View source for Michael Steele

{{Short description|American politician (born 1958)}}
{{Other people}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name                = Michael Steele
|image               = Michael Steele (39816136303) (1).jpg<!-- // DO NOT CHANGE THE PHOTO BEFORE SEEING TALK PAGE // -->
|caption             = Steele in 2019
|office              = Chair of the [[Republican National Committee]]
|term_start          = January 30, 2009
|term_end            = January 14, 2011
|predecessor         = [[Mike Duncan (politician)|Mike Duncan]]
|successor           = [[Reince Priebus]]
|office1             = 7th [[Lieutenant Governor of Maryland]]
|governor1           = [[Bob Ehrlich]]
|term_start1         = January 15, 2003
|term_end1           = January 17, 2007
|predecessor1        = [[Kathleen Kennedy Townsend]]
|successor1          = [[Anthony Brown (Maryland politician)|Anthony Brown]]
|office2             = Chair of the [[Maryland Republican Party]]
|term_start2         = December 10, 2000
|term_end2           = July 1, 2002
|predecessor2        = Joyce Lyon Tehres
|successor2          = Louis Pope
|birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1958|10|19}}
|birth_place         = [[Andrews Field]], [[Maryland]], U.S.
|death_date          = 
|death_place         = 
|party               = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|spouse              = {{marriage|Andrea Derritt|1985}}
|children            = 2
|education           = [[Johns Hopkins University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[Villanova University]]<br>[[Georgetown University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
|signature           = Michael Steele signature.svg
}}
'''Michael Stephen Steele''' (born October 19, 1958) is an American politician, attorney, and political commentator who served as the seventh [[Lieutenant Governor of Maryland|lieutenant governor of Maryland]] from 2003 to 2007 and as chair of the [[Republican National Committee]] (RNC) from 2009 until 2011; he was the first African-American to hold either office.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28914110|title=Michael Steele wins RNC chairmanship race|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=January 30, 2009|work=[[NBC News]]|access-date=November 13, 2009|archive-date=November 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110210809/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28914110|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 1990s, Steele worked as a partner at the international law firm of [[LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae]] and co-founded the [[Republican Leadership Council]], a "[[fiscal conservatism|fiscally conservative]] and socially inclusive" [[political action committee]].<ref name=Ham/> Steele also made numerous appearances as a political pundit on [[Fox News]] and other media outlets prior to running for public office. As lieutenant governor, Steele chaired the [[Minority Business Enterprise]] task force, actively promoting an expansion of [[affirmative action]] in the corporate world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.issues2000.org/Domestic/Michael_Steele_Civil_Rights.htm|title=Michael Steele on Civil Rights|work=issues2000.org|publisher=On the Issues|access-date=January 28, 2010|archive-date=February 4, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204164010/http://issues2000.org/Domestic/Michael_Steele_Civil_Rights.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> He made an unsuccessful run in the [[2006 United States Senate election in Maryland|2006 U.S. Senate election in Maryland]], losing to Democrat [[Ben Cardin]]. From 2007 to 2009, Steele was chairman of [[GOPAC]], a [[527 organization]] that trains and supports Republican candidates in state and local elections. After serving one term as RNC Chair from 2009 to 2011, he lost his bid for a second term and was succeeded by [[Reince Priebus]].<ref name="politics.blogs.foxnews.com">{{cite news|url=http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/12/13/sources-say-steele-will-seek-second-term-rnc-chair|work=[[Fox News]]|title=Steele Seeks Second Term As RNC Chair|first=Doug|last=McKelway|date=December 13, 2010|access-date=December 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214235650/http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/12/13/sources-say-steele-will-seek-second-term-rnc-chair|archive-date=December 14, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> 

Since 2011, Steele has contributed as a regular columnist for online magazine ''[[The Root (magazine)|The Root]]''<ref>{{cite news|work=[[Politico]]|date=May 2, 2011|url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/onmedia/0511/Michael_Steele_joins_The_Root_as_columnist.html|first=Keach|last=Hagey|title=Michael Steele joins The Root as columnist|access-date=May 2, 2011|archive-date=May 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510013605/http://www.politico.com/blogs/onmedia/0511/Michael_Steele_joins_The_Root_as_columnist.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and as a political analyst for [[MSNBC]],<ref name="MSNBC">{{cite news|last=Terbush|first=Jon|title=Michael Steele Joins MSNBC As Political Analyst|url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/michael-steele-joins-msnbc-as-political-analyst|date=May 23, 2011|work=[[Talking Points Memo]]|publisher=TPM Media|access-date=January 24, 2013|archive-date=June 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602090735/http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/michael-steele-joins-msnbc-as-political-analyst|url-status=live}}</ref> where he began co-hosting the prime time program ''[[The Weeknight]]'' in 2025. In 2018, he became a Senior Fellow at [[Brown University]]'s [[Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Former RNC chair Michael Steele to join Brown's Watson Institute|url=https://www.brown.edu/news/2018-08-28/steele|access-date=2020-11-04|website=Brown University|language=en|archive-date=February 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210165518/https://www.brown.edu/news/2018-08-28/steele|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2020, he formally endorsed [[Joe Biden]] for the presidency, after previously starring in an advertisement aired by [[The Lincoln Project]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lejeune|first=Tristan|date=2020-10-20|title=Ex-RNC chair Michael Steele officially endorses Biden|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/521789-ex-rnc-chair-michael-steele-officially-endorses-biden|access-date=2020-10-20|website=TheHill|language=en|archive-date=October 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020130602/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/521789-ex-rnc-chair-michael-steele-officially-endorses-biden|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=Maegan Vazquez and Jim Acosta|title=Former RNC chairman endorses Biden with two weeks left in the election|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/20/politics/michael-steele-joe-biden-endorsement/index.html|access-date=2020-10-20|website=CNN|date=October 20, 2020 |archive-date=October 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020124304/https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/20/politics/michael-steele-joe-biden-endorsement/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Steele was born on October 19, 1958, at [[Andrews Air Force Base]] in [[Prince George's County, Maryland]],<ref name=WhiteHouse_20020301>{{cite press release|title=Nominations and Appointments |url=http://z22.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020301-8.html|publisher=The White House|date=March 1, 2002|access-date=January 30, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204074300/http://z22.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020301-8.html |archive-date=February 4, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=msa/> and was adopted as an infant<ref name=USNewsWorldReport_Burton_20080407>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.usnews.com/articles/news/campaign-2008/2008/04/07/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-michael-steele.html|title=10 Things You Didn't Know About Michael Steele|access-date=February 4, 2009|journal=[[U.S. News & World Report]]|date=April 7, 2008|first=Danielle|last=Burton|archive-date=February 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202053601/http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/campaign-2008/2008/04/07/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-michael-steele.html|url-status=live}}</ref> by William and Maebell Steele. His father died in 1962.<ref>{{cite news|title=The GOP's Man With a Mission; Md. Party Chief Michael Steele Hopes to Draw More Blacks Into Fold|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2001/05/10/the-gops-man-with-a-mission/e1e41869-aa8e-459f-95e5-ff914cde2a82/|first=Michael H.|last=Cottman|date=May 10, 2001|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=March 30, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Depaulo |first=Lisa |title=The Reconstructionist |url=http://men.style.com/gq/blogs/gqeditors/2009/03/the-reconstruct.html |date=March 11, 2009 |work=GQ Editor's Blog |publisher=[[GQ (magazine)|GQ]] |access-date=March 30, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324002929/http://men.style.com/gq/blogs/gqeditors/2009/03/the-reconstruct.html |archive-date=March 24, 2009}}</ref> His mother, who had been born into a [[sharecropping]] family in [[South Carolina]],<ref name=hopkins/> worked for minimum wage as a laundress to raise her children. After Steele's father died, she ignored her friends' appeals to apply for public assistance, later telling Steele, "I didn't want the government raising my children."<ref name=hopkins/> She later married John Turner, a truck driver. Michael and his sister, Monica Turner, were raised in the [[Petworth, Washington, D.C.|Petworth]] neighborhood of [[Northwest, Washington, D.C.]], which Steele has described as a small, stable and racially integrated community that insulated him from some of the problems elsewhere in the city.<ref name=hopkins>{{cite journal|last=Duffy|first=Jim|url=http://www.jhu.edu/jhumag/0405web/steele.html|title=Mother Knows Best|journal=Johns Hopkins Magazine|date=April 2005|access-date=May 13, 2006|archive-date=September 10, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060910224104/http://www.jhu.edu/jhumag/0405web/steele.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Steele's sister later married and divorced former heavyweight boxing champion [[Mike Tyson]].<ref name=WashingtonPoset_Mosk_20061018>{{cite news|first=Matthew|last=Mosk|title=Endorsement: Tyson Ready to Enter The Ring for Steele; Boxer Says He Would Fight if It Helped|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/17/AR2006101701304.html|page=B02|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=October 18, 2006|access-date=February 1, 2009|archive-date=October 19, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019071213/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/17/AR2006101701304.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Steele attended [[Archbishop Carroll High School (Washington, DC)|Archbishop Carroll High School]] in Washington, D.C., participating in the glee club, the [[National Honor Society]] and many of the school's drama productions. During his senior year, he was elected student council president.<ref name=sun>{{cite news|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2006/10/22/a-personality-for-politics/|title=A personality for politics|last1=Skalka|first1=Jennifer|last2=Brown|first2=Matthew Hay|date=October 22, 2006|newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|access-date=January 30, 2010|archive-date=January 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111150226/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2006-10-22/news/0610220080_1_steele-lieutenant-governor-stump|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1981, Steele received a [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] degree in international studies from the [[Johns Hopkins University]] in [[Baltimore City, Maryland]].<ref name=hopkins/>

