Steele Becomes First Black RNC Chair

Former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Becomes Head Of Republican Party In What Members Call "Historic Moment" For GOP

(CBS)  This story was written by CBSNews.com political reporter Brian Montopoli.

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Former Maryland Lt. Gov Michael Steele will be the new chairman of the Republican National Committee.

He emerged from a crowded field this afternoon to become the first-ever African-American head of the Republican Party.

"It's time for something completely different," Steele said following his victory. "And we're going to bring it to them."

Later, he called his election "a remarkable moment."

"We've been misdefined as a party that doesn't care" about minorities and average Americans, Steele said. "Nothing can be further from the truth."

The most moderate candidate in the field, Steele defeated the more conservative Katon Dawson, the head of the South Carolina GOP, in the sixth round of balloting. He took 91 votes, six more than he needed to win.

Several RNC members called Steele's win a "historic moment" for the party, reports CBS News Political Director Steve Chaggaris.

Steele vowed to "cede no ground to anyone on matters of principle" in his victory speech. He said that Republicans "stand proud as the conservative party of the United States."

Among those Steele defeated in previous rounds were current RNC chair Mike Duncan, Michigan GOP Chair Saul Anuzis, and former Ohio secretary of state Ken Blackwell, who threw his support behind Steele after dropping out of the race after the fourth round of balloting today.

"I believe that the next chairman must inspire hope," Blackwell said upon endorsing Steele, a fellow African-American.

Republicans have repeatedly expressed concern over the future of their party in the wake of Barack Obama's victory in the presidential race, with some suggesting the party has to find ways to reach out to voters who do not traditionally gravitate toward the GOP.

"My concern is that unless we do something to adapt, our status as a minority party may become too pronounced for an easy recovery," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said yesterday.

McConnell congratulated Steele "on his historic election" today.

The question of the size of the GOP's tent were brought into focus back in December, when former Tennessee GOP leader Chip Saltsman, who had hoped to become RNC chair, distributed a CD to Republican National Committee members featuring a song called "Barack the Magic Negro." Saltsman dropped out of the race last night.

"Steele's election won't help the party attract black voters immediately, but if Steele sets the right tone, he could help the party compete for them in the (way) future," said CBS News chief political consultant Marc Ambinder. "As GOP strategists have always known, and noted, somewhat dyspeptically, it's white suburban voters, particularly women, who are responsive to a diversity message. The RNC isn't diverse yet; only five black delegates were chosen to attend the national convention. Steele was disgusted by that. It prompted him to run."

Before Steele won today, one of his aides today joked to CBS News Producer Mary Hager that if he did take home the prize, Steele planned to parade with his famous puppy. Back in 2006, during a losing bid for a Senate seat, Steele ran an ad in which he looked at the camera and solemnly said, "for the record, I love puppies." (Watch it here.)

Duncan, whose reelection bid failed today, gave a brief speech thanking his supporters and exited to a standing ovation, reports Chaggaris.

"The results weren't there," Duncan told the crowd at the Capital Hilton. He added: "Obviously the winds of change are blowing."

In 2003, Steele became the first African-American elected to statewide office in Maryland, when he won the Lt. Governor's race. He is the current Chairman of GOPAC, a national PAC dedicated to electing Republican candidates in state and local elections.

Born in 1958 at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, Steele was raised in Washington, DC. He spent three years as a seminarian in the Order of St. Augustine preparing for the priesthood before deciding to pursue a law career. He received a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

Steele ran for Senate in Maryland in 2006 but lost to Democrat Ben Cardin.

Steele's victory "marks a step away from the balkanized Southern white ethos of the party," Ambinder said. The pro-life incoming RNC chair has long worked with moderate Republicans -- a fact he did not play up during his bid for the RNC job.

"If he reverts to form, it means that the RNC has just selected a chairman who will not prioritize social issues above economic issues," Ambinder noted. "When people speak of broadening the party's geographic diversity, they are speaking in code. They mean that the party needs to welcome more moderates; needs to be more forgiving of departures from orthodoxy; needs to be less antagonistic to pro-choicers and gays."

[harbinger09]

All because he can read a telaprompter and is half black!

