Michael Steele's Positions
Steele Interview with Chris Wallace
Michael Steele’s answers to Blackwell’s questions:
COMMENT: Morton Blackwell, Republican National Committeeman from Virginia, sent questionnaires to the then six candidates for RNC Chairman. From the 97 pages of the document, newly elected RNC Chairman, Michael Steele’s answers to the questions, have been extracted and, with Mr. Blackwell's permission, are posted here.
Posted by: Matt Lewis
PARTY MATTERS
1. Democrats beat Republicans badly on the ground in 2008 by pouring vast amounts of time, talent, and money into an unprecedented, high-tech effort to identify and register supporters, communicate to those supporters, and get them to vote.
As RNC chairman, what would you do to make sure that Democrats do not have a comparable ground-game advantage in 2010?
Michael Steele: As Chairman, starting day one, I will focus the RNC's energy, time, and resources towards building our grassroots thru our State Parties. We can't wait until a few weeks before an election to mobilize our ground troops and expect positive results. In fact, any ground-game strategy must begin in 2009 in Virginia and New Jersey!
We need to update our technology while adjusting and developing new winning strategies. This will only happen if we invest early in technology while at the same time exploring ways to maintain that personal voter touch that only the Grassroots can provide. Our efforts should begin with strategically targeted voter registration programs designed to build the ground infrastructure and supporter network simultaneously.
Democrats had a far superior ground game in 2008. They invested heavily in it. They also had a unified message that energized liberals within the party and allied groups outside it. Traditional Republicans voters were far less energized (and our allied groups were fractured and scattered). In short, our conservative base depressed and disconnected.
As Chairman, I will work with every state and local Party organization to craft a unified strategy that will prove effective in each of the 435 congressional districts but will have devastating results when leveraged across 50 states and one nation. We will form a disciplined, tight-knit, responsive network to build a vigorous and representative national Republican presence.
It will be my goal to recruit and train 25,000 grassroots activist leaders by 2012 drawn from every state in the union. Many of these folks will become campaign managers. Others will help organize, train, and mobilize volunteer organizations in their communities. Our Party will re-engage its base and the beat the Democrats!
2. When Democrats hold the White House, the RNC chairman has a greatly increased role in advocating what the Republican Party stands for.
Many conservatives are intensely unhappy with the failure of party leaders to advance outspokenly the conservative principles of limited government, free enterprise, traditional values, and strong national defense.
Social conservatives, especially, have been heard to say they are treated by Republican leaders as Democrats treated American blacks. That is, the party wants and gets all our votes but then pays little or no attention to us.
Given the election results of 2008, conservatives might ask whether or not that means that next time we get to elect one of us as President of the United States.
No issue politically important to major elements of the Democrats' coalition is absent from the Democrats' communications.
As RNC chairman, what would you do to make sure that the RNC, in a balanced way, speaks out for the social issues so important to a huge number of potential Republican voters and so clearly stated in the democratically written and unanimously adopted 2008 National Republican Platform?
Michael Steele: Well, as Chairman I would begin by restating: We are the Conservative Party of this Great Nation. We value life, born and unborn; we value hard work and individual initiative; we value service to our nation and to our community; but most of all we value the rights of individuals to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. As a strong social and fiscal conservative, I will continue to embrace -- not take advantage of the conservatives of our Party.
I also recognize that good Republicans can disagree from time to time. But the answer to returning to a ruling majority is not to abandon our principles or abandon our National Republican Platform but to embrace all of it and articulate its message in such a manner that we inspire and move a nation towards once again embracing conservative Republican principals and policies.
3. During a Republican presidency, the RNC is in many ways an appendage of the White House. Democrats now control the elected branches of our federal government.
As RNC chairman, would you speak out forcefully against White House and congressional plans to increase government spending and regulations?
Michael Steele: Key to our Republican ideals is the notion of fiscal restraint and limited government. In recent years, however, Republicans in leadership have violated these principals. Unless we restore our credibility as the Party best equipped to reduce spending, constrain government growth, and cut taxes, we will continue to lose elections.
Some have claimed it's not the role of the RNC to determine the Republican policy message. They say such things are better left to Republican leaders in Congress. I disagree.
Just a few of the initiatives I will pursue as RNC Chairman include: 1. Reestablish the Republican Party as the party of fiscal responsibility and limited government; 2. Improve issue communications and messaging by fostering collaboration with center-right think tanks, voter outreach groups, and media outlets who focus on innovative conservative policy ideas; 3. Make messaging and policy preparation an integral part of a new, more intense approach to training seminars for grassroots activists, candidates, and campaign professionals; 4. Commission both quantitative and qualitative research to identify appropriate methods to present and promote conservative Republican principals and ideals, then make those research conclusions available to every State and Local Republican Party and every Republican candidate; 5. Engage RNC members, State and Local Republican volunteer leaders, staff, and consultants in an ongoing dialogue about our message; 6. Establish partnerships with Republican Governors, legislative leaders, and members of Congress to identify best practices and innovative strategies that are working in the States and implement them nationally.
