Steele Indicates Interest In RNC Chair Job

WBAL radio ^

[Abby4116]

Sunday, November 12, 2006 The Associated Press

Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele says he IS interested in taking over the reigns of the Republican National Committee IF an offer comes his way. Steele, who lost his bid for a U.S. Senate Seat to Maryland Third District Congressman Ben Cardin last Tuesday, tells C-SPAN that he hasn't had any conversations with the White House about the job. He says he'll see what happens over the next couple of weeks.

[My2Cents]

Go for it!

[sgtbono2002]

I think Steele would amke a good man for the job, only I hate to see him taken out of state politics. We have Babs Mikulski who has to make another Senate run in a couple of years , Maybe he could beat her and get a Senate seat.

[LdSentinal]

Good face for the Republicans.

Harold Ford could now go work for Playboy.

[Nancee]

GOOD!!!

Nancee

[Bushwacker777]

Hey, when is Hassert going to be purged by the Republicans?

[fieldmarshaldj]

Hastert purged himself. He's not running for leadership again and may resign entirely from Congress shortly.

[reaganandme]

I'm not sure this is a good move. Steele will end up defending the party platform so much, it may hurt any chance of ever getting elected in Maryland.

I want Steele to run for the Senate again in two years. He is Presidential material.

[LdSentinal]

He's stepping down as Speaker in January, but he's in Congress for life.

[Perdogg]

Is he willing to be seen in public with President Bush?

[AVNevis]

I don't know the demographics of Hastert's district, but I would hate to see him lose the House altogether. As ineffective of speaker I think he was, him resigning just opens the door to a Democrat taking his seat, putting us in a bigger hole to make up in 2008.

[LdSentinal]

Babs ain't up until 2010.

[roses of sharon]

I don't recall Steele being very friendly to the President, and is pushing for surrender in Iraq, is this a correct appraisal of his positions?

[Bushwacker777]

You know, the only way Bush is going to get any appointment to the court is to go through Reid now. Maybe Bush better get a list of moderate judges who are pro-life (being Mormon is now a plus) for Steven's seat as well as important federal openings.

[KevinDavis]

I live in Hastert's district and it is increasing Rat.. His opponent got 40% of the vote..

[AVNevis]

There is no MD Senate race in 2008, at least as far as I know. So Steele can serve as RNC Chair until the next presidential election and then run for Senate again.

I wouldn't worry about him supporting the party line too much. It actually might be a good thing, as the party chairman always has to be careful about what he says so it doesn't offend any members of the party or potential voters.

[fieldmarshaldj]

No worries about Hastert's seat. Since 1934, it only went 'Rat once, in 1974, and quickly returned to the GOP column in '76.

[stevem]

It seems to me that the Republican Party needs new leadership at the top levels. Steele would be as good as many and better than most.

[Perdogg]

I am not sure about Steele's views, but there are a lot of people crowing him before we really know anything about him.

[Abby4116]

I don't think this will totally take him out of state politics. We have congressional seats and the presidency in 2008.