After graduating from Hopkins, Steele worked for one year as a high school teacher at [[Malvern Preparatory School]] in Pennsylvania, teaching classes in world history and economics.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.calvertchamber.org/assets/documents/newsletters/200410.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050525204448/http://www.calvertchamber.org/assets/documents/newsletters/200410.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 25, 2005 |title=Lt. Governor Michael S. Steele |access-date=February 17, 2009 |work=The Navigator |page=7 |publisher=[[Calvert County, Maryland|Calvert County]] Chamber of Commerce |date=October 2004}}</ref> He spent three years preparing for the Catholic priesthood at the Augustinian Friars Seminary at [[Villanova University]],<ref name=CatholicOnline_Fournier_20080131>{{cite news|access-date=January 30, 2009 |url=http://www.catholic.org/printer_friendly.php?id=31896&section=Cathcom |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206111549/http://catholic.org/printer_friendly.php?id=31896&section=Cathcom |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 6, 2009 |title=Opinion: Michael Steele, Black, Pro-Life Catholic Takes the Helm of the G.O.P. |first=Deacon Keith |last=Fournier |date=January 31, 2009 |work=Catholic Online}}</ref> which he left prior to ordination to enter civil service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.colgate.edu/2009/09/gop-chair-shares-personal-jour.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102061328/http://blogs.colgate.edu/2009/09/gop-chair-shares-personal-jour.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 2, 2010 |title=GOP chair shares personal journey in diversity lecture |last=Messenger |first=Brittany |date=September 18, 2009 |publisher=[[Colgate University]] |access-date=January 30, 2010}}</ref>

Steele subsequently attended [[Georgetown Law School]] where he graduated with a [[Juris Doctor|JD]] degree in 1991. He failed the Maryland [[bar exam]], but passed the Pennsylvania exam.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Koppelman|first1=Alex|title=Michael Steele, forever failing upward|url=https://www.salon.com/2009/01/30/steele_2/|access-date=November 8, 2017|work=[[Salon (website)|Salon]]|date=January 30, 2009|archive-date=November 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108205341/https://www.salon.com/2009/01/30/steele_2/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NYTwl">{{cite news|first=Jodi|last=Kantor|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/us/politics/08steele.html?hp|title=New Chairman Boos G.O.P. When He's Not Cheerleading|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=March 7, 2009|page=A1|access-date=March 8, 2009|archive-date=April 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417075640/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/us/politics/08steele.html?hp|url-status=live}}</ref>

From 1991 to 1997, Steele worked in Washington, D.C., as a corporate securities associate for the [[Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton]] international law firm, where he specialized in financial investments for [[Wall Street]] underwriters. He left the firm to found the Steele Group, a business and legal consulting firm.<ref name=msa/>

==Political development==
[[File:Steele cheney luncheon.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Steele listens during then-Vice President [[Dick Cheney]]'s address at the Second Annual African American Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, April 28, 2004.]]
After joining the Republican Party, he became chairman of the [[Prince George's County, Maryland|Prince George's County]] Republican Central Committee. He was a founding member of the centrist, fiscally conservative and socially inclusive [[Republican Leadership Council]] in 1993 but left in 2008, citing disagreements over endorsing primary candidates.<ref name=Ham>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/michael_steele_i_left_moderate.asp|title=Michael Steele: I Left Moderate Republican Group This Spring|access-date=February 20, 2009|last=Ham|first=Mary Katherine|author-link=Mary Katherine Ham|date=November 20, 2008|magazine=[[The Weekly Standard]]|archive-date=February 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203134106/http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/11/michael_steele_i_left_moderate.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1995, the [[Maryland Republican Party]] selected him as their Republican Man of the Year.<ref name=msa/> He worked on several political campaigns, was an alternate delegate to the [[1996 Republican National Convention]] and a delegate to the [[2000 Republican National Convention]].<ref name=USNewsWorldReport_Burton_20080407/> Steele's Maryland biography identifies him as a member of the [[Tau Epsilon Phi]] fraternity.<ref name=msa />

In December 2000, he was elected chairman of the [[Maryland Republican Party]], becoming the first African-American ever to be elected chairman of any state Republican Party.<ref name=msa>{{cite web|url=http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/08conoff/ltgov/former/html/msa13921.html|title=Michael S. Steele, Maryland Lt. Governor|access-date=January 14, 2011|work=Maryland Manual Online|publisher=Maryland State Archives|date=September 20, 2006|archive-date=January 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128223027/http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/08conoff/ltgov/former/html/msa13921.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Lieutenant Governor of Maryland==
[[File:Steele at USGS.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Steele watches a video and discusses Seaduck Research with Edward Lohnes (left) and Dr. Matthew C Perry (right)]]
In 2002, [[Robert Ehrlich]], who was running for Maryland governor, selected Steele as his running mate for lieutenant governor. The campaign was waged against Democrat [[Kathleen Kennedy Townsend]], who was running for governor, and [[Charles R. Larson]] who was running for lieutenant governor.

In the September primary election, Ehrlich and Steele had no serious opposition. In the November 2002 general election, the Republican Ehrlich-Steele ticket won, 51 percent to 48 percent, even though Maryland traditionally votes Democratic and had not elected a Republican Governor in almost 40 years. The Townsend-Larson campaign had been tainted by outgoing Democratic governor [[Parris Glendening]]'s marital problems and backlash due to his strict enforcement of environmental regulations.

Steele's most prominent efforts for the Ehrlich administration were reforming the state's Minority Business Enterprise program and chairing the Governor's Commission on Quality Education in Maryland. Steele garnered criticism for his failure to oppose Ehrlich's reinstitution of the [[death penalty]], despite claims of racial inequities in the use of the death penalty, Steele's own religious beliefs and his prior anti-death penalty pronouncements.<ref name=NYT_Sokolove_20060326/>

In 2005, Steele was named an [[Aspen Institute]] Rodel Fellow in Public Leadership and was awarded the Bethune-DuBois Institute Award for his continuing efforts to improve the quality education in Maryland.<ref name=RNCcampaign_SteeleAwards>{{cite web |url=http://www.steeleforchairman.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=128 |title=Leader and Party Builder |access-date=February 4, 2009 |publisher=Michael Steele for RNC Chairman |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203162725/http://steeleforchairman.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=128 |archive-date=February 3, 2009 }}</ref>