4. Have you read the 2008 Republican National Platform? Do you agree with it?
Michael Steele: I have read the Platform. And I strongly agree with it and will support it.
5. In particular, do you agree with and fully support the 2008 pro-life plank, which is essentially the same language as was in the Platforms of 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004?
Michael Steele: I have always been, and will always be, pro-life. I oppose abortion, period. I defended that position as Lieutenant Governor and as a candidate for the United States Senate in Maryland in 2006. I support the pro-life position in the platform and am committed to keeping it.
6. The feminists' attack on marriage was one major reason why unmarried women voted for Sen. Obama over Sen. McCain by a staggering 70% to 29%.
Do you agree that Republicans must support marriage and cut off the many incentives to divorce and unmarried motherhood that now exist in federal law and spending?
Michael Steele: Yes. The Republican Party must not only continue to be the party that defends traditional marriage as a union between one man and one woman but also advocates for government policies (federal, state and local) that encourages and promotes marriage and family. About 40% of the children born in the U.S. today are born to a one-parent family. That number is sadly even higher in minority communities. So when you look at the election results for Proposition 8 in California, what does that tell you? What steps should our Party take to begin to engage those voters who have spoken rather clearly about the sanctity of marriage? Moreover, the lack of fathers in homes is one major cause of the social and moral turmoil confronting our society today. Despite the drumbeat to the contrary, our leadership (political and legislative) has a responsibility (and an opportunity) to advocate on behalf of new incentives to promote traditional marriage, adoption, and strong families.
7. The New York Times headlined "Goodbye Reagan Democrats." Jobs are a major issue for Reagan Democrats, and many jobs are rapidly disappearing across America right now.
What should Republicans do to convince those who have lost their jobs or fear they may lose their jobs that Republican policies will result in more jobs than Democrat policies?
Michael Steele: People who have lost their jobs want to know how Republican policies will grow the economy and create more opportunity.
The GOP's message of lower taxes, less spending, and a smaller government benefits EVERY American, regardless of Party, or social status.
Under my leadership, the RNC will: 1. Always advocate for a stronger economy through less waste, lower taxes, and policies that promote small business growth; 2. Work closely with Republican Governors, state legislatures, and local elected officials to aggressively promote innovative and successful policy solutions designed to grow the economy and create jobs; 3. Partner with right-of-center advocacy groups who promote and develop policy ideas based on the principles of fiscal responsibility, economic growth, and individual empowerment. But most especially I want to take the message across this country that we will fight not only for people to get a job but to own the business!
8. The liberal media are trying to sell two contradictory messages about the 2008 elections.
First, that 52% of the popular vote is an overwhelming mandate for Barak Obama to move America massively to the left.
Second, that the 52% of the vote cast in California for Proposition 8, the Marriage Amendment, was such a squeaker that the victory has no long-term significance.
In fact, exit polls on November 4 showed that hispanics and blacks in California voted overwhelmingly for Proposition 8.
This indicates an opening for the Republican Party, which can attract large numbers of currently Democratic-leaning minorities on social issues which already are high priorities for most people who usually vote Republican.
As RNC chairman, what would you do to take advantage of this opening to broaden the base of the Republican Party?
Michael Steele: First, conservatives must act in a genuine way to demonstrate the truth of America: that every American regardless his or her station in life, upbringing or social status has the opportunity to turn their hopes into action and to realize the promise that is the American dream! Second, conservatives must act to demonstrate the truth of the Republican Party: that as the party of Lincoln stood with those whose hands and feet were shackled over a century ago, today we will stand with those who are shackled by the soft bigotry of low expectations in education, the de-humanizing effects of addiction and poverty and the hopelessness of lost opportunity at the hands of an opportunistic government. In other words, we must demonstrate that we are prepared to move outside our comfort zone.
As a conservative, I have served our party as a County Chairman in an overwhelmingly African American community (registration 5-1). I know how African Americans and other minorities view the Republican Party and I have proven I know how to engage the dialogue necessary to reestablish trust and support for our candidates and our party as a whole.
I am convinced our messages on traditional values and economic growth resonate with Asian, Hispanic, and African-American voters. Now the challenge and opportunity will be developing new strategies to communicate those messages. Presenting new solutions, new faces, new ways in which the GOP is seen to be relevant to the debate of ideas and in fact has ideas to share will work to restore voter confidence in our leadership.
Under my leadership, the RNC will conduct an aggressive effort to attract ethnic voters in a variety of ways including: 1. build coalitions and create a full-time grassroots presence in their communities -- not just at election time; 2. deliver a message centered on family, traditional marriage, choice and accountability in education; share strategies for creating a stronger economy that will produce more high-paying jobs; and 3. Recruit candidates for every office who reflect the demographic and ethnic makeup of the communities in which they are running.
9. On which issues do you believe the Republican Party should be most attractive to the growing number of Americans of Asian descent?
