Posted on 01/30/2009 2:57:04 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
Washington, DC (AHN) - Beating out opponent South Carolina GOP chairman Katon Dawson 91 to 77, Michael Steele, the first African American elected to statewide office in Maryland, has won election as chairman of the Republican National Committee.
A former lieutenant governor in Maryland, Steele will replace Mike Duncan, who dropped out of the balloting earlier today. Michigan GOP chairman Saul Anuzis also dropped out of contention for the Republican National Committee chairman because of the rationale, "Can't win. I know how to count."
The race was headed into a sixth ballot with 85 votes needed to win. On the fifth ballot, Steele led Dawson, 79 to 69. Anuzis was third with 20 and dropped out without endorsing either of the remaining candidates.
After losing the White House and congressional seats around the country, the RNC Chairman will be charged with reviving the slumping Republican party. Also a factor in Steele's victory is the fact that he is an African American, a sign that shows the GOP is ready to change and open it's doors to be more inclusive of minorities.
I suggest Mr. Steele work on our image first. And I hope like h#ll he's as offended as I am if ANYONE thinks he got the job just because he's black. Grrrrrr!
I was kind of hoping for Blackwell but will wait and see with Steele.
It’s deliberate. The tactic is to lie, lie and lie some more to manipulate the masses. Either that, or this author is as stupid as a rock.
He will be a great chairman of the GOP. A good VP candidate too.
I was hoping for Steele or Blackwell. Not because they’re black. But because they seem to have some brains, and willing to shake things up.
The Dawson guy just looked like another empty suit.
Unlike those ugly days when no blacks were allowed, when Bush appointed those two white Secretaries of State. Sheesh, what are you gonna do, it's the lamestream media...
I agree: Steele and Blackwell are tops not because of their color but because of their qualifications.
I’ve already written to Michael to congratulate him: I sent it to GOPAC. Anyone have a better address for him?
I’m offering my help on a grassroots level to begin putting the party back together.
The main factor, in my opinion, is an excellent strategy for the GOP to remove the race card from the Democrats' deck. Now the Dems can't pull out the race card every time the GOP attacks our newly installed marxist President. However, plan on seeing e a lot of Dem whining for Steele to stop the "racism" that the Rats are going to pretend exists among GOP party leaders, representatives, etc.
I’m not real trusting of the leadership after the stunt they pulled with my former congressman. They put him on their lost cause list and withdrew party money from his campaign and left him to lose by a whole 2%. Now I have a shiny new socialist democrat congressman and one less true conservative in the house.
Especially since one the candidates was a member of a whites only golf club for 12 years and then found out...
They’re making it sound as if Steele JUST joined the party! What a bunch of jerks — not surprising though. I hope Steele informs these bigots in the press of the TRUTH about the Republican Party.
This reporter is a moron. Look at the reason the GOP was formed, they allowed blacks to register, while the Democratic Party barred them from registering and voting. MLK was a republican, not that most dems today would know that.
Funny how it’s always libs playing the race card. The Republicans have always welcomed minorities. It’s just that so many are too stupid to come off the dim plantation to the conservative side.
I Steele a black man ? Funny, I just want a conservative.
Same here. The fact that Michael Steele is black won't help him one bit with the MSM. Since he's Republican, he can't be an 'authentic' black person. So they may make note of it now, but they'll soon start pounding on him as they do any Republican.
I was just discussing with a friend that there was no affirmative action going on here. The two most qualified individuals just happened to be black.
Considering all the RINOS that we have been dealing with...
Martinez, Bloomberg, Hagel, etc. etc, I can't name them all.
Now we have someone articulate that can speak the conservative message, other than Rush their has been no face/figurehead.
Now maybe, just maybe the RNC will have a presence and bring all those here that are p!$$ed back into the fold, provided they get back to Reagan's Message. I thinK Mr. Steele is the man to do it.
It is time to rebuild...
Too bad we didn’t get that with Steele. The party is near death. What should a good, old fashioned Conservative do? I’m tired of voting against the lesser.
Liberals keep racism alive by using it as a weapon.
word
Jan Larimer(sp)and Texas Chairwoman Tina Benkiser were running for co-chair. Can’t find out who won. Anyone know?
Thanks to Obama, we have a good man as chairman of the RNC. So, if being Black worked in Steele's favor here, then so be it.
Unlike Obama, Michael is the best man for the job.
Was there a 3rd candidate in the race? That’s how we lost a seat in Maryland.
Yeah I think it was a green party candidate.
Ah. Then they took votes from the Dem, then. The Libertarian took R votes away in the MD race.
Dawson is the true Country Club Republican.
I watched the whole thing on CSPAN today; there were 5 running for chairman. Took all day and 6 ballots to get a winner with at least 85 votes. Steele finally got 91.
Just when they started counting votes for co-chair, CSPAN left it. Jan Larimer (sp) and Texas Chairwoman Tina Benkiser were running for that position. Can’t find out who won.
The local fish wrap gave the most pathetic endorsement (to the democrat) I’ve ever seen. They didn’t beat up on Walberg, and even called him a really good congressman. However, despite liking Walberg, they said that he wouldn’t bring pork money to the area the way Mark Shauer would.
I'll believe it when I see it. Didn't make any difference with Clarence Thomas, Colin Powell and Condi Rice.
I have heard he might be a "gun grabber" ... I cannot remember where I heard that, so this is UNFOUNDED. But does anybody know his record on this issue? My neighbor is from Maryland and said he was the best thing that ever happened to that state and they were devistated when he didn't win the election there. (Thanks if you have the info).
That Dawson guy WAS an empty suit. If he would have won it would have been another RINOfabulous 2 years with Mike Duncan Part Deux.
Good to see Steele win. We will need his help.
During the RNC debates for chairman the moderator asked them all how many guns they owned. Everyone EXCEPT Steele owned guns, he said, “zero”. Hope he is not anti-gun ownership.
Dear Team Steele: How about that? You did it! The grassroots leadership of the Republican Party has ignited a revolution - and we've got change at the top! Forty-thousand Republicans banded together at the grassroots level and we did it. You have worked hard for this party for years, and today you were heard! Now, I have to prepare you for something: I'm gonna put you to work. Your ideas, your energy, your principles, your spirit, your innovations - that's how YOUR RNC will take back our majorities from the courthouse to the White House. I can't thank you enough for your support. I'm humbled and honored - and like you, I'm ready for the challenge. Michael Steele
Melquíades Rafael “Mel” Martínez wasn’t a “minority”, but a white racist?
An idiot, undoubtedly; a Rhino, for sure...but a token non white racist?!?
Some folks who don't have a problem with others owning guns don't own them, themselves. He may be one of them. It's also possible he has younger children in his house, so doesn't want guns around right now.
KEWL!
Both.
“We’re going to say to friend and foe alike.
We want you to be a part of us, we want you to work with us.
And for those of you who are ready to obstruct,
get ready to get knocked over.”
Michael Steele: yesterday....
Image: Classy, Conservative Maryland born new RNC Chair
vs
Phony,liberal President: product of Chicago machine
The contrast will be stark! Hey guys: let’s rally. We’ve now got Steele and Limbaugh leading the fight. Ready for battle against the opposition? YOU BETCHA...
I can’t remember if I asked this already..but does anyone have an email address for Michael? I sent my message to GoPac but I was thinking that maybe one of you might know of a more personal address. I think we all need to write and congratulate him: For those of you who want to be proactive: tell him that you want to be part of the restoration of the Republican party. It will encourage and motivate him to form task forces at all levels. WHOO HOO. This has been a good week for Conservatives!
Music to my ears! :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.