At the [[2004 Republican National Convention]], Steele gave the Republican counterpoint to [[Barack Obama]]'s [[2004 Democratic National Convention]] [[keynote address]]; it was Steele's first major national exposure. In April 2005, President Bush chose him to be a member of the U.S. delegation at the investiture of [[Pope Benedict XVI]] in [[Vatican City]].<ref name=CNN_Pope_20050424>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/04/24/pope.inaugural0425/index.html|title=Vatican prepares to install pope|work=[[CNN]]|date=April 24, 2005|quote=Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, President Bush's brother, heads the U.S. delegation, which includes Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele; Knights of Columbus CEO Carl A. Anderson; Helen Alvary, an associate professor of law at Catholic University of America; and Frank Hanley, president emeritus of the International Union of Operating Engineers.|access-date=February 8, 2009|archive-date=April 25, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425023327/http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/04/24/pope.inaugural0425/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==2006 campaign for U.S. Senate==
{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Maryland}}
When [[Paul Sarbanes]], Maryland's longest-serving [[United States Senate|United States Senator]], announced in March 2005 that he would not be a candidate for re-election in 2006, top state and national Republican officials began pressing Steele to become their party's nominee for the seat.<ref name=NYT_Sokolove_20060326>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/26/magazine/326steele.html?ex=1301029200en=d81046cf222230b7ei=5088partner=rssnytemc=rss&pagewanted=all|title=Why Is Michael Steele a Republican Candidate?|access-date=January 10, 2009|last=Sokolove|first=Michael|date=March 26, 2006|magazine=[[The New York Times|New York Times Magazine]]|archive-date=February 4, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204090125/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/26/magazine/326steele.html?ex=1301029200en=d81046cf222230b7ei=5088partner=rssnytemc=rss&pagewanted=all|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2005, ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'' announced the results of a poll it conducted, stating that Steele would run statistically neck and neck against either former NAACP head [[Kweisi Mfume]], or Rep. [[Ben Cardin|Benjamin L. Cardin]] of [[Baltimore County, Maryland|Baltimore County]].<ref name=green>{{cite news|first=Andrew A. |last=Green |title=Steele attracts strong support in Senate race |url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.senate18apr18,1,240443.story |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=April 18, 2005 |access-date=January 10, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629143919/http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.senate18apr18%2C1%2C240443.story |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Steele formally announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on October 25, 2005.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_6899/is_11_32/ai_n28308469/|title=Michael Steele Announces Run for U.S. Senate|date=November 2005|work=findarticles.com|publisher=National Right to Life News|access-date=January 31, 2010|archive-date=January 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119111347/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_6899/is_11_32/ai_n28308469/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Steele won the Republican nomination after facing little opposition in the primary. His opponents were Democrat Ben Cardin and Independent [[Kevin Zeese]] (who was endorsed by the Green and Libertarian parties). The three candidates participated in three debates. Cardin primarily attacked Steele over his close relations with President Bush.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://progressivemaryland.org/files/public/images/SteeleHuggingBush051130.jpg|date=June 22, 2006 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060622224926/http://progressivemaryland.org/files/public/images/SteeleHuggingBush051130.jpg|archive-date=June 22, 2006 |title=untitled image}}</ref> Steele focused on low taxes, less government spending, free markets and national security.<ref>{{cite web |last=Steele |first=Michael |url=http://www.townhall.com/columnists/MichaelSteele/2008/02/07/now_is_the_time_to_act |title=Michael Steele : Now Is the Time to Act |publisher=[[Townhall]] |date=February 8, 2008 |access-date=January 13, 2010 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202040132/http://townhall.com/columnists/michaelsteele/2008/02/07/now_is_the_time_to_act |url-status=live }}</ref>

Steele lost the general election to Cardin on November 7, 2006,<ref name=FoxNews_20061107>{{cite news|title=Democrat Cardin Wins Open Senate Seat in Maryland, Defeating Republican Steele|work=[[Fox News]]|date=November 7, 2006 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/democrat-cardin-wins-open-senate-seat-in-maryland-defeating-republican-steele|access-date=November 10, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203184356/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,228017,00.html|archive-date=February 3, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> 44% to Cardin's 54%. Steele's former campaign finance chairman later alleged improprieties in Steele's handling of campaign funds, which Steele denied.<ref>{{cite news|access-date=May 14, 2009|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/politics/08steele.html|title=New G.O.P. Chairman Defends Payment to Sister|date=February 7, 2009|last=Lipton|first=Eric|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|archive-date=April 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417100337/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/politics/08steele.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==After the Senate race==
One day after Steele conceded defeat in the senate election, Chris Cillizza of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' reported that Steele was hoping to succeed [[Ken Mehlman]] as the chairman of the [[Republican National Committee]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Cillizza|first=Chris |title=Michael Steele for Republican National Chairman?|date=November 8, 2006|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2006/11/steele_for_rnc.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061110140005/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2006/11/steele_for_rnc.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 10, 2006}}</ref> Senator [[Mel Martinez]] of Florida, who had the endorsement of President George W. Bush, got the position.

In February 2007, Steele became chairman of [[GOPAC]], a [[political action committee]] that helps fund state and local Republican campaigns around the country and is responsible for training future Republican candidates. He succeeded former U.S. Congressman [[J.C. Watts]], a fellow black Republican. In April 2007, Steele joined the international law firm of [[Dewey & LeBoeuf]], as a partner in the firm's Washington, D.C. office.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=October 28, 2008 |publisher=Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP |year=2008 |url=http://www.deweyleboeuf.com/michael_steele/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112053647/http://www.deweyleboeuf.com/michael_steele/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 12, 2009 |title=Michael S. Steele, Partner }}</ref>

At a speech given at the [[Media Research Center]]'s 2007 DisHonors Awards Gala, Steele said:

{{blockquote|I get a question all the time, 'Are you going to run again for office?' And I've thought about that, and I've come to realize that there's still some Democrats out there that I haven't ticked off yet. So, yeah, we're gonna do it again. We're gonna do it again, and all I have to say is, they haven't seen anything yet.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mediaresearch.org/notablequotables/dishonor/07/award1.asp#video|title=Former Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele accepts the award on behalf of Arthur Sulzberger|format=video|date=March 29, 2007|work=Media Research Center's 20th Anniversary Gala |publisher=[[Media Research Center]]|url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20081105165949/http://www.mediaresearch.org/notablequotables/dishonor/07/award1.asp#video|archive-date=November 5, 2008}}</ref>}}

Steele is considered a possible candidate for [[Governor of Maryland]] in the future and said he was "intrigued by the idea" for 2010.<ref name=Gizzi>{{cite news|url=http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=26413|title=McCain's Veepstakes: Michael Steele|access-date=May 9, 2008|last=Gizzi|first=John|date=May 8, 2008|newspaper=[[Human Events]]|archive-date=May 8, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080508142546/http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=26413|url-status=live}}</ref> He said that he would not run for president in 2012.<ref name="presidentsteele">{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/republican-michael-steele-rules-out-2012-presidential-race/story?id=9709101|first=David|last=Chalian|title=Michael Steele rules out 2012 White House run|work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|date=January 31, 2010|access-date=July 21, 2010|archive-date=February 3, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203100116/http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/republican-michael-steele-rules-out-2012-presidential-race/story?id=9709101|url-status=live}}</ref>

Steele appeared several times on [[HBO]]'s political show ''[[Real Time with Bill Maher]]'', and was on [[Comedy Central]]'s talk show ''[[The Colbert Report]]'' on January 23, 2007.<ref name=ColbertNation_20070123>{{cite web|url=http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/81195/january-23-2007/michael-steele|title=Michael Steele|format=video of interview with Colbert|access-date=January 10, 2009|work=[[The Colbert Report|Colbert Nation]]|date=January 23, 2007|archive-date=February 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203145948/http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/81195/january-23-2007/michael-steele|url-status=live}}</ref> He also hosted a PBS Republican Primary debate in [[Baltimore, Maryland]] on September 27, 2007.<ref name=KeyesArchive_20070927>{{cite web|url=http://www.keyesarchives.com/play.php?video=29|title=Baltimore, Maryland, presidential debate on PBS|access-date=January 10, 2009|work=Keyes Archives|publisher=[[Alan Keyes]]|date=September 27, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080731214717/http://www.keyesarchives.com/play.php?video=29 |archive-date=July 31, 2008}}</ref>