Michael Steele: I believe that Asian Americans are especially appreciative of our country's freedoms and the Republicans Party's commitment to protecting our individual liberties. Many Asian Americans have experienced dictatorships and totalitarianism. They welcome the opportunity to reap economic rewards from our capitalist system and value America's entrepreneurial spirit. But, our mistake in the past has been believing we have to "change our message" to suit a particular group. As Chairman, my job is to deliver a consistent message on the positions of our Party as defined by the Republican platform on our commitment to life, emphasis on marriage and family, and quality educational choices for their children; wealth creation and entrepreneurism; the limited role of government in their lives and the opportunity to realize the American Dream for their families. This is the message of our Party. We all share the same concerns about our families, jobs and schools; about the safety of our neighborhoods and about the values we wish to impart to our children. I am convinced this message resonates across ethnic lines and will draw diverse communities to give us another look.
10. It appears that left-wing organizations, Democratic Party organizations, and Democrat candidates worked closely together to produce their victories in 2008.
As RNC chairman, what would you do to work more closely with the many, large, effective conservative organizations which could work more effectively with Republicans in the future?
Michael Steele: If we are to regain the mantle of competence and innovation we lost in recent years, we must do so by becoming the party of ideas. But that's not enough. We must build alliances with and motivate blocks of voters and activists who share our ideas. In recent years, we haven't done a very good job of that. McCain-Feingold hurt us far more than it did the Democrats in this regard. That -- and because I believe it violates important safeguards of free-speech -- is why I opposed McCain-Feingold and will continue to do so.
Generally, there are three broad categories of organizations or groups we need to do a much better job coordinating with. 1. Those natural allied coalition groups based on specific issues that fall under the rubric of Republican principle (NRA, ATR, RTL, etc.); 2. Center-Right think-tank and advocacy groups which devise specific proposals on a wide array of contemporary policy concerns and/or educate and motivate public action around those proposals; and 3. Republican-affiliated candidates, office-holders, caucuses and organizations such as College and Young Republicans, and the NFRW.
We should work closely with these groups to help devise and promote free-market, pro-family ideas and initiatives. We need to be fully committed to compete for every vote, in every election, for every office, in every state.
We must also do a better job working with right-of-center media outlets -- embracing internet based media sources in particular.
As Chairman, I will create a task force made up of members of the policy, grassroots, communications, and coalition divisions of the RNC to work with these groups and media outlets. We will find ways to create stronger connections using the highest technology and online networking as well as good old fashioned face-to-face collaboration.
11. Do you think it is possible to strengthen the Republican coalition we have while expanding it? If so, what specific steps should Republicans take to achieve simultaneously both of these desirable goals?
Michael Steele: A bold approach to how we communicate and what we communicate offers our best opportunity to strengthen and at the same time expand our existing Republican coalitions.
I'm convinced that on just about any issue today, Republicans have the answer the American people want to hear. Whether on health care, energy, jobs, education, national security, and more, we can bring our principles to bear for a solution that is not only innovative but will be viewed as a popular and effective solution that contrasts aggressively against the Democrat answer.
We must also transform the way we communicate, organize, and raise funds on behalf of our existing coalitions by leveraging technology and embracing innovation. It is possible to implement such efforts while holding true to our Republican ideals.
As Chairman, I will: 1. Work more closely with the best right-of-center think tanks and organizations to help identify policy solutions that will resonate with the American People; 2. Partner with Republican Governors, legislators, and members of Congress to identify innovative best practices in the states and implement them nationally; 3. Communicate more effectively and forcefully those Republican ideas fully utilizing all types of media outlets, internet communications, and candidate training vehicles, etc. 4. Work with state parties to recruit candidates on every level, then train those candidates and provide them the resources and information they need, to win elections in every community in the country; 5. Also work with state and local parties to build a grassroots movement in every city, town, and community in America.
12. Unless Republicans can match the enormously increased fundraising of the Democrats and their allied left-wing organizations, it's difficult to see how we can begin again to win most elections.
As RNC chairman, what would you do to increase dramatically the fundraising capability of the Republican Party and the conservative organizations generally allied with it?
Michael Steele: Our Party raises more money than the Democrats when we can prove to donors that their money will help candidates win and the GOP message succeed. Unfortunately, the RNC has not inspired a lot of confidence in our donors lately, and they have not felt compelled to give to what they consider to be a losing cause. We have to do a much better job of talking with not just at our donors.
I believe that tactically the future of fundraising lies in the creation of a vast army of online contributors who give small amounts multiple times. Net dollars to the RNC will increase substantially if we can convince donors who give through our direct mail programs to instead give online. And cash-flow problems can be solved if we move regular donors into a small recurring commitment billed directly to their credit card or checking account each month. This, in my belief, is an important part of the way forward. Online giving is secure, cheap, instant, and effective.