Posted by jedi23232 at 05:43 AM : Feb 01, 2009


Based on US laws and racial composition laws--Obama can only be described as black. According to our own laws, on the books in many states for over 300 years--anyone with more than 16% or 12% black blood in them--must be labeled as black. And this makes it so--because the makers of those laws are also the ones that developed racial theory and began to call people various names to separate the races in the first place. LMAO


You can try--but Obama is black. Don''t like it? WAnt to claim his white part? REmove those laws--you will find that more than Obama will be joining the white race. Most descendants of slaves have white blood in them. Rapes and forced comingling to produce pleasure slaves and a larger work force--can do that to ya.

[neoconrcrazy]

what an original idea! the repubs are just brilliant...

[frankie2fing]

This is the same party that fielded 12 white guys for President... Where was this dude hiding last year?

Posted by Evian_Ycnan

Where was he hiding?!? This man never met a microphone he did not like!!! When he was lt gov of maryland, he would not shut up. When he had nothing of substance to talk about, he would just make things up, like the time some blacks threw oreo cookies at him. IT NEVER HAPPENED! But he told the story three or four times nationally, until someone called him on it. Retraction? Well, that is the good thing about being a Republican, you never have to say you made a mistake or say your sorry!

[evian_ycnan]

This is the same party that fielded 12 white guys for President... Where was this dude hiding last year?

[tonyatq]

jedi2323n your stupid comments say a lot about you.
Let me give my professional profile on you. You live with your mother in a trailer park. You have a job making $8hr. You want to blame someone for your failures in life, but have not look in the mirror at yourself. You idolize Sarah Palin because you feel she is one of you. You hate Barack Obama so much because he is an American success story and you are an American failure. You never in your wildest dream thought a black man could be president that why you say nasty thinks about family including his kids. If you need someone to talk to I will counsel you free of charge.

[tonyatq]

What does the GOP spokes person Rush Limbaugh thinks?

[starleo146]

Posted by brianbwb at 11:51 AM : Jan 31, 2009

Brianbwb you are one of my favorite posters on this forum always a pleasure to read here is one that says thanks

[marydpreachr]

But you can just call him Uncle Tom....er Mike....

[noloyalisti]

Seriously, what has the party of Death and Spending done for you. They only represent the 22% of right wing extremist righties who could care less about anyone but themselves. The Government of Pigs is obsolete in the 21st Century.

[noloyalisti]

America no longer needs an obsolete extremist party like the Republican Party. The Democratic party already has some on the left, most in the middle and some on the right (like Liebermann, Feinstein and the Dems in the midwest). The CONS party just brings the country too far to the right, get rid of it now!

[biblethumpar]

LOl the GOP is going Centrist on everyone,
Where will the fearmongering Conservatives call home?

[nycgirlnaz]

Oh and Palin never said she could see Russia from her house. Thats what happens when you get your news from SNL

Posted by jedi23232 at 05:49 AM : Feb 01, 2009

She did say that people in parts of Alaska can see Russia... She ALSO said that if Putin head was on a plane and that plane flew over Alaska in their maritime airspace - that gave Alaskans international (i.e., foreign policy) experience. SO - only a FOOL would have voted for her as a VP and continue to support her deluded and UNDEReducated mind in any way, shape or form.

[spinproof]

Funny if it was true, ...
Posted by jedi23232
===================

I saw Bill Clinton say it with my own eyes on TV News! Sarah Palin claimed to see Russia from Alaska on several occasions! lol The Clintons were campaigning hard against Obama trying to win, throwing the kitchen sink as they call it and still lost millions in debt! Later admitted it was not serious and joined the Obama team to prove it!
NEW YORK %u2014 Bill Clinton said %u2026 "I come from Arkansas, I get why she''s hot out there," Clinton said. "Why she''s doing well."
Source:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/6016858.html

Palin can see Russia from her house! lol

COURIC: Have you ever been involved with any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?
PALIN: %u2026 it''s very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia as Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where-- where do they go? It''s Alaska. It''s just right over the border. It is-- from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to-- to our state.
Source:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/25/palin-talks-russia-with-k_n_129318.html
There are many Youtube Videos with Sarah Palin claiming to see Russia from Alaska! lol

Do your own research, Saturday Night Live just amplified it! lol

[swingset4u]

He doesn''t look African-American! He is as white as Bryant Gumble!