He coined the phrase "[[Drill Baby Drill]]" during the [[2008 Republican National Convention]] in [[Minnesota]], where he promoted [[offshore drilling]] as an alternative to dependency on foreign oil.<ref name=WSJ_Hughes_20080903>{{cite news|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/09/03/steele-gives-gop-delegates-new-cheer-drill-baby-drill/|title=Steele Gives GOP Delegates New Cheer: 'Drill, Baby, Drill!'|access-date=February 3, 2009|last=Hughes|first=Siobhan|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=September 3, 2008|archive-date=February 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205151938/http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/09/03/steele-gives-gop-delegates-new-cheer-drill-baby-drill/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==RNC chairman==
===2009 election===
{{Main|2009 Republican National Committee chairmanship election}}
On November 24, 2008, Steele kicked off his campaign for the RNC chairmanship by launching his website.<ref name=PolitickerMD_Reiter>{{cite web|url=http://www.politickermd.com/danielreiter/4232/steele-website-goes-live#comment-9959 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126051147/http://www.politickermd.com/danielreiter/4232/steele-website-goes-live#comment-9959 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 26, 2009 |title=Steele Website Goes Live |first=Daniel |last=Reiter |publisher=[[Politicker Network]] }}</ref> On January 30, 2009, Steele won the chairmanship of the RNC in the sixth round, with 91 votes to Katon Dawson's 77.<ref name=BURNS>{{cite news|last=Burns|first=Alexander|title=It's Steele!|work=[[Politico]]|date=January 30, 2009|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2009/01/its-steele-018216|access-date=January 30, 2009|archive-date=February 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201061324/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/18216.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Steele, the RNC's first [[African American]] chairman, was selected in the aftermath of [[Barack Obama|President Obama]]'s election; many in the GOP saw him as a charismatic counter to the nation's first Black president.<ref>{{cite news|last=West|first=Paul|title=Rivals lining up to run against Republican National Committee chief|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=December 12, 2010|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-steele-rnc-20101212,0,2661759.story|access-date=June 28, 2019|archive-date=January 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120154314/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-steele-rnc-20101212,0,2661759.story|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Source: CQPolitics''<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003021842&cpage=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203003925/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003021842&cpage=1 |first=Jonathan|last=Allen|url-status=dead |archive-date=February 3, 2009 |title=Republican Choose Michael Steele as Party Chairman |work=[[Congressional Quarterly]]|date=January 30, 2009}}</ref> and Poll Pundit<ref>{{cite web|url=http://polipundit.com/index.php?p=20632 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202073843/http://polipundit.com/index.php?p=20632 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 2, 2009 |title=RNC Chairman Vote: Live Coverage |publisher= PollPundit.com |date=January 30, 2009}}</ref>
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Candidate
! Round 1
! Round 2
! Round 3
! Round 4
! Round 5
! Round 6
|-
| Michael Steele
| 46
| style="background:cornflowerblue;"|48
| style="background:cornflowerblue;"|51
| 60
| style="background:cornflowerblue;"| 79
|  style="background:limegreen;"| 91
|-
| [[Katon Dawson]]
| 28
| 29
| 34
| style="background:cornflowerblue;"| 62
| 69
| 77
|-
| [[Saul Anuzis]]
| 22
| 24
| 24
| 31
| 20
|style="background:lightgrey;"|''Withdrew''
|-
| [[Ken Blackwell]]
| 20
| 19
| 15
| 15
|colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;"|''Withdrew''
|-
| Mike Duncan
| style="background:cornflowerblue;"| 52
| style="background:cornflowerblue;"| 48
| 44
|colspan="3" style="background:lightgrey;"|''Withdrew''
|}
:{{Color box|cornflowerblue|border=darkgray}} Candidate won that Round of voting
:{{Color box|lightgrey|border=darkgray}} Candidate withdrew
:{{Color box|limegreen|border=darkgray}} Candidate won RNC Chairmanship

===Leadership dispute with Rush Limbaugh===
On March 1, 2009, in response to a question on [[CBS]]'s ''[[Face the Nation]]'' as to who spoke for the Republican Party, White House Chief of Staff [[Rahm Emanuel]] opined that [[Rush Limbaugh]] spoke for the Party; Emanuel asserted that "whenever a Republican criticizes [Limbaugh], they have to run back and apologize to him, and say they were misunderstood. He is the voice and the intellectual force and energy behind the Republican Party. And he has been upfront about what he views, and hasn't stepped back from that, which is he hopes for [President Obama's] failure. He said it. And I compliment him for his honesty, but that's their philosophy that is enunciated by Rush Limbaugh."<ref name="CQ_0301">{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505143411/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003063742 |url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003063742|archive-date=May 5, 2009|title=Transcript: Rahm Emanuel on CBS's 'Face the Nation'|work=[[Congressional Quarterly]]|date= March 1, 2009}}</ref><ref name="fox0301">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/03/01/limbaugh-leader-obama-chief-staff-calls-talk-host-barrier-progress/ |title=Limbaugh the Leader? Obama Chief of Staff Calls Talk Show Host a Barrier to Progress|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303040004/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/03/01/limbaugh-leader-obama-chief-staff-calls-talk-host-barrier-progress/ |archive-date=March 3, 2009|work=[[Fox News]]|date=March 1, 2009}}</ref><ref name="ap0301">{{cite news|url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jhQnx0JN9g6173fjFDB8sGtd4T0wD96LB4E80|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090304203433/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jhQnx0JN9g6173fjFDB8sGtd4T0wD96LB4E80 |archive-date=March 4, 2009|title=White House aide casts Limbaugh as top GOP voice|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date= March 1, 2009}}</ref>

In remarks aired by the [[CNN]] program ''[[D.L. Hughley Breaks the News]]'' on March 1, 2009, Steele said he, rather than Limbaugh, was "the ''de facto'' leader of the Republican Party. Rush Limbaugh is an entertainer. Rush Limbaugh's whole thing is entertainment. Yes, it is incendiary. Yes, it is ugly." On March 2, 2009, Limbaugh said on his radio show that Steele was not fit to lead the Republican Party, asking why Steele claimed "to lead the Republican Party when [he seemed] obsessed with seeing to it President Obama succeeds?"<ref name="CNN_0302">{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/02/gop.steele.limbaugh/|title=GOP chairman Steele backs off Limbaugh criticism|work=[[CNN]]|date=March 2, 2009|access-date=March 3, 2009|archive-date=March 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306072930/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/02/gop.steele.limbaugh/|url-status=live}}</ref> After the show, Steele called Limbaugh to apologize, saying "I have enormous respect for Rush Limbaugh. I was maybe a little bit inarticulate. There was no attempt on my part to diminish his voice or his leadership. I went back at that tape and I realized words that I said weren't what I was thinking. It was one of those things where I thinking I was saying one thing, and it came out differently. What I was trying to say was a lot of people want to make Rush the scapegoat, the bogeyman, and he's not."<ref name="politico_0302">{{cite news|last=Allen|first=Mike|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2009/03/steele-to-rush-im-sorry-019517|title=Steele to Rush: I'm sorry|work=[[Politico]]|date=March 2, 2009|access-date=March 3, 2009|archive-date=March 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303020605/http://www.politico.com//news//stories//0309//19517.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Steele later issued another statement to say that Limbaugh "is a national conservative leader, and in no way do I want to diminish his voice. I truly apologize."<ref name="AP_0303">{{cite news |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gxDhf3ih3pg3s69ZTdvps4KpU10gD96MB5500 |title=GOP chairman apologizes for Limbaugh remarks |agency=[[Associated Press]] |archive-date=March 6, 2009 |date=March 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306211000/https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gxDhf3ih3pg3s69ZTdvps4KpU10gD96MB5500 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Fire Pelosi Bus Tour===
In the fall of 2010, Steele launched the "Fire Pelosi Bus Tour",<ref>{{cite news |last=Condon |first=Stephanie |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gop-to-launch-fire-pelosi-bus-tour/ |title=GOP to Launch "Fire Pelosi" Bus Tour |work=[[CBS News]] |date=August 6, 2010 |access-date=February 11, 2011 |archive-date=February 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110214021119/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20012940-503544.html |url-status=live }}</ref> with the goal of "firing" Speaker Pelosi from her position as [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the House of Representatives]] by re-establishing a Republican majority in the [[United States House of Representatives]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Braver|first=Rita|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nancy-pelosi-fires-back/|title=Nancy Pelosi Fires Back|work=[[CBS News]]|date=October 17, 2010|access-date=February 11, 2011|archive-date=February 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202052915/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/10/17/sunday/main6966192.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> The tour began on September 15 and lasted six weeks, visiting 48 states in the Continental U.S. and more than 100 cities while covering 14,000 miles.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lester|first=Kerry|url=http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20101014/news/710159585/|title='Fire Pelosi Bus Tour' not joint endeavor|work=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois)|Daily Herald]]|date=October 14, 2010|access-date=February 11, 2011|archive-date=October 16, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101016212822/http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20101014/news/710159585/|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Gavin|first=Patrick|url=https://www.politico.com/click/stories/1009/rncs_fire_pelosi_bus_tour.html|title=The List: RNC's 'Fire Pelosi' Bus Tour|work=[[Politico]]|date=September 16, 2010|access-date=February 11, 2011|archive-date=September 21, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921175819/http://www.politico.com/click/stories/1009/rncs_fire_pelosi_bus_tour.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbs19.tv/Global/story.asp?S=13220268|title=RNC's "Fire Pelosi" bus tour stops in Waco|work=[[KYTX]]|date=September 26, 2010|access-date=February 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229233855/http://www.cbs19.tv/Global/story.asp?S=13220268|archive-date=February 29, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Knickerbocker|first=Brad|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Elections/2010/0915/Michael-Steele-s-Fire-Pelosi-bus-tour-48-states-or-bust|title=Michael Steele's 'Fire Pelosi' bus tour: 48 states or bust|newspaper=[[The Christian Science Monitor]]|date=September 15, 2010|access-date=February 11, 2011|archive-date=January 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127083621/http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Elections/2010/0915/Michael-Steele-s-Fire-Pelosi-bus-tour-48-states-or-bust|url-status=live}}</ref> The Tour's purpose was to "encourage votes for Republicans in districts across the nation".<ref>{{cite news |last=Krotzer |first=Chelsea |url=http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/article_16925342-d4f2-11df-9460-001cc4c002e0.html |title=Republican leader urges party faithful to 'Fire Pelosi' |newspaper=[[Billings Gazette]] |date=October 10, 2010 |access-date=February 11, 2011 |archive-date=October 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014032813/http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/article_16925342-d4f2-11df-9460-001cc4c002e0.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The stops in individual districts gave Steele, "known for his bomb-throwing speaking style", an opportunity to fire up local GOP activists.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hamby|first=Peter|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/24/steeles-bus-tour-draws-crowds-but-also-critics/|title=Steele's bus tour draws crowds, but also critics|work=[[CNN]]|date=September 24, 2010|access-date=February 11, 2011|archive-date=November 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126205507/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/24/steeles-bus-tour-draws-crowds-but-also-critics/|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the tour, "Steele urged party unity" as the Republicans attempted to take over the House of Representatives and end Representative Pelosi's tenure as Speaker of the House.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bowman |first=Quinn |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2010/09/rnc-chairman-steele-urges-unity-as-he-prepares-to-fire-pelosi.html |title=RNC Chairman Steele Urges Unity as He Rolls Out 'Fire Pelosi' Bus Tour |work=[[PBS]] |date=September 15, 2010 |access-date=February 11, 2011 |archive-date=January 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124102055/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2010/09/rnc-chairman-steele-urges-unity-as-he-prepares-to-fire-pelosi.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The RNC broke fundraising records by raising over $198 million during the 2010 congressional cycle; in November 2010, Republicans won 63 House seats (the biggest pickup since 1938) and retook control of the House. The 2010 midterm elections were successful for Steele and the Republicans, as they also took back six Senate seats, seven governorships, and the greatest share of state legislative seats since 1928 (over 600 seats).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/morning-fix/2010-election-republican-score.html|first=Chris|last=Cillizza|title=Election 2010: Republicans net 60 House seats, 6 Senate seats and 7 governorships|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=November 3, 2010|access-date=October 29, 2012|archive-date=February 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218072719/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/morning-fix/2010-election-republican-score.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2011 election===
{{Main|2011 Republican National Committee chairmanship election}}

