Michael Steele wants to become Republican National Committee Chairman. Yet some anonymous emails are circulating within Republican circles suggesting he’s not pro-life enough to be chairman. Colleen Parro of the Republican National Coalition for Life has publicly voiced concerns because Steele was a co-founder of the socially moderate Republican Leadership Committee. (more on that here.)
The RLC explains their mission this way:
Inspired by a drive to get back to the fundamentals of the Republican Party, Senator John Danforth, Lt. Governor Michael Steele, and Governor Christine Todd Whitman created the political organization the Republican Leadership Council, which advocates for the historic Republican principles of liberty, individual responsibility, and personal freedom.
RLC-PAC's vision is a Republican Party that is unified by the basic tenets of fiscal responsibility and personal freedom, but that allows for diverse opinions on social issues by its members…We believe, as you can see through our diverse National Board, that people who believe in the core Republican values can find common ground on social issues.
A source close to the situation tells The Brody File the following:
“Steele resigned from the RLC in July of 2008 because they had begun to get involved in Republican primaries. He asked that his name be removed from the website and all their materials, though it appears the group hasn’t complied with the request.”
Joyce Lyons Terhes, an RNC National Committeewoman, from Steele’s home state of Maryland is sending the following letter around to RNC members: Part of it is below:
Dear fellow RNC member:
I wanted to write personally because I'm angry … and because you should know the truth about Michael Steele.
Michael is a wonderful man who has given generously over 20 years of service to our party and to conservative causes – as a volunteer, county chairman, Maryland State Party Chairman, statewide elected official and now as Chairman of GOPAC.
But some of Michael's opponents in the race for RNC Chairman have started an anonymous mudslinging campaign.
You've probably seen the emails. They claim Michael is not as pro-life as he needs to be. Well as someone who has known Michael for almost 20 years I can tell you these charges are absolutely false.
No wonder the people behind these emails won't reveal their identities.
Here's the truth.
Michael is the only current candidate for RNC chairman who has ever been endorsed by the National Right to Life Committee. I've attached the endorsement Michael received when he ran for Senate here in Maryland two years ago.
Oh, and by the way, it's not easy running for public office in Maryland as a staunch pro-lifer. But that is exactly what Michael did. He never backed down. Never made excuses.
Look, here’s the reality. Steele’s critics have a huge task ahead of them if they’re going to make the case that the guy is not pro-life enough. He’s got the solid track record on the life issue. It’s hard to argue against it.
If anything, the ties to the RLC could be seen as a plus in his corner. After all, the Republican Party will not win presidential contests if their candidate is seen as an ideologue. The challenges for the incoming chairman will be numerous including how to brand the GOP a certain way without sacrificing conservative principles.
Steele has quite a few advantages in the race. He’s well liked within the party, he’s an effective communicator, he seems to have the social value and fiscal discipline package and because he’s African-American it also may send a greater signal to the country that the GOP is not the same old “bunch of white guys” party. The GOP needs to start a new conversation with Americans. Steele could be the bridge to that next step.