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| | [[Image:M_steele_small.jpg|right|150px]] '''Michael S. Steele''' was elected chairman of the [[Republican National Committee]] in January 2009. Previously he headed the [[conservative]] grassroots organization GOPAC. He served as [[Lieutenant Governor]] of [[Maryland]] from 2003 through 2007. | | [[Image:M_steele_small.jpg|right|150px]] '''Michael S. Steele''' was elected chairman of the [[Republican National Committee]] in January 2009. Previously he headed the [[conservative]] grassroots organization GOPAC. He served as [[Lieutenant Governor]] of [[Maryland]] from 2003 through 2007. |
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| − | Steele was the first [[African American]] elected to state-wide office in Maryland when he was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2002, and is the first black GOP national chairman. | + | Steele was the first [[African American]] elected to state-wide office in Maryland when he was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2002, and is the first black GOP national chairman. |
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| − | Three former Republican National Committee chairmen -- Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr., Jim Nicholson and Rich Bond -- criticized Steele in Dec. 2009 after the conservative ''Washington Times'' revealed he was delivering paid speeches nationwide.
| + | Steele welcomes conservatives and [[Tea Partiers]] to the Republican Party, more than some [[RINO]]s and others would like. In his book, Steele compares the GOP under Bush to an alcoholic, and argues that grass-roots activism will return the party to its core conservative values of limited government, fiscal restraint and a strong national defense. He has encouraged the heated Tea Party protests that [[RINO]]s worry could lead to their own defeat. |
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| − | In early 2010 Steele's already turbulent tenure as Republican Party chairman weakened even more as anti-Republican comments he made while releasing his new book ignited complaints by Republicans that he is promoting himself at the expense of the party.<ref> Philip Rucker and Chris Cillizza, "Steele's book release, fiery rhetoric fuel dissatisfaction within GOP," [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/07/AR2010010703699.html ''Washington Post'' Jan. 9, 2010]</ref>
| + | Many of the criticisms of Steele are insubstantial unjustified. For example, Steele was giving paid speeches, which sparked criticism by three former RNC chairmen. Others complained about blunt talk by Steele in his new book.<ref>Philip Rucker and Chris Cillizza, "Steele's book release, fiery rhetoric fuel dissatisfaction within GOP," [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/07/AR2010010703699.html ''Washington Post'' Jan. 9, 2010]</ref> |
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| − | In the book, Steele compares the GOP under Bush to an alcoholic, and argues that grass-roots activism will return the party to its core conservative values of limited government, fiscal restraint and a strong national defense. He has encouraged the heated Tea Party protests that some Republican leaders worry could alienate independent voters.
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| | ==Political Career== | | ==Political Career== |