Gay Conservative

Are you up to the challenge?

Michael Steele, the former Lt. Governor of Maryland, was elected as chairman of the Republican National Committee today.  He is African-American, he is Catholic and he is conservative.  So let’s see if anyone besides FOX News will extoll the historical significance of Steele as the first black chairman of the GOP.  Let’s watch to see if any journalists break down in tears or if anyone gets a “thrill up their leg.”  I seriously doubt it, but this is very special.

Reports from the MSM say that Steele was the most moderate candidate.  I’m not sure that is accurate.  I will dig further, but everything I have heard from him is conservative.  Sean Hannity gave him the big thumbs up, and I know Hannity doesn’t embrace RINOs.  I have a feeling that the MSM is trying to spin things in their own way and downplay Steele’s significance.

Steele wrote a great piece for the Politico back in November.  He outlined his vision for the GOP.

Return to timeless Republican principles. And include a positive, optimistic message that envisions a new, stronger, more prosperous American future. Ronald Reagan spoke to our deepest longing as a people. He gave a voice to principles that are true for all people in all times. Retool our message, but base it on those proven conservative principles for which our party has always stood: Our freedom is from God, not government. Our prosperity comes from a free people in a free market, not overtaxing, free-spending bureaucrats. We celebrate and protect life, born and unborn. And our best hope for a brighter future is in the empowerment of individuals and families, not in the constraints imposed by a bloated bureaucracy. 

Nothing moderate or even liberal there.  It’s a very true message. And it’s an optimistic, conservative message.  There are questions about his abortion stance, but Steele insists he is pro-life and was endorsed by the National Right-To-Life Committee.  His rhetoric invokes the messages of Ronald Reagan.  I have heard Michael speak many times – especially his discussions with Hannity.  I feel very confident that he is a conservative.

I will dig a little further on Steele.  I have always been a fan, but I want conservative principles to trump all from here on out.  Aside from being a conservative, I also think that Michael Steele has a couple of other things going for him.  He is an excellent communicator who is media-savvy and inspirational.  He comes across strong on TV and radio and is open to utilizing new media to get the message across.  We have lacked that in recent election cycles.  Michael Steele is also an outsider.  He was the only candidate for the RNC who wasn’t a committee member.  There are potential cons in that regards, but I feel good that it is a pro which will give him a different perspective.

Nobody in the GOP gets a free pass right now.  The party is in a sad state.  Michael Steele promises to open things up and regain the base in the Northeast and other parts of the country. And he is focused on the GOP grassroots nationwide.  He speaks of improving the GOP image, but he hasn’t said anything that leads me to believe that the improvement necessarily involves sacrificing conservative principles.

I am willing to give Steele the benefit of the doubt because his rhetoric is right on, and the intangibles just feel right.  But also know that I will dump him and anyone else in the GOP leadership the very second that I believe that they are leading us down the same destructive path that led us to our present state. I didn’t see anyone else in the running with more promise for change.  I thing the RNC made the correct choice.  I just hope that Mr. Steele doesn’t make me a liar.

UPDATE:  I just watched Hannity’s interview of Michael Steele on his FOX News TV program.  Steele chose Hannity as his first interview after being elected as Chairman. I feel really good now.  Sean threw out all of the hints about lukewarm Republicans and pseudo-conservatives.  Steele was flawless.  He says that true conservative principles are the key to the resurrection of the GOP.  I’m with Michael Steele right now.  I have no reason to doubt him.  I will be vigilant, but Michael Steele said all of the right things.  I think he can energize this base.