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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.  

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.

Steele welcomes conservatives and [[Tea Party Movement|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.

Many of the criticisms of Steele are insubstantial and 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>  

Many of the criticisms of Steele are insubstantial and 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>