As Chairman, I will fulfill and enhance my responsibilities associated with the RNC's high-dollar fundraising and giving programs I realize we can't rely entirely on online giving. But we must fully develop our opportunity there by placing a much higher priority on it. That's why it's my goal to recruit at least 250,000 donors from our current list of 1.9 million to contribute to the RNC online, and at least another 100,000 donors to commit to a small, recurring monthly contribution.
13. We can expect the Obama Administration and the Democrat-controlled Congress to use their power to pour taxpayer funds into the coffers of left-wing groups which support them politically and to try to use government power to weaken or cripple conservative groups which tend to support Republicans.
As RNC chairman, would you be a leader against government funding of politically active groups and a leader in defense of legitimate conservative groups targeted for attack by President Obama and his allies who control the Congress?
Michael Steele: The Democrats can indeed be expected to use the levers of government and government funding to support their various political allies from labor unions to community activist organizations, from radical environmentalists to left-wing social-issue organizations and everything in between.
The RNC must serve as a watchdog against such government sponsorship and a defender of conservative groups the leftists will inevitably target for extinction. It is the role of our Chairman to actively speak out against these unfair and unethical practices in every instance.
14. Exit polls show that students and other young voters voted about two to one for Barak Obama. In part this was because leftist groups and Democrats spent huge sums of money identifying and organizing college students in 2008.
Many studies have shown that, when young people start off in politics with a political party, they tend to favor that party for the rest of their lives.
Years ago, for legal reasons, the RNC stopped providing direct financial assistance to the College Republicans, and very few Republican campaigns invest in mass-based youth efforts.
Yet decades of experience show that large numbers of college students can be identified, organized, and activated in Republican campaigns where someone talented and skilled is provided the resources to do so.
As RNC chairman, what would you do to make sure College Republican field work is generously funded and to make sure that future Republican campaigns devote the time, talent, and money necessary to recruit large numbers of college students into Republican activity?
Michael Steele: The College Republican National Committee is a vast and un-tapped resource. Sadly, they are used for Volunteer Deployment and not much more. This must change. Not only are CR's the future of our party, they are the current foot-soldiers and leaders of our Party and we must keep them mobilized and engaged.
I'm committed to reviving the youth efforts that helped to elect Ronald Reagan. Because the CRNC exists as a 527 political organization, current law constrains the RNC's ability to fund them directly. Nevertheless, I will do everything I can within the parameters of the law to keep them engaged, well-trained, and well-funded. The College Republicans were my biggest grassroots asset as County Chairman, State Chairman and certainly in my campaigns for Lt. Governor and the U.S. Senate. I have had the privilege of addressing CR groups across the Country and have been so proud of the contributions they continue to give. They effectively raise money, actively recruit members on campuses all across our Country and provide local volunteers for party-building and winning campaigns -- a gift that will keep on giving for the future success of our party.
One of my first actions as Prince George's County Chairman, was to contact the CR chapter at University of Maryland so that I could get them involved in Party activities and get their input and support. I will lead by example in visiting college campuses, including historically black colleges, and urging state and local Republican leaders to do likewise. We will provide funding for state party efforts, including staff, aimed at enhancing student recruitment and integrating student volunteers into Republican campaigns up and down the ticket.
We will: 1. Create online opportunities for social networking among college campuses; 2. Provide funding for state party efforts, including staff, aimed at student recruitment; 3. Work hard to integrate student volunteers and other young people into Republican campaigns up and down the ticket; and, 4. Make college campuses and other youth-oriented venues hotbeds for volunteer recruitment, professional campaign training messaging.
15. In addition to vigorously expanding the Republican presence on college campuses, what must be done to give the Republican Party credibility with young people as a desirable alternative to Obama and the Democratic Congress? How would you build us as a party to which young people can relate personally?
Michael Steele: The liberal tilt of America's college campuses has put the GOP and conservatives in general at a significant disadvantage. Couple that with the "rock-star status" of a candidate like Barack Obama who effectively harnessed technology, rhetoric, and pop culture and you can see why the GOP fails miserably with young people.
But, new leadership creates new ways to connect to this generation of voters. Recruit better, engage more quickly and effectively, and provide young people with the confidence and the tools necessary for ideological victories on campus and political victories on campaigns.
One way we can regain credibility is to break down the negative stereotypes. We must demonstrate that we're not a party for the white, rich and the powerful. We must hold up the GOP mirror and let them see message of our party reflected in their lives. I just don't want to take a page from the Democrats' playbook, I want to improve on the use of pop culture, music, and technology to adapt and create a party that young people want to join.
16. Although restored fidelity to old messages will certainly be required to grow the Republican Party again, new messages are also essential. What new messages would you communicate as RNC chairman?
Michael Steele: First Message: We are the Conservative Party. Traditional Republican principles provide a popular perspective for policy engagement.
