After six rounds of voting, the Republican National Committee has elected their first African American Chairman in Michael Steele. He was not my first or second choice, but he is certainly much better than the status quo with Mike Duncan or someone who is as racist in Katon Dawson.
Michael Steele is the former Lt. Governor of Maryland and the leader of GOPAC and he has openly talked about the problems of the Republican Party. From The Wall Street Journal:
Mr. Steele has been more willing than his four opponents to speak candidly about the failings of the Republican Party and the Bush administration. In a well-known 2006 meeting with reporters, Mr. Steele — then a Maryland Senate candidate — likened the ‘R’ after his name to a “Scarlet Letter.”
“The American people had lost faith in our leadership,” he said Friday. “This is a new moment for our party.”
Mr. Steele has argued that the party needs to reach out more to minorities and the working-class who have felt increasingly alienated by the party — which he largely blamed on Democrats and the media.
“You’re right, we do, we have an image problem,” he said. “For so long, we’ve allowed the Democrats to define us. We’ve allowed the media to define us.” He pledged to take a “brand new message” to all Americans.
“This party has something to say to the poor of this country,” he said. “I think we’ve been mis-defined as a party that doesn’t care.”
“So I’m saying enough’s enough. That day is over,” he said. Mr. Steele said he would rely heavily on the RNC member and grassroots activism to re-energize the party.
His message? “Get ready to work. We’re back in the game.”
My first choice for RNC Chairman was Chip Saltsman and since he bowed out and Ken Blackwell didn’t make the cut, I am glad Steele won out over the remaining candidates. Our party needs a new direction and it is going to have to come from the leadership itself. I hope he shakes the party up from the top to the members on the street. We are going to need that kind of shake up, if we are to even think of contending for Congressional seats in 2010 and 2012. Hopefully, Michael Steele will be able to lead the way.