and highlight the damage caused by Obama's policies while explaining conservative solutions."[92]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Michael Steele on Civil Rights". issues2000.org. On the Issues. Retrieved January 28, 2010.
  2. ^ "Michael Steele wins RNC chairmanship race". msnbc.msn.com. MSNBC. Associated Press. January 30, 2009. Retrieved November 13, 2009.
  3. ^ a b Ham, Mary Katherine (November 20, 2008). "Michael Steele: I Left Moderate Republican Group This Spring". The Weekly Standard. Retrieved February 20, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ a b McKelway, Doug (13 December 2010). "Steele Seeks Second Term As RNC Chair".
  5. ^ Politico (2011). "Michael Steele joins The Root as columnist". Retrieved May 2, 2011.
  6. ^ Terbush, Jon (May 23, 2011). "Michael Steele Joins MSNBC As Political Analyst". Talking Points Memo LiveWire. TPM Media. Archived from the original on March 15, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "Nominations and Appointments" (Press release). The White House. March 1, 2002. Archived from the original on February 4, 2009. Retrieved January 30, 2009. {{cite press release}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ a b c d e "Michael S. Steele, Maryland Lt. Governor". Maryland Manual Online. Maryland State Archives. September 20, 2006. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  9. ^ a b Burton, Danielle (April 7, 2008). "10 Things You Didn't Know About Michael Steele". U.S. News and World Report. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
  10. ^ "The GOP's Man With a Mission; Md. Party Chief Michael Steele Hopes to Draw More Blacks Into Fold". Washington Post. May 10, 2001. Retrieved March 30, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)[dead link]
  11. ^ Depaulo, Lisa (March 11, 2009). "The Reconstructionist". GQ Editor's Blog. GQ. Archived from the original on March 24, 2009. Retrieved March 30, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ a b c d Duffy, Jim (April 2005). "Mother Knows Best". Johns Hopkins Magazine.
  13. ^ Mosk, Matthew (October 18, 2006). "Endorsement: Tyson Ready to Enter The Ring for Steele; Boxer Says He Would Fight if It Helped". Washington Post. p. B02. Retrieved February 1, 2009.
  14. ^ Skalka, Jennifer; Brown, Matthew Hay (October 22, 2006). "A personality for politics". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 30, 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ "Lt. Governor Michael S. Steele" (PDF). The Navigator. Calvert County Chamber of Commerce. October 2004. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 25, 2005. Retrieved February 17, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ Fournier, Deacon Keith (January 31, 2009). "Opinion: Michael Steele, Black, Pro-Life Catholic Takes the Helm of the G.O.P." Catholic Online. Archived from the original on February 6, 2009. Retrieved January 30, 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ Messenger, Brittany (September 18, 2009). "GOP chair shares personal journey in diversity lecture". Colgate University. Archived from the original on January 2, 2010. Retrieved January 30, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ Koppelman, Alex (30 January 2009). "Michael Steele, forever failing upward". Salon. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  19. ^ Jodi Kantor, "New Chairman Boos G.O.P. When He's Not Cheerleading", The New York Times, March 7, 2009 (in print March 8, 2009, p. A1 NY edition). Retrieved March 8, 2009.
  20. ^ a b Sokolove, Michael (March 26, 2006). "Why Is Michael Steele a Republican Candidate?". New York Times Magazine. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
  21. ^ "Leader and Party Builder". Michael Steele for RNC Chairman. Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved February 4, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "Vatican prepares to install pope". CNN. April 24, 2005. Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, President Bush's brother, heads the U.S. delegation, which includes Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele; Knights of Columbus CEO Carl A. Anderson; Helen Alvary, an associate professor of law at Catholic University of America; and Frank Hanley, president emeritus of the International Union of Operating Engineers.
  23. ^ Green, Andrew A. (April 18, 2005). "Steele attracts strong support in Senate race". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ "Michael Steele Announces Run for U.S. Senate". findarticles.com. National Right to Life News. November 2005. Retrieved January 31, 2010.
  25. ^ "Wayback Machine". 22 June 2006. Archived from the original on 22 June 2006. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ Steele, Michael (2008-02-08). "Michael Steele : Now Is the Time to Act". Townhall.com. Retrieved 2010-01-13.
  27. ^ "Democrat Cardin Wins Open Senate Seat in Maryland, Defeating Republican Steele". Fox News. November 7, 2006. Retrieved November 10, 2006.