For example, I coined the phrase "Drill, baby drill" at the RNC convention in 2008, not as the entire solution to our energy problem but to get people listening to a clear example of how Republicans should be distinguished from Democrats on one important aspect of the energy issue
But energy is only one example. On any issue -- healthcare, education, infrastructure improvement, economic growth and new job creation, small business growth, urban development and renewal, tax fairness and simplification, and every other issue -- Republicans can beat Democrats simply by articulating innovative policy proposals based on time-tested, free-market, pro-family Republican principals.
Under my leadership, the RNC will conduct a strategic initiative designed to identify the audiences that will join our Republican coalition, the messages based on Republican ideals that will motivate them to do so, and then develop the tactical methods for successfully communicating those messages to identified audiences in a manner that resonates with them.
17. New faces will be an important factor if Republicans are to become the majority party again.
Should the recruitment of U.S. House and Senate candidates be entirely in the hands of the National Republican Congressional Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee? What should be the role of the RNC in recruitment of candidates at the congressional, state, and local levels? And how much money should the RNC invest in the next two years in candidate recruitment?
Michael Steele: There is too much talent within the RNC membership to leave candidate recruitment solely to the campaign committees. We need to work together to get the best candidates into the race. After all, state and local parties know their local players and dynamics better than Washington DC. This can set the stage for expanding the playing field with more competitive races as the overall environment changes.
18. No candidate is ever perfect, but what five or six factors do you think are most important in evaluating a potential Republican candidate?
Michael Steele: As a Republican County Chairman, Republican State Chairman and winning candidate for Lt Governor in the very blue state of Maryland, I found the most important factors involved with a strong, competitive candidate to include:
A. Strong commitment to Republican principles
B. Understanding of community values and issues
C. Ability to articulate motivational, contrasting messages concisely.
D. Ability to attract appropriate talent and resources.
E. Relevant experience.
F. Ability to inspire and motivate volunteers and grassroots.
G. Fire in the belly.
19. Meetings of the RNC are usually scripted so that virtually every word spoken is prepared in advance and every vote unanimous. Rarely is any serious matter put before the committee and debated openly.
What would you do as national chairman to open up meetings of the RNC and allow RNC members to debate meaningful issues and actually decide some policies of the RNC?
Michael Steele: I am big on input. I want to hear what people think. No scripts. I'd also like to see more member-only meetings (no staff) in which we enjoy a candid discussion of the various issues confronting our Party everything from strategy and messaging to structure and organization.
QUESTIONS RELATING TO CONSULTANTS
20.There are natural conflicts of interest between consultants and their clients.
For the RNC, what counts in the long run is the net money raised; for a fundraising consultant firm, what counts most is the number of prospect letters mailed.
Fundraising firms make much more money from prospect mailings than they do from cultivating their clients' existing donors. Therefore such firms don't give their highest quality attention to cultivating the client's housefile.
In fact, communications to RNC donors bang away at them in an effort to squeeze every last possible dollar from them.
What is seen is that some more money comes in. An RNC chairman should clearly understand that what is not seen is the large number of RNC donors who are turned off and resolve never to give to the RNC again.
What would you do as RNC chairman to treat RNC donors better and not turn them away from future giving by pressuring them so hard that they never want to give again?
Michael Steele: The manner in which the Republican National Committee raises money has become static. We need a new approach that engages our existing donors and expands our donor base utilizing a more cost-efficient method by using the latest technology and tools.
Rather than barraging our donors with solicitation after solicitation that says little more than "Send Us Your Money" we need to establish a dialogue. We must keep them engaged by keeping them informed; but we must also take the time to listen to them. Some of my greatest success as a candidate or Chairman of GOPAC has come after I've spent time just listening to the concerns and ideas of donors. They see themselves as more than just a "check writer". We should too. We need to have a regular and ongoing conversation with updates on activities the RNC is focusing on, solicit their ideas and get their input on how we can serve them, the grassroots, and the local and state parties better, and reward them for the invaluable service they provide for our Party.
21. Some political consultants deliberately warp the budgets of campaigns to spend as much as possible on commissionable advertising.
They completely or overwhelmingly neglect non-commissionable campaign expenditures on such ground-game activities as voter ID, voter registration, precinct organization, election-day turn out, youth efforts and other non-commissionable activity such as use of the new electronic technology.
What would you as RNC chairman do to warn candidates and party committees against employing such consultants?
Michael Steele: I am a grassroots guy. We need to lead by example. The RNC resources need to be directed to the Grassroots not to consultants. And our candidate schools agenda should reflect this approach to campaigns and consultants.
Unless a consultant has engaged in clearly unethical, illegal, or egregiously unprofessional behavior it is not my role to dictate to candidates which consultant they should or should not use or attempt in any way to influence their staffing decisions. Although I agree with the premise of the question and would speak out against the practice I will not to try to instruct candidates on which consultants to use.
Most political consultants need to learn the power of precinct, coalitions, and grassroots work. Under my leadership, we will establish a program to ensure they do.
22. Political consultants often are the only ones who make big bucks in politics. They can be identified in three different categories.
Some work only for conservative Republican candidates. Others work for any Republican candidate who will pay them, regardless of that candidate's philosophy. Others work for any candidate who will pay them, regardless of party.