In December 2010, Steele declared that he would run for re-election as RNC chairman.<ref name="politics.blogs.foxnews.com"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/whats-next-for-michael-steele-and-the-rnc/|first=Jaywon|last=Choe|date=July 7, 2010|title=What's Next for Michael Steele and the RNC?|work=[[CBS News]]|access-date=December 14, 2010|archive-date=November 28, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128030332/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20009909-503544.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The 2011 Republican National Committee (RNC) chairmanship election was held on January 14, 2011. Steele withdrew from the race after the fourth ballot, urging his supporters to vote for [[Maria Cino]]. After seven rounds of balloting, [[Reince Priebus]] was elected over Steele, [[Saul Anuzis]], [[Ann Wagner]] and [[Maria Cino]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Shear |first=Michael D. |url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/14/voting-begins-for-rnc-chairman/ |title=Voting Begins for RNC Chairman |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=December 19, 2010 |access-date=January 16, 2011 |archive-date=January 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110115202258/http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/14/voting-begins-for-rnc-chairman/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Candidate
! Round 1
! Round 2
! Round 3
! Round 4
! Round 5
! Round 6
! Round 7
|-
| [[Reince Priebus]]
| style="background:cornflowerblue;"|45
| style="background:cornflowerblue;"|52
| style="background:cornflowerblue;"|54
| style="background:cornflowerblue;"|58
| style="background:cornflowerblue;"|67
| style="background:cornflowerblue;"|80
| style="background:limegreen;"|97
|-
| [[Saul Anuzis]]
|24
|22
|21
|24
|32
|37
|43
|-
| [[Maria Cino]]
|32
|30
|28
|29
|40
|34
|28
|-
| [[Ann Wagner]]
|23
|27
|32
|28
|28
|17
| style="background:lightgrey;"|''Withdrew''
|-
| Michael Steele
|44
|37
|33
|28
|colspan="3" style="background:lightgrey; text-align:center"|''Withdrew''
|}
:{{Color box|limegreen|border=darkgray}} Candidate won majority of votes in the round
:{{Color box|cornflowerblue|border=darkgray}} Candidate secured a plurality of votes in the round
:{{Color box|lightgrey|border=darkgray}} Candidate withdrew

==After the chairmanship==
[[File:Michael Steele by Gage Skidmore.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Steele in 2016]]
After his loss in the chairmanship election, Steele was hired by [[MSNBC]] to be a regular political analyst as of May 2011.<ref name=MSNBC /> He also was hired to be a columnist for the online magazine ''[[The Root (magazine)|The Root]]'', an African-American news and commentary site owned by [[The Washington Post Company]].<ref>{{cite news|work=[[Politico]]|date=May 2, 2011|url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/onmedia/0511/Michael_Steele_joins_The_Root_as_columnist.html|title=Michael Steele joins The Root as columnist|access-date=May 2, 2011|archive-date=May 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510013605/http://www.politico.com/blogs/onmedia/0511/Michael_Steele_joins_The_Root_as_columnist.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On [[C-SPAN]]'s ''[[Washington Journal]]'' on the Sunday after the 2012 Obama reelection victory, Steele expressed some interest in running for RNC Chairman again. Steele emphasized the need to make conservative minorities feel comfortable and welcome in a party that offered them opportunities to launch political careers in counties and statehouses.<ref>{{cite episode|url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?176714-2/future-republican-party|title=Future of the Republican Party|first=Steve|last=Scully|series=[[Washington Journal]]|network=[[C-SPAN]]|date=November 11, 2012|time=60 minutes in|access-date=November 10, 2020|archive-date=August 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804000349/https://www.c-span.org/video/?176714-2%2Ffuture-republican-party|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2018, Steele was named a faculty fellow at [[Brown University]]'s [[Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs]], where he leads seminars.<ref>{{Cite press release|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|url=https://news.brown.edu/articles/2018/08/steele|title=Former RNC chair Michael Steele to join Brown's Watson Institute|date=August 28, 2018|publisher=[[Brown University]]|access-date=January 15, 2019|archive-date=January 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115182052/https://news.brown.edu/articles/2018/08/steele|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2020, Steele joined the [[Lincoln Project]] [[Political action committee|PAC]] and endorsed [[Joe Biden]] for president.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/08/24/former-rnc-chair-michael-steele-joins-pro-biden-republican-group-lincoln-project/|title=Former RNC Chair Michael Steele Joins Pro-Biden Republican Group Lincoln Project|first=Andrew|last=Solender|website=Forbes|access-date=August 28, 2020|archive-date=August 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825212236/https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/08/24/former-rnc-chair-michael-steele-joins-pro-biden-republican-group-lincoln-project/|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2021, Steele expressed interest in running in the Republican primary for governor of Maryland,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/former-lt-gov-michael-steele-110000004.html|title=Maverick Michael Steele says he's seriously considering a run for Maryland governor and won't leave the Republican Party: 'It's my house, too'|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|date=April 22, 2021|quote=He told The Baltimore Sun that he is giving "very serious consideration" to running for Maryland governor next year, a process that includes assessing his prospects of succeeding Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, who is barred by term limits from running a third time.|access-date=August 18, 2021}}</ref> later forming an exploratory committee in July 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Steele Creates Exploratory Committee for Possible Gubernatorial Bid |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/07/22/steele-creates-exploratory-committee-for-possible-gubernatorial-bid/ |access-date=April 25, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=July 22, 2021}}</ref> Later that month, state delegate [[Lauren Arikan]] filed a campaign finance complaint against Steele, alleging that he was illegally using a [[527 committee]] to coordinate campaign activities.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=Fellow Republican files campaign finance complaint against Steele |url=https://thedailyrecord.com/2021/08/23/fellow-republican-files-campaign-finance-complaint-against-steele/ |access-date=April 25, 2023 |work=The Daily Record |date=August 23, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Maryland elections officials ask Michael Steele to prove he's following campaign law |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-steele-finance-20210914-d6ixub2hwrchhotosevbepndge-story.html |access-date=April 25, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=September 14, 2021}}</ref> In a formal response, Steele rejected these claims, citing that the committee had not made any expenditures and was not in violation of Maryland campaign finance law.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DePuyt |first1=Bruce |title=In Formal Response to Campaign Finance Allegation, Steele Says He's Complying With Md. Law |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/09/30/in-formal-response-to-campaign-finance-allegation-steele-says-hes-complying-with-md-law/ |access-date=April 25, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=September 30, 2021}}</ref> In January 2022, he announced that he would not run for governor.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Barker |first1=Jeff |title=Former Maryland Lt. Gov. and Republican MSNBC commentator Michael Steele won't run for governor |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-michael-steele-governor-20220104-ntbacbje7zhpxa2p76syt56gnq-story.html |access-date=April 25, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=DePuyt |first1=Bruce |title=After Months of Deliberations, Michael Steele Decides Not to Run for Governor |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/01/03/after-months-of-deliberations-michael-steele-decides-not-to-run-for-governor/ |access-date=April 25, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 3, 2022}}</ref> Steele later attended the inauguration of Governor-elect [[Wes Moore]] on January 18, 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ford |first1=William J. |title=Moore joins with dignitaries at wreath laying ceremony before inauguration as state's first Black governor |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/01/18/moore-joins-with-dignitaries-at-wreath-laying-ceremony-before-inauguration-ceremony-as-states-first-black-governor/ |access-date=April 25, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 18, 2023}}</ref> 

