Michael “Man-O” Steele: Super Hero of Hard Truth

March 21st, 2010 | By Sonnie Johnson

I’m standing in the Republican Capital Hill Club conversing with Lester Phillips, candidate for 5th Congressional Seat in AL, when I noticed “that’s Michael Steele”.  I immediately began to run my questions in my mind.  This was the moment I had been waiting for,  the moment I got to meet my Hero in the 2008 elections.

Nervous.  In one word, that’s all I felt.  Let me qualify that.  I’m not a believer in making Men idols.  This wasn’t the greatest event in my life nor was it the second greatest event,  it was simply a moment I got to meet and greet a part of American History.  The first Black man elected Chairman of the Republican Party, the Anti-Slavery Party.  My Party.

I approached Michael Steele and a bright smile appeared on his face.  “Hey, I’m so glad you’re here”.

“You don’t even know me.”  I smiled back as only I could.

“That’s why I’m glad you’re here.  Now I can get to know you.”   Instead of my list of prepared questions, I ended up telling Michael Steele how inspirational he was and how he affected my acceptance of the Republican Party.  He stood quietly and listened to me speak, even while actual candidates gathered around waiting for their turn to converse with the RNC Chairman.  It wasn’t the grounding breaking interview I’d hoped for but it left me happy and smiling.

We were then prompted to take our seats as Chairman Steele took the podium.  This was my first forum, of any kind, and I was expecting a roof raising, highly passionate march towards victory speech.  Instead Michael Steele gave the room full of potential candidates what all black conservatives are seeking from their leadership, TRUTH.

“Some of you will not win.  So, what happens when you lose?”  Steele asked a crowd with hushed breath.

At that moment Michael Steele became the man I hoped he would be.   He stroked no egos.  He held no punches.  He didn’t waste time painting some fancy portrait about how “This is the year of the Black Republican”.  He didn’t promise a Black Face at the head of the Republican Party would produce a whole crop of new High Level Black Republicans.

Instead, he placed the weight of each campaign squarely on the shoulders of the candidates.  If they didn’t communicate with each other and learn the trade secrets, “Shame on You”.    If they didn’t seek out and access the many tools at their disposal through the RNCC, “Shame on You”.  If you lose and give up…….I guess you get the point.

Michael Steele demanded self-accountability of his candidates, most of which are still fighting in Republican Primaries in their Districts.  He didn’t favor them because of their color, he demanded they