  28. ^ Lipton, Eric (February 7, 2009). "New G.O.P. Chairman Defends Payment to Sister". The New York Times. Retrieved May 14, 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  29. ^ Cillizza, Chris (November 8, 2006). "Michael Steele for Republican National Chairman?". Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ "Michael S. Steele, Partner". Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP. 2008. Archived from the original on January 12, 2009. Retrieved October 28, 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ "Former Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele accepts the award on behalf of Arthur Sulzberger". Media Research Center's 20th Anniversary Gala. Media Research Center. March 29, 2007. Archived from the original (video) on November 5, 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ Gizzi, John (May 8, 2008). "McCain's Veepstakes: Michael Steele". Human Events. Retrieved May 9, 2008.
  33. ^ "Michael Steele rules out presidential run". Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  34. ^ "Michael Steele" (video of interview with Colbert). Colbert Nation. January 23, 2007. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
  35. ^ "Baltimore, Maryland, presidential debate on PBS". Keyes Archives. Alan Keyes. September 27, 2007. Archived from the original on July 31, 2008. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
  36. ^ Hughes, Siobhan (September 3, 2008). "Steele Gives GOP Delegates New Cheer: 'Drill, Baby, Drill!'". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 3, 2009.
  37. ^ Reiter, Daniel. "Steele Website Goes Live". Politicker.com. Archived from the original on 2009-01-26. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ Burns, Alexander (2009-01-30). "It's Steele!". Politico. Retrieved 2009-01-30.
  39. ^ West, Paul (December 12, 2010). "Rivals lining up to run against Republican National Committee chief". Los Angeles Times. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  40. ^ CQ Politics (January 30, 2009). "Republican Choose Michael Steele as Party Chairman". Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  41. ^ PollPundit.com (January 30, 2009). "RNC Chairman Vote: Live Coverage". Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  42. ^ Transcript: Rahm Emanuel on CBS's 'Face the Nation', CQ Politics, March 1, 2009
  43. ^ Limbaugh the Leader? Obama Chief of Staff Calls Talk Show Host a Barrier to Progress Archived 2009-03-03 at the Wayback Machine, Fox News, March 1, 2009
  44. ^ White House aide casts Limbaugh as top GOP voice, Associated Press, March 1, 2009
  45. ^ GOP chairman Steele backs off Limbaugh criticism, CNN, March 2, 2009
  46. ^ Allen, Mike Steele to Rush: I'm sorry, Politico, March 2, 2009
  47. ^ "GOP chairman apologizes for Limbaugh remarks". Associated Press. March 3, 2009. Archived from the original on March 6, 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  48. ^ Condon, Stephanie (2010-08-06). "GOP to Launch "Fire Pelosi" Bus Tour". CBS News. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
  49. ^ Braver, Rita (2010-10-17). "Nancy Pelosi Fires Back". CBS News. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
  50. ^ Lester, Kerry (2010-10-14). "'Fire Pelosi Bus Tour' not joint endeavor". Daily Herald. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
  51. ^ Gavin, Patrick (2010-09-16). "The List: RNC's 'Fire Pelosi' Bus Tour". The Politico. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
  52. ^ "RNC's "Fire Pelosi" bus tour stops in Waco". CBS. 2010-09-26. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
  53. ^ Knickerbocker, Brad (2010-09-15). "Michael Steele's 'Fire Pelosi' bus tour: 48 states or bust". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 2011-02-11. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  54. ^ Krotzer, Chelsea (2010-10-10). "Republican leader urges party faithful to 'Fire Pelosi'". Billings Gazette. Retrieved 2011-02-11. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  55. ^ Hamby, Peter (2010-09-24). "Steele's bus tour draws crowds, but also critics". CNN. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
  56. ^ Bowman, Quinn (2010-09-15). "RNC Chairman Steele Urges Unity as He Rolls Out 'Fire Pelosi' Bus Tour". PBS. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
  57. ^ Chris Cillizza, "Election 2010: Republicans net 60 House seats, 6 Senate seats and 7 governorships", Washington Post, November 3, 2010.
  58. ^ "What's Next for Michael Steele and the RNC?".
  59. ^ Shear, Michael D. (2010-12-19). "Voting Begins for RNC Chairman – NYTimes.com". Thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
  60. ^ Terbush, Jon (May 23, 2011). "Michael Steele Joins MSNBC As Political Analyst". Talking Points Memo LiveWire. TPM Media. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  61. ^ Politico (2011). Michael Steele joins The Root as columnist. Retrieved May 2, 2011.
  62. ^ "About the Show - Steele & Ungar on Sirius XM".