On November 30, 2023, MSNBC announced that Steele would be co-hosting a new weekend morning show in 2024, ''[[The Weekend (2024 TV series)|The Weekend]]'', alongside [[Alicia Menendez]] and [[Symone Sanders-Townsend]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Ted |date=November 30, 2023 |title=MSNBC To Drop Mehdi Hasan's Show, Launch 'The Weekend' As Part Of Overhaul Of Saturday And Sunday Lineup |url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/msnbc-weekend-mehdi-hasan-1235644017/ |access-date=December 4, 2023 |website=Deadline}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 30, 2023 |title=MSNBC Shakes Up Schedule With New Panel Show 'The Weekend' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/msnbc-new-weekend-lineup-panel-show-1235700957/ |access-date=December 4, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> On February 24, 2025, MSNBC announced that the trio would move to a new evening program on weekdays, which later premiered in May 2025 as ''[[The Weeknight]]''.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Ted |date=February 24, 2025 |title=MSNBC Confirms Schedule Overhaul With Jen Psaki And 'The Weekend' Anchors Getting Primetime Slots; Joy Reid's Show Canceled |url=https://deadline.com/2025/02/msnbc-new-schedule-jen-psaki-1236300098/ |access-date=February 25, 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |date=February 23, 2025 |title=Joy Reid and Alex Wagner Axed From MSNBC Lineup in Major Network Shakeup |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/msnbc-evening-shake-up-joy-reid-alex-wagner-1236316524/ |access-date=February 23, 2025 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Mwachiro |first=Mark |date=April 23, 2025 |title=MSNBC Announces Premiere Dates for New Primetime Shows |url=https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/msnbc-the-weeknight-the-briefing-premiere-dates/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Adweek |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Political positions==
===Economic views===
As Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, Steele chaired the Governor's Commission on Minority Business Enterprise Reform.<ref name=msa />

Steele criticized the [[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009]] (stimulus bill).<ref name=SteeleStimulusFox>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/02/03/americans-reject-want-major-changes-stimulus-poll-finds/|title=Stimulus Backers Face Growing Skepticism Over Need for Government Action|access-date=February 3, 2009|last=Berger|first=Judson|date=February 3, 2009|work=[[Fox News]]|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206070752/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/02/03/americans-reject-want-major-changes-stimulus-poll-finds/|archive-date=February 6, 2009}}</ref>

===Environment and energy===
Steele [[Climate change denial|rejects the scientific consensus on climate change]], claiming in 2009 that the Earth is "cooling" rather than "the supposed warming".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/16/steeles-tour-de-force-com_n_175317.html|title=Steele's Tour-De-Force: Compares Obama To Nixon, Declares "Ultimate Political Armageddon," Backs Challenges Against Republicans|date=April 16, 2009|access-date=March 16, 2009|work=[[HuffPost]]|archive-date=March 19, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319014227/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/16/steeles-tour-de-force-com_n_175317.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="denies warming">{{cite web|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Bright-Green/2009/0318/gop-chair-denies-global-warming|title=GOP chair denies global warming|last=O'Carroll|first=Eoin|date=March 18, 2009|work=Bright Green Blog|publisher=[[The Christian Science Monitor]]|access-date=December 23, 2009|archive-date=July 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722035121/http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Bright-Green/2009/0318/gop-chair-denies-global-warming|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Kate|last=Galbraith|url=http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/20/michael-steele-we-are-not-warming/|title=Michael Steele: 'We Are Not Warming'|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=March 20, 2009|access-date=August 31, 2016|archive-date=September 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910120710/http://green.blogs.nytimes.com//2009/03/20/michael-steele-we-are-not-warming/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Opposition to President Donald Trump===
Steele was openly critical of Donald Trump during his [[Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign|2016 presidential campaign]] and has continued to oppose President Trump during his subsequent [[First presidency of Donald Trump|administration]]. In a January 2018 interview on [[MSNBC]], in response to an accusation that President Trump had referred to El Salvador and Haiti as "shithole countries", Steele expressed his belief that the President was "racist".<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Samuelson|first=Kate|title=The RNC's First Black Chairman Says Trump Is Racist|url=https://time.com/5101077/donald-trump-racist-michael-steele-shithole-countries/|access-date=January 15, 2018|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=January 12, 2018|archive-date=January 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115221118/http://time.com/5101077/donald-trump-racist-michael-steele-shithole-countries/|url-status=live}}</ref> Steele reiterated his frustration with Trump and his supporters during the COVID-19 pandemic by saying "I've talked to enough of them over the last few days. I'm exhausted, I'm exasperated. You know, at this point, it's like, save who you can save. Because there's only so much you can do, there's only so much you can say. The fact that we have to literally beg people to wear a mask to save their own dumb ass from getting sick, I'm sorry. To me, it is beyond the imagination... I am just so exhausted with this president."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/michael-steele-trump-im-with-stupid|title=Ex-RNC Chair Michael Steele blasts Trump supporters: 'Yeah, I'm with stupid'|publisher=Fox News|last=Flood|first=Brian|date=September 17, 2020|access-date=September 17, 2020}}</ref>