What would you do as RNC chairman to make sure that Republican candidates would know in advance which of these three categories a consultant fits into?
Michael Steele: As Chairman, the RNC will not attempt to force or convince any state party or candidate to use any particular vendor or consultant. If asked for advice or guidance I will relay my experience with individual vendors or consultants, but only if asked.
23. National Republican staff compile lists of acceptable consultants and suppliers to recommend to candidates who seek money and other help from the RNC and other national Republican committees.
Sometimes candidates and state parties are told that they must hire those favored consultants, their associates, and other specific suppliers or they will get little or no help from the RNC.
Will the RNC under your chairmanship compile a list of favored consultants and suppliers and pressure candidates and state parties to hire them?
Michael Steele: As Chairman, I will make certain that the RNC does not operate under a political consulting patronage program. The RNC will not tell state parties what vendors to use. However, I do see the efficacy of creating a list of vendors for the members who have been RNC certified -- they have been through our training programs, understand the messaging we want delivered and are prepared to assist the party and campaigns at all levels. This does not mean, however, that a state party or campaign HAS to use vendors on such a list "or else" (no money, no support). It does mean the vendors are available should you need one especially if you don't know any vendors. I would reserve the right, also, to suggest state parties avoid vendors who have proven themselves guilty of egregious unethical, behavior.
24. Local and state Republican Party leaders are often upset at RNC fundraising letters which imply that the way to contribute to the local or state party is to write a check to the RNC.
Computer insertion by direct marketing consultants of the name of the local city or state into RNC fundraising letters in the past often seemed deliberately intended to give donors that impression.
This causes donors to respond to fundraising appeals by state and local parties with irate and incorrect statements that they recently gave to those state and local committees.
What would you do as RNC chairman to prevent the RNC from mailing such misleading letters in the future?
Michael Steele: We must construct a more collaborative relationship between the RNC and state and local parties. First, know that under my leadership, there won't be donor-only states. We'll work hard to compete in every state.
Further, there is nothing I find less appealing than duplicitous and deceptive direct mail tactics. Many of these tactics take advantage of the elderly and I absolutely deplore them. As we continue to rely on direct mail for fundraising dollars it will be important for the RNC to move towards an increased role for online giving. As Chairman I will never approve any piece of mail (or email) that deliberately misleads donors.
25. Fundraising consultants for national Republican committees frequently send out mass mailings which include up to 40 opinion questions.
Opinion surveys can be useful, but in 2008 long issue surveys didn't ask a single question about immigration or illegal aliens. This insulted and offended many Republicans.
As RNC chairman, would you make sure that the major issues important to most Republicans are included in wide-ranging surveys mailed in mass numbers by the RNC?
Michael Steele: Yes. As Chairman, I will always make sure that the RNC is engaged in open, honest, and frank discussions on all issues, not just the issues receiving the most attention at the time, but all issues facing our Party. Our Party suffers when we avoid issues because it may offend some segment of the American electorate or even worse, other Republicans. Our discussions should be based on the principles that define us and not on a feel-good approach that attempts to make everyone happy.
26. What political consultants are assisting you in your campaign for RNC chairman?
Michael Steele: I have a large number of Republican activists helping on my campaign over 5,000 have signed up online. I am not paying fees to any professional consultant for their services to my campaign. Among those who are volunteering are: Tony Marsh and Lance Copsey of Marsh Copsey Associates; Blaise Hazelwood of Grassroots Targeting; Curt Anderson of On Message, Inc.; and Kevin Igoe of Igoe Associates.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND PLANS
27.Many people decide to join the Republican Party because they believe it is the best vehicle to advance their conservative principles.
Then they see their party leaders and party committees supporting liberal or content-free Republican incumbents for re-nomination.
Or they see their party leaders or party committees supporting non-conservatives for nomination in open seats, giving as a reason that a more conservative candidate "can't win."
Or in general elections they see their party leaders or party staff disproportionately directing party resources to non-conservative party nominees rather than to conservative party nominees.
What would you do as RNC chairman that would assure conservatives that such objectionable practices will not happen on your watch?
Michael Steele: To regain our credibility as the party of conservative principles, we need to identify and recruit talented candidates who will carry those principles into battle. I will support recruitment efforts wherever we don't have an existing Republican candidate. I am not inclined to even attempt to pick winners in Republican primaries. I will support Republican nominees -- all Republican nominees. Of course, those most committed to winning by best articulating our core Republican message and successfully attracting resources and votes will be rewarded with all of the resources we can offer. As a general rule, however, the RNC under my leadership will work hard to contest every election, appeal to every voter, everywhere.
28. The results of the 2010 elections will largely determine the congressional and state legislative reapportionment for a decade.
In past decades, the RNC and the National Republican Congressional Committee have designated small working groups to plan and coordinate Republican efforts in the run-up to reapportionment.