  63. ^ "Future of the Republican Party" Presenter: Steve Scully. Washington Journal. C-Span. 2012-11-11. 60 minutes in.
  64. ^ Michael S. Steele: Lt.Governor (Republican), 2003-07, Maryland Manual.
  65. ^ Berger, Judson (February 3, 2009). "Stimulus Backers Face Growing Skepticism Over Need for Government Action". Fox News. Archived from the original on 6 February 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  66. ^ "Steele's Tour-De-Force: Compares Obama To Nixon, Declares "Ultimate Political Armageddon," Backs Challenges Against Republicans". Huffington Post. April 16, 2009. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
  67. ^ O'Carroll, Eoin (March 18, 2009). "GOP chair denies global warming". Bright Green Blog. Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  68. ^ Kate Galbraith, Michael Steele: 'We Are Not Warming', New York Times (March 20, 2009).
  69. ^ Samuelson, Kate (January 12, 2018). "The RNC's First Black Chairman Says Trump Is Racist". Time. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  70. ^ a b c Ertelt, Steven (December 8, 2008). "Michael Steele Defends His Pro-Life Abortion Views for GOP Chairman Race". LifeNews.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved November 6, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  71. ^ a b DePaulo, Lisa (March 11, 2009). "The Reconstructionist". GQ.com. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
  72. ^ Stein, Sam (March 12, 2009). "Steele in serious hot water with social conservatives". The Huffington Post. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
  73. ^ Koppelman, Alex (March 12, 2009). "Blackwell, Huckabee Slam Steele Over Abortion". Salon. Archived from the original on March 15, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  74. ^ Saltonstall, David (March 12, 2009). "GOP chairman Michael Steele says talking to God keeps him from hurting critics". New York Daily News.
  75. ^ Brody, David (December 8, 2008). "Michael Steele: Personally Against Federal Marriage Amendment". The Brody File. CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network).
  76. ^ "Republicans elect Steele to lead party after losses". Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-05. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  77. ^ Solmonese, Joe (March 5, 2009). "Where's the Inclusion, Steele?". Politico. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  78. ^ Ford, Zack (February 24, 2012). "Michael Steele: Gay Individuals Should Have 'Full Privileges And Benefits'". Think Progress. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  79. ^ "Steele on Gun Control". Washington Post. October 16, 2006.
  80. ^ "New Republican committee chief says diversity of opinion is something GOP needs to learn how to respect (video and transcript)". Fox News Sunday. Fox News. February 2, 2009. Archived from the original on 26 February 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  81. ^ Jim Rutenberg, A Candidate’s Sister Steps in to Defend Him on Stem Cell Issue, New York Times (October 28, 2006).
  82. ^ Altman, George (February 12, 2006). "Steele Apologizes for Holocaust, Stem Cell Comparison". Fox News.
  83. ^ July 3, 2010, Nation and World, pg 7, "GOP chief hints war is doomed" by Michael Memoli
  84. ^ "Neo-con editor William Kristol calls for RNC chairman Steele to resign". USA Today. July 2, 2010. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
  85. ^ George Arney (18 September 2002). "US 'planned attack on Taleban'". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1550366.stm.
  86. ^ "Steele Blames Afghan War on Obama, Drawing Calls to Resign". foxnews.com. 2010-07-02.
  87. ^ Taegan Goddard (4 July 2010). "McCain Pulls Support from Steele". Political Wire. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-07-07. Retrieved 2010-07-04. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link).
  88. ^ Chris McGreal (5 July 2010). Republicans call for party chairman to quit over Afghan remarks. The Guardian.
  89. ^ Jennifer Skalka & Matthew Hay Brown, A personality for politics: Steele's reviews are mixed, but his charisma puts him at center stage, Baltimore Sun (October 22, 2006).
  90. ^ Matthew Hay Brown, Two-thirds of Md. voters support Iraq withdrawal, Baltimore Sun (September 25, 2006).
  91. ^ Juan Cole, Steele blames Obama for Afghanistan, Defends Iraq War, Informed Comment (July 3, 2010).
  92. ^ "GOP Chief: Republicans 'Screwed Up' After Reagan". Fox News. Associated Press. Jan 5, 2010. Retrieved Apr 10, 2014.
Bibliography
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Michael Steele.
Interviews and statements
Articles
Political offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Maryland
2003–2007 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Maryland
(Class 1)
2006 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chair of GOPAC
2007–2009 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chair of the Republican National Committee
2009–2011 		Succeeded by
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