===Social views===
In 2008, Steele said he was [[Anti-abortion|opposed to abortion]] and thought ''[[Roe v. Wade]]'' was "wrongly decided".<ref name=GQinterview>{{cite news|url=https://www.gq.com/blogs/the-q/2009/03/-the-reconstructionist-michael-steele.html|title=The Reconstructionist|last=DePaulo|first=Lisa|date=March 11, 2009|work=[[GQ]]|access-date=February 7, 2010|archive-date=February 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220051517/http://www.gq.com/blogs/the-q/2009/03/-the-reconstructionist-michael-steele.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In a March 2009 interview with ''[[GQ]]'', Steele suggested that abortion restrictions should be left to state governments, and stated that he "absolutely" believed there was room for a "pro-choice" candidate in the GOP.<ref name=GQinterview/> This statement prompted criticism from socially conservative Republicans such as Arkansas Governor [[Mike Huckabee]] and former Ohio Secretary of State [[Ken Blackwell]], as well as the [[Christian Coalition of America|Christian Coalition]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/12/steele-in-serious-hot-wat_n_174294.html|title=Steele in serious hot water with social conservatives|last=Stein|first=Sam|date=March 12, 2009|access-date=March 16, 2009|work=[[HuffPost]]|archive-date=March 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315014311/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/12/steele-in-serious-hot-wat_n_174294.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Tony Perkins (politician)|Tony Perkins]] of the [[Family Research Council]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2009/03/12/huck_steele/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315035958/http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2009/03/12/huck_steele/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 15, 2009 |title=Blackwell, Huckabee Slam Steele Over Abortion |last=Koppelman |first=Alex |work=[[Salon (website)|Salon]]|date=March 12, 2009}}</ref> In response to these critics, Steele suggested that he asked God for patience "so I absolutely don't go out and kick this person's ass".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/03/12/2009-03-12_gop_chairman_michael_steele_says_talking.html|title=GOP chairman Michael Steele says talking to God keeps him from hurting critics|last=Saltonstall|first=David|date=March 12, 2009|work=[[New York Daily News]]|access-date=November 30, 2009|archive-date=March 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315013753/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/03/12/2009-03-12_gop_chairman_michael_steele_says_talking.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2008, Steele said that he personally opposes a [[Federal Marriage Amendment|constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage]], saying that he believes states should decide the issue for themselves. Steele, however, has indicated he would uphold the Republican Party platform and support the amendment. He rated the issue of banning same-sex marriage low in importance.<ref name=CBN_Brody_20081208>{{cite news|last=Brody|first=David|url=http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/496960.aspx|title=Michael Steele: Personally Against Federal Marriage Amendment|work=The Brody File|date=December 8, 2008|publisher=[[Christian Broadcasting Network]]|access-date=January 30, 2009|archive-date=February 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203192727/http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/496960.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sovo.com/2009/2-6/news/national/9749.cfm |title=Republicans elect Steele to lead party after losses |first=Chris|last=Johnson|date=February 6, 2009 |work=[[Southern Voice (newspaper)|Southern Voice]]|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207153847/http://sovo.com/2009/2-6/news/national/9749.cfm |archive-date=February 7, 2009}}</ref> In 2009, Steele opposed same-sex [[Civil union in the United States|civil unions]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/19615_Page2.html|title=Where's the Inclusion, Steele?|access-date=July 8, 2010|last=Solmonese|first=Joe|author-link=Joe Solmonese|work=[[Politico]]|date=March 5, 2009|archive-date=March 12, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312050350/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/19615_Page2.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, in 2012, Steele said that LGBT couples deserve full privileges and benefits under the law.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/02/24/431918/michael-steele-gay-individuals-should-have-full-privileges-and-benefits/ |title=Michael Steele: Gay Individuals Should Have 'Full Privileges And Benefits' |access-date=May 1, 2013 |last=Ford |first=Zack |website=[[ThinkProgress]] |date=February 24, 2012 |archive-date=March 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130322002001/http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/02/24/431918/michael-steele-gay-individuals-should-have-full-privileges-and-benefits/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In a 2006 interview with ''[[The Washington Post]]'', Steele commented on [[gun control]]: "Society should draw lines. What do you need an [[assault weapon]] for, if you're going hunting? That's overkill. But I don't think that means you go to a total ban for those who want to use guns for [[skeet shooting]] or hunting or things like that. But what's the point of passing gun laws if we're not going to enforce them? If you want to talk about [[gun control]], that's where you need to start. We've got 300 gun laws on the books right now. At the end of the day, it's about how we enforce the law."<ref name=SteeleGunControl>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/audio/2006/10/16/AU2006101600542.html|first=Liz|last=Heron|title=Steele on Gun Control|date=October 16, 2006|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=September 4, 2017|archive-date=September 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917060412/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/audio/2006/10/16/AU2006101600542.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2009, speaking on [[Illegal immigration to the United States|illegal immigration]], Steele called for the U.S. to "secure our borders first", saying, "you cannot begin to address the concerns of the people who are already here unless and until you have made certain that no more are coming in behind them."<ref name=FOXNews_20090202>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/video-search/m/21821663/michael_steele_on_fns.htm|title=New Republican committee chief says diversity of opinion is something GOP needs to learn how to respect (video and transcript)|work=[[Fox News]]|access-date=February 3, 2009|date=February 2, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226142123/http://www.foxnews.com/video-search/m/21821663/michael_steele_on_fns.htm|archive-date=February 26, 2009}}</ref>

During his 2006 campaign, Steele said that he only supported [[stem cell research]] if it did not result in the destruction of the [[embryo]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Jim|last=Rutenberg|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/28/us/28ad.html|title=A Candidate's Sister Steps in to Defend Him on Stem Cell Issue|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 28, 2006|access-date=February 22, 2017|archive-date=January 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115205215/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/28/us/28ad.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2006, Steele compared [[embryonic stem cell research]] to [[Nazi human experimentation|medical experiments performed by the Nazis]] during [[the Holocaust]], remarks for which he later apologized.<ref name=FOXNews_Altman_20060212>{{cite news|last=Altman|first=George |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/steele-apologizes-for-holocaust-stem-cell-comparison|title=Steele Apologizes for Holocaust, Stem Cell Comparison|date=February 12, 2006|work=[[Fox News]]|access-date=February 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103030859/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,184605,00.html|archive-date=November 3, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq===
In July 2010, video footage of Steele was released in which he stated that the [[War in Afghanistan (2001-present)|Afghan war]] was "a war of Obama's choosing. If he's such a student of history has he not understood that, you know, that's the one thing you don't do – is engage in a land war in Afghanistan? Everyone who has tried, over a thousand years of history has failed."<ref>{{cite news|date=July 2, 2010|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-jul-02-la-na-rnc-steele-20100703-story.html|title=Michael Steele under fire over Afghanistan remarks|first=Michael|last=Memoli|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 8, 2020|archive-date=June 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608032553/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-jul-02-la-na-rnc-steele-20100703-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He also said the war was "not something the United States had actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in".<ref name="kristol">{{cite news|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/07/neo-con-editor-william-kristol-calls-for-rnc-chairman-steel-to-resign/1|title=Neo-con editor William Kristol calls for RNC chairman Steele to resign|access-date=July 2, 2010|work=[[USA Today]]|date=July 2, 2010|archive-date=July 3, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100703064900/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/07/neo-con-editor-william-kristol-calls-for-rnc-chairman-steel-to-resign/1|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the war in Afghanistan was initiated by [[George W. Bush]] in October 2001 in retaliation for the [[September 11 attacks]] on New York City and Washington D.C.; Barack Obama increased troop levels there.<ref>{{cite news|first=George|last=Arney|date=September 18, 2002|title=US 'planned attack on Taleban'|work=[[BBC News]]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1550366.stm|access-date=July 3, 2010|archive-date=July 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722081146/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1550366.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Steele's comments drew criticism, with neoconservative commentator [[William Kristol]] calling for Steele's resignation and former [[George W. Bush]] adviser [[Karl Rove]] calling Steele's comment "boneheaded."<ref name="foxnews.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/steele-blames-afghan-war-on-obama-drawing-calls-to-resign/|title=Steele Blames Afghan War on Obama, Drawing Calls to Resign|work=[[Fox News]]|date=July 2, 2010|access-date=July 2, 2010|archive-date=July 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705092639/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/07/02/steele-blames-afghan-war-obama-drawing-calls-resign/|url-status=live}}</ref> U.S. Senator [[John McCain]] of [[Arizona]], the Republican [[presidential nominee|nominee for president]] in the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 election]], withdrew his support from Steele, calling Steele's comments "wildly inaccurate ... there is no excuse for them" and saying "I think that Mr. Steele is going to have to assess as to whether he can still lead the Republican Party as chairman of the Republican National Committee."<ref>{{cite news|first=Taegan|last=Goddard|date=July 4, 2010|title=McCain Pulls Support from Steele|work=[[Political Wire]]|url=http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/07/04/mccain_pulls_support_from_steele.html |access-date=July 4, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100707235447/http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/07/04/mccain_pulls_support_from_steele.html |archive-date=July 7, 2010}}</ref> Senator [[Jim DeMint]] called upon Steele to apologize and Senator [[Lindsey Graham]] said, "It was an uninformed, unnecessary, unwise, untimely comment. This is not President Obama's war, this is America's war. We need to stand behind the president." Former [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Dick Cheney]]'s daughter [[Elizabeth Cheney]] also called for Steele to resign. However, [[United States House of Representatives|Congressman]] [[Ron Paul]], who is known for his generally antiwar stance, in support of Steele said, "Michael Steele has it right, and Republicans should stick by him."<ref>Chris McGreal (July 5, 2010). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jul/05/republicans-chairman-afghan-michael-steele Republicans call for party chairman to quit over Afghan remarks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225213115/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jul/05/republicans-chairman-afghan-michael-steele |date=February 25, 2017 }}. ''The Guardian''.</ref>

In contrast to his position on Afghanistan, Steele has been a supporter of the [[Iraq War]] and President [[George W. Bush]]'s war strategy.<ref name=sun /> During his 2006 campaign, Steele opposed setting a timetable for [[U.S. withdrawal from Iraq]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Matthew Hay|last=Brown|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2006/09/25/two-thirds-of-md-voters-support-iraq-withdrawal/|title=Two-thirds of Md. voters support Iraq withdrawal|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|date=September 25, 2006|access-date=August 31, 2016|archive-date=September 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919222558/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2006-09-25/news/0609250087_1_sun-poll-troops-from-iraq-michael-steele|url-status=live}}</ref> Steele criticized President Obama on the issue, complaining that he had "demonized" the Iraq War.<ref>{{cite web|first=Juan|last=Cole|url=http://www.juancole.com/2010/07/steele-blames-obama-for-afghanistan-defends-iraq-war.html|title=Steele blames Obama for Afghanistan, Defends Iraq War|publisher=[[Juan Cole|Informed Comment]]|date=July 3, 2010|access-date=August 31, 2016|archive-date=September 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919144505/http://www.juancole.com/2010/07/steele-blames-obama-for-afghanistan-defends-iraq-war.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===National Popular Vote Interstate Compact===