Prior to the 1990 elections, for example, such a working group focused not just on state legislative races and gubernatorial races. They also developed and implemented plans for state supreme court elections, media strategies, legal strategies, etc.
Regarding reapportionment and redistricting, what would you do as RNC chairman? And how much RNC money would you allocate to this vitally important matter?
Michael Steele: Preparation for the reapportionment and redistricting process is essential to Republican political success in the second decade of the twenty-first century. I am fully committed to using the resources necessary to ensure a fair reapportionment process in all 50 states, encompassing the full spectrum of elected offices.
The RNC, under my Chairmanship, will: 1. establish an RNC Redistricting Office which will provide direct access to all 50 state working groups; 2. provide legal and technical assistance to each state working group; 3. Develop state-of-the-art technology for assembling, accessing, and mapping relevant demographic and vote history data; 4. Provide the most talented redistricting experts available to consult with and assist each state work group.
As Maryland State Party Chairman, I sued the incumbent Democrat Governor over his unfair re-districting plan and Maryland Courts overturned his partisan gerrymandered state legislative plan. Democrat legislative leaders were found to have committed ethical violations by attempting to influence the Court's decision and I brought ethics charges against several members of the State Senate including the Senate President. When it comes to getting a fair shake for Republicans in the reapportionment and redistricting process, I won't hesitate to play hardball regardless of the opponent.
29.Some RNC chairmen over the years have been full-time chairmen. Others have held the post and retained other political or business responsibilities.
If elected, would you be a full-time RNC chairman?
Michael Steele: I will be a full-time chairman.
30. When Democrats hold the White House, the RNC chairman must serve often as "the face of the Republican Party."
Are you confident that you have the speaking skills and effective presence on television to perform successfully against those whom the Democrats would put up against you?
Michael Steele: Because I believe so passionately that our Republican ideals can enrich the lives of all Americans -- regardless of race, gender, geography, or class -- I have specifically sought to speak directly to Americans through a variety of outlets. I have had the privilege of speaking at two national conventions and the honor of representing our country at the Vatican and in Africa and the Middle East. I have also thoroughly enjoyed engaging in the public discourse that appeals to a slightly different audience through The Colbert Report and the Bill Mahr Show.
A memorable and effective speaker is equal parts passion, purpose, and knowledge. I have been that for our Party and will be that as your Chairman.
31. There's a consensus that the major national media were overwhelmingly unfavorable to the Republican Party and its candidates in the recent election. This biased coverage helped create a bandwagon effect for Democrats.
What plans would you implement to get for Republicans a more even break in the news media leading up to the 2010 elections?
Michael Steele: For too long there has been a "them vs. us" mentality towards the media. Outlets perceived, however correctly, as biased have been completely shunned. We need to engage these outlets, include them in our media tours, and re-open the dialogue. After all, there is a reason Hillary and Barack appeared on Fox. Strong and clear messages delivered by assertive messengers will form the building blocks necessary to rebuild a palpable Republican presence in all 50 states.
As RNC Chairman, I personally will begin this process but will also work to develop this capability across the party by training state and local organizations and candidates on how to work with the press and how to push for consistency and fidelity in media reporting.
An innovative RNC would also recognize that traditional media is not the only way to speak to voters. We have to recapture our position of leadership in political technology by investing in emerging marketing tools that leverage wireless and internet platforms. Leadership in this arena now will enable us to overcome existing media hierarchies and communicate more directly with voters in 2010 and beyond. Moreover, I intend to create an 'RNC Intranet" to facilitate the communication of strategies and information among the members to share with local and state media. Communication in politics like location in real estate means everything!
32. Surveys showed a dramatic decline in recent years in the number of Americans identifying themselves as Republicans. It has frequently been said that our party "lost its brand."
What must be done to recover the more favorable opinion people recently had for the Republican Party? If it's a matter of "recovering our brand," what strategy and tactics should the party use to re-introduce itself attractively to the American people?
Michael Steele: In a post-election survey I asked the Tarrance Group to conduct on GOPAC's behalf, we found some interesting things. 69% of Americans consider themselves fiscal conservatives; 53%, social conservatives; and, 55% of Americans still perceive Ronald Reagan as best example of Republican principles at work. And, yet, a majority of Americans don't feel the Republican Party has been standing up for its ideals. This dichotomy has come to be referred to as our "brand problem." Some in our own party say we've lost our way. That may be, but, in my time as GOPAC Chairman, I've met so many state and local Republican leaders who live the "brand" every day and whom I wish Americans knew more about.
I invite proponents of a Republican "marketplace of ideas" to join me in building an RNC that leverages its intimacy with state and local leaders to highlight and share the successes of Republicans in state houses, gubernatorial mansions, and on city councils. The RNC should certainly be the highway for the flow of expertise and dollars but why not of innovation as well? By sharing and highlighting the novel and practicable solutions championed by Republican leaders across the country we can demonstrate again the pragmatic conservatism that earned voters' trust in the first place.