[albertw40]

Steele is a Clarence Thomas clone.

[jedi23232]

If Palin could just manage to keep the hockey team off from on top of her daughters she would be half way home.


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Posted by ROTFLMMFAO at 06:45 AM : Feb 01, 2009

Hey thats hard work. The Palin''s are a good looking family. Its not like the Obama''s where you have Michelle who looks like a horse or his two daughters who look like Obama tried to abort both of them.

Besides your obviously a lib, so you should shot for joy for pre marital *** and *** babies. Your Messiah is a *** Baby himself.

Can''t even tell what he is, def not american though

[jedi23232]

When Bill Clinton saw Sarah Palin the first thing he said was I see what all the excitement is about! Palin is a little hottie and thats about it. Do you really believe Palin can see Russia from her house? Palin''''s house is on the opposite side of Alaska! lol



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Posted by spinproof at 05:30 AM : Feb 01,

Funny if it was true, but what is even better is when Bill first saw Obama, he actually did say "This dude is one huge fairy tale". Then Hillary actually said " This guy has only given a speech people" In the same speech she mocked him for being heavenly.

So why you can make palin jokes by making up things people never said. I can make jokes of your Messiah by actual comments made by the two most prominent Dems.

Oh and Palin never said she could see Russia from her house. Thats what happens when you get your news from SNL

[jedi23232]

Yes, but then is was oh so off-limits to talk about Bristol getting knocked-up at 17 and how that flew in the face of Palin''''s abstinence only stance.


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Posted by ROTFLMMFAO at 05:26 AM : Feb 01, 2009

Well there is a big difference between a 17 year old girl who is still in highschool and a man.

Also, Palin didn''t parade anyone around untill the Media started reporting stories that her child was really her daughters.

You two are going to try to compare the treatment of Palin vs Obama. Please, your messiah isn''t even a american, his father figure was Rev Wright. His family on his dads side are probably half actual terrorist.

And Instead CBS news is running stories about Palin''s daughters boyfriends mom. That is 4 degree''s of seperation. ONe more degree and I could get to kevin Bacon.

THe messiah is a fraud and is protected by the media like no person has ever been. They all have funny feelings in the pants for him. They can''t even mock him on SNL they love him so much.

All because he can read a telaprompter and is half black!

[spinproof]

CBS CNN ABC and PMS NBC all ran stories for 3 days about Palin''''''''s daughters boyfirends mom getting caught with pain pills.

Posted by jedi23232 at 05:10 AM : Feb 01, 2009

Yes, but then is was oh so off-limits to talk about Bristol getting knocked-up at 17 and how that flew in the face of Palin''''s abstinence only stance.

Posted by ROTFLMMFAO at 05:26 AM : Feb 01, 2009

When Bill Clinton saw Sarah Palin the first thing he said was I see what all the excitement is about! Palin is a little hottie and thats about it. Do you really believe Palin can see Russia from her house? Palin''s house is on the opposite side of Alaska! lol

[spinproof]

CBS CNN ABC and PMS NBC all ran stories for 3 days about Palin''''s daughters boyfirends mom getting caught with pain pills.

That lady was not even related to Palin. The Media wont mention this story about Obama''''s brother though, because they love their Messiah.

All of you in the News media have destroyed the NEWS and you should all go work for the Obama campaign officially

Posted by jedi23232 at 05:10 AM : Feb 01, 2009

First of all I think political news should be restricted to U.S. Citizens, Foreign Citizens from other nations really have no say or influence in U.S. Politics. Sarah Palin paraded her familiy in front of the Press and the Press did what the Press does, it checked Palins family out. Pres. Obama never paraded his relatives in front of the Press, the Press sought them out looking for dirt. Unable to find any real dirt on Pres. Obama his opponents have been on a "guilt by association" mission ever since as if to say since Pres. Obama is not bad then maybe some of the people he was around were bad and so that makes him bad too! Talk about sinking and grasping for straws.