Steele is a supporter of the [[National Popular Vote Interstate Compact]]. In a piece co-authored with former Michigan Republican Party Chairman [[Saul Anuzis]], Steele states that "the good news is that under a national popular vote, a Republican could probably survive a narrow popular vote loss in Texas or Florida and still win the presidency, because every GOP vote in those states would still count toward a national popular vote majority."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/08/28/gop-national-popular-vote-227915/ |title=Why Republicans Should Get Behind a National Popular Vote, Too |date=August 28, 2019 |magazine=Politico Magazine |first1=Saul |last1=Anuzis |first2=Michael |last2=Steele |access-date=April 20, 2021 }}</ref>

==''Right Now''==
Steele's book, ''[[Right Now: A 12-Step Program for Defeating the Obama Agenda]]'', was released on January 4, 2010; it was published by [[Regnery Publishing]], {{ISBN|978-1-59698-108-9}}. The [[Associated Press]] reported that, "Steele focuses much of the book on familiar GOP denunciations of President [[Barack Obama]]'s overall policies ('a roadmap to failure'), the $787 billion stimulus bill ('a reckless, wasteful, pork-laden spending spree'), liberal views on man-made global warming ('A threat to life on Earth? Depends on whom you ask') and other issues. To regain the public confidence, Steele says the GOP should, among other things, expose the 'reign of error' inherent in liberal policies, contrast conservative and liberal principles, and highlight the damage caused by Obama's policies while explaining conservative solutions."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/01/05/gop-chief-republicans-screwed-reagan/|title=GOP Chief: Republicans 'Screwed Up' After Reagan|work=[[Fox News]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=January 5, 2010|access-date=April 10, 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140413164155/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/01/05/gop-chief-republicans-screwed-reagan/|archive-date=April 13, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Honors and awards==
Michael Steele has been awarded honors and awards in recognition of his political career. These include:

* '''2003''' [[Honorary degree]] of [[Doctor of Laws]] (LL.D) from [[Morgan State University]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://commencement.morgan.edu/honorary-degrees/ |title=Honorary Degrees Awarded |website=morgan.edu |publisher=Morgan State University |access-date=June 8, 2020 |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608040047/https://commencement.morgan.edu/honorary-degrees/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{Incomplete list|date=June 2020}}

==See also==
* [[List of African-American firsts]]
* [[List of African-American Republicans]]
* [[List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United States]]
* [[List of African-American United States Senate candidates]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

;Bibliography
* {{cite news|last=Milbank|first=Diana|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|title=For One Senate Candidate, the 'R' Is a 'Scarlet Letter|date=July 26, 2006|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/24/AR2006072400953.html}}
* {{cite news|last=Mosk|first=Matthew|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|title=With Sarbanes Retiring, Senate Interest Simmers|date=March 28, 2005|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/03/27/AR2005032700822_pf.html}}
* {{cite news|last=Mosk|first=Matthew|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|title=Steele's Web Site Parades Democrats: Hoyer Wants Photo Removed; Mfume Also Pictured|date=July 11, 2006|page=B05|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/10/AR2006071001222_pf.html}}
* {{cite news|last=Nitkin|first=David|newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|title=Steele calls on club to admit blacks|date=July 17, 2005}}
* {{cite news|newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|title=Michael Steele Joins Presidential Delegation In Rome|date=April 23, 2005|url=http://www.hedgehogreport.com/?m=200504&paged=2|format=Reprinted by the Hedgehog Report}}
* State of Maryland Office of Minority Affairs, MBE Commission, February 27, 2004
* {{cite web|publisher=Maryland Republican Party|title=State Party Biography of Lt. Governor Michael S. Steele|url=http://www.mdgop.org/site/pp.asp?c=6oIKKZMFF&b=186416|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040917015522/http://www.mdgop.org/site/pp.asp?c=6oIKKZMFF&b=186416|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 17, 2004}}
* {{cite news|last=Stratton|first=LaShell|work=The Common Denominator|title=Mr. Steele goes to Annapolis: A D.C. kid really can grow up to be lieutenant governor|date=April 7, 2003|url=http://www.thecommondenominator.com/040703_news1.html}}
* {{cite web|publisher=The Public Forum Institute |url=http://www.publicforuminstitute.org/activities/2003/dc2/msteele.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060831085509/http://www.publicforuminstitute.org/activities/2003/dc2/msteele.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 31, 2006 |title=The Honorable Michael Steele (biographical summary) }}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart= | fec=S6MD03201 | congress= }}
;Interviews and statements
* {{C-SPAN|57808}}
** [http://www.c-span.org/video/?185599-1/qa-michael-steele ''Q&A'' Interview] with [[C-SPAN]]'s [[Brian Lamb]], February 27, 2005
* [http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/tue-february-1-2011-michael-steele Interview] with [[The Daily Show]]'s [[Jon Stewart]], February 1, 2011
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090226142123/http://www.foxnews.com/video-search/m/21821663/michael_steele_on_fns.htm Interview with Michael Steele] on [[Fox News]] with [[Chris Wallace (journalist)|Chris Wallace]], December 22, 2009
* [http://www.theamericanview.com/dictator/media/1205/Exclusive_Interview__Former_Md._Lt._Gov._Michael_Steele___Possibly_The_Next_GOP_Chairman.mp3?PHPSESSID=be3bd748e7621213fee9618d9760eb43 Interview with Michael Steele by The American View] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105100315/http://www.theamericanview.com/dictator/media/1205/Exclusive_Interview__Former_Md._Lt._Gov._Michael_Steele___Possibly_The_Next_GOP_Chairman.mp3 |date=January 5, 2011 }}, audio
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110713051626/http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/477301/200905191900/GOPand8217s-Steele-Tells-Party-To-Look-Forward-Not-Backward.aspx "GOP's Steele Tells Party To Look Forward, Not Backward"] by Michael Steele
;Articles
* [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Michael-S-Steele Encyclopædia Britannica] article about Michael S. Steele, July 10, 2016
* [https://www.usnews.com/articles/news/campaign-2008/2008/04/07/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-michael-steele.html "10 Things You Didn't Know About Michael Steele"], from ''U.S. News & World Report'', April 7, 2008.

{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=Joyce Lyon Tehres}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[Maryland Republican Party]]|years=2000–2002}}
{{s-aft|after=Louis Pope}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Paul Rappaport]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee for [[United States Senator|U.S. Senator]] from [[Maryland]]<br>([[Classes of United States Senators|Class 1]])|years=[[2006 United States Senate election in Maryland|2006]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Dan Bongino]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Mike Duncan (politician)|Mike Duncan]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[Republican National Committee]]|years=2009–2011}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Reince Priebus]]}}
|-
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Kathleen Kennedy Townsend]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Lieutenant Governor of Maryland]]|years=2003–2007}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Anthony Brown (Maryland politician)|Anthony Brown]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{2009 Republican National Committee chairmanship election}}
{{Lieutenant governors of Maryland}}
{{Republican Party (United States)}}
{{MSNBC personalities}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Steele, Michael}}
[[Category:Michael Steele|*]]
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Maryland politicians]]
[[Category:African-American candidates for the United States Senate]]
[[Category:African-American Catholics]]
[[Category:African-American people in Maryland politics]]
[[Category:American adoptees]]
[[Category:American lawyers]]
[[Category:Archbishop Carroll High School (Washington, D.C.) alumni]]
[[Category:Black conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2002 United States elections]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2006 United States elections]]
[[Category:Catholic politicians from Maryland]]
[[Category:Georgetown University Law Center alumni]]
[[Category:Johns Hopkins University alumni]]
[[Category:Lieutenant governors of Maryland]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Maryland Republican Party chairs]]
[[Category:Maryland Republicans]]
[[Category:MSNBC people]]
[[Category:People associated with Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton]]
[[Category:Politicians from Prince George's County, Maryland]]
[[Category:Politicians from Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Republican National Committee chairs]]
[[Category:Tau Epsilon Phi]]