He is the first African American chairman of the RNC. "It's time for something completely different and we are going to bring it to them," Steele said after his victory. Steele acknowledged that the GOP has an "image problem" and cast his election as a "new moment" for the Republican Party. "The winds of change are blowing at the RNC," said current chair Mike Duncan who stepped aside after losing votes on each of the first three ballots. It was -- interestingly -- former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell who ultimately swung the race to Steele when he dropped out before the fifth ballot and endorsed Steele. The move was somewhat unexpected as Blackwell had staked out the turf as the most socially conservative candidate in the field while Steele had had to beat back rumors that he was not sufficiently conservative. Steele will provide a charismatic face at the top of the GOP but will be tested to show an ability to raise the money necessary to compete with the DNC in 2009 races (governors contests in Virginia and New Jersey) as well as the critical 2010 midterm elections. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2009/01/steele_elected_rnc_chair.html?hpid=topnews According to FOX News: WASHINGTON — Michael Steele was elected Republican National Committee chairman today, defeating the incumbent party chief and three other challengers over six rounds of voting to become the first black to lead the GOP. Steele was the most moderate candidate in the field and considered an outsider. http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2009Jan30/0,4670,Republicans,00.html Here is a video of Steele announcing and discussing his candidancy for chairman of the RNC on FOX News' Hannity & Colmes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9T6fTBAl9U Here is a video of Steele's speech at the GOP Convention: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdSsOnVWhic Michael Steele walks on stage on day three of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Xcel Energy Center on September 3, 2008 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Michael Steele waves from the podium at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, September 3, 2008. Michael Steele running against Democrat Ben Cardin in the 2006 Maryland U.S Senate election. Steele lost the election. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) and Former Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele attend a taping of FOX News Sunday November 16, 2008 in Washington, DC. Republican U.S. Senate candidate Lt. Gov. Michael Steele of Maryland speaks during a debate with Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Ben Cardin (D-MD) on "Meet the Press" during a taping at the NBC studios October 29, 2006 in Washington, DC. Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (R) embraces his patron, President George W. Bush,at the $500,000 Bush/Steele fundraiser in Baltimore, Maryland, Nov. 30th, 2005.
Re: Steele wins chairman of the Republican National Committee, promises hope and chan I could not think of a better choice.
Re: Steele wins chairman of the Republican National Committee, promises hope and chan change you can believe in