Tactically, our message carrying techniques must be revisited and refined to reflect the same caliber ingenuity. We must re-engage our media partners to ensure the positive tone and common sense content of our message has an opportunity to reach the public. We have to invest in new technology in order to reach audiences in new ways through a more thoughtful presence on social networking sites, blogs, and high-traffic websites. Clearly, we need to ensure state, local, and campaign communications have more timely access to thought-leaders and leaders in Washington.
33. To become again the majority party, Republicans must identify, recruit, and train large numbers of new activists and leaders.
As RNC chairman, what would you do to multiply our Republican recruitment and training of new activists and leaders at the state and local levels?
Michael Steele: I plan to recruit and train 25,000 new activist leaders by 2012. To make this army a reality, as Chairman, I will:
* Ask the people who know. I will enlist our state party officials and operatives to quickly get the RNC up to speed on the lessons learned and best practices in each state for recruitment. As the activists most intimately in touch with voters, state and local leaders' insights will help the RNC ramp up recruitment more rapidly and efficiently.
* Ask all the people who know. I will lead a 50-state recruitment effort to ensure every Republican in every district has an opportunity to become a thoughtful and effective community leader.
* Recruit as one. State party and RNC outreach and voter registration must work together as one effort. By sharing technological investments and protocols we can begin developing the tools to harmonize outreach efforts and connect activists in a comprehensive and real-time manner.
* Train to win. Activist enthusiasm and energy has to be fed with knowledge and resources. The RNC, under my chairmanship, will lead the way in cultivating activists through training tailored to their spheres of operation.
Ambitious change requires time, energy and resources. But, with the right people in place, firm goals and a spirit of cooperation and collaboration, we will -- from the local level on up -- boost volunteer recruitment and programs.
34.What are the principal assets you would bring to the chairmanship?
Michael Steele: Many Republicans first came to know me through some of my media appearances. I feel fortunate to have had a very positive relationship with the media and even more fortunate to have found that the passion I have for our movement resonates so strongly with Republicans all over the country. Certainly, I plan to continue leveraging that communications connection.
What some Republicans may not realize, though, is what it is that feeds the energy that seems to have become my hallmark. While others talk about returning to the grassroots, I've quite simply never left. I've always felt our "on the ground" operations were what kept us connected to the voters and what put Republicans in office. Grassroots networks will continue to be the source of our best ideas and our most promising opportunities.
It's been tremendously satisfying, then, to have led GOPAC for almost 2 years now, coordinating with and supporting state and local Republican candidates. As GOPAC Chair, we raised more money in the 2008 cycle than in any other in GOPAC's history more than $8 million dollars for our state parties, legislative caucuses and legislative candidates.
I've also campaigned personally for Republican candidates in more than a dozen states this year in addition to the states I visited on behalf of our presidential nominee. In stumping for these Republicans on the frontlines and fundraising in every conceivable corner of the country, I have had the opportunity to work closely with a diversity of Republican leaders. I've worked with Republican leaders from Vermont to Vidalia, leaders tagged as "traditionalist" and those characterized as "reformist." I bring to this post an appreciation for the nuances across the spectrum of political thought and ideology; but most importantly, a firm understanding of the principles that unite us.
35. What are your deficiencies, and how would you organize the RNC to make up for those deficiencies?
Michael Steele: As a county chairman, a state chairman, a candidate and as an elected official, I've had the opportunity to view the RNC through various lenses and can bring a local activist's and state candidate's sensibilities to the chairmanship. Yet, that alone will not be enough. No one person's experiences will be enough to transform the RNC. To bring as much insight and wisdom into our operations as possible, I will build strong bridges to state party officials and develop a seasoned staff who will support my efforts to create build a party unified in message but also in operation.
36. Do you think we need an institutionally strong chairman, or do you favor a team approach at the RNC?
Michael Steele: Even the most venerable of institutions can become lethargic, intransigent, and overly impressed with itself. With as much work as we have ahead of us, we cannot afford to be any of the above! I propose that the most effective RNC would be one that views itself and organizes itself as a conduit for action, knowledge, and resources. Designed to support Republican candidates and activists in all 50 states, the RNC I seek to lead would work as a team in order to harvest the very best ideas and the brightest talent from across the nation. But let me be clear, my expectation of the membership as their Chairman is that they be prepared to roll up their sleeves and work to strengthen and expand this Movement. This great work of ours will be difficult. It will be frustrating. And it will require 21st Century leadership.
37. What are you personally doing now to help Saxby Chambliss win re-election in Georgia?
Michael Steele: Saxby Chambliss is a wonderful example of a Senator who represents and fights for the values and real time concerns of his constituency. To support his reelection campaign I focused on getting that message out o the real voters of Georgia both in national but, more importantly, in local media. As a party we need to focus on the people who live and work in our districts. We need to speak to them directly and we need to facilitate their grassroots and turnout. This was a message that aligned to the Senator's strategy and helped Republicans bring a strong senator back to Washington for 6 more years.