Michael Steele Brings Criticism to a Conversation about the GOP 

The former RNC chairman reflects on a Republican Party identity crisis and the battle to reclaim its values on Rational Revolution

In a new episode of Rational Revolution, host Mark Becker welcomes Michael Steele. He is a former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, and the first Black chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC). Steele is now a co-host of The Weekend on MSNBC and continues to be a critical voice in the conversation about the future of the GOP. Becker and Steele discuss everything from the party’s historical role in social progress to the importance of adapting and welcoming diverse voices, something he championed during his tenure as RNC Chairman.

“America of 2024 is not the America of 2020, let alone 1950 or 1876,” Steele says. “But how do we thrive if we don’t evolve?”

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LISTEN to the entire episode here:

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Steele explains he was committed to an inclusive GOP, one that invited fiscal conservatives with a conscience into its fold.

Becker tells Steele he described himself as that fiscal conservative with a social conscience and the only GOP official in Wisconsin to support marriage equality. He credits Steele for setting an example of what the Republican Party could be. 

“You always made sure there was a place at your table for someone like me,” Becker says.

Whether Donald Trump wins or loses in 2024, the fight for the soul of the Republican Party begins.

Michael Steele, former RNC chairman

Steele admits the party has veered far from the values it once stood for. 

“The Republican Party of today is not the Republican Party of the past. The rise of Donald Trump and his influence is a turning point. You can’t have a soul if you spend most of your time bent over,” Steele responds.

It is a biting remark aimed at figures like Senator Ron Johnson and Lindsey Graham. Steele accuses both of becoming champions for Trump’s brand of politics. And he explains his dismay at the party’s transformation is actually rooted in history. He reminds listeners the GOP has struggled with its identity, from post-Civil War battles to Jim Crow, and even during the conservative pivot with Nixon’s Southern strategy. The party once stood as a beacon of liberty and equality but has receded into something unrecognizable, according to Steele. 

“I have a deep frustration over the current GOP’s stance on issues like immigration, race relations, and LGBTQ+ rights. These are issues the party once led on,” Steele explains.  

He reminisces with Becker about his early days in the party, supporting the Log Cabin Republicans, an LGBTQ+ group within the GOP, criticizing those who have turned their backs on such inclusive principles. 

“People don’t even know what a Log Cabin Republican is today,” Steele says, while discussing the party’s historical role in championing individual liberties.

Becker shares his personal experiences, including his infamous phone call with Senator Ron Johnson following the 2020 election, where Johnson refused to publicly acknowledge Trump’s loss.

“The party has no moral compass,” Becker says. 

“We are feeding the beast,” Steele responds, calling the current direction of the GOP dangerous and un-American.

Taking time to look forward, Steele emphasizes the future of the GOP should be determined by the battles ahead. 

“Whether Donald Trump wins or loses in 2024, the fight for the soul of the Republican Party begins,” he says. “I encourage those who believe in a more inclusive and principled GOP to stand firm, even as the current party seems to embrace divisive rhetoric and authoritarian tendencies.”

Becker points at the broad alliances forming against Trump. And while Steele agrees, he also describes the situation as absurd.  

“It shouldn’t take that kind of coalition to defeat a convicted felon who tried to overturn a democratic election,” he explains. “The stark reality of this political moment is clear. The fight for the soul of the Republican Party is not just a battle for its future, but for the future of American democracy itself. The battle is coming, and we need to be ready to stand for the values that truly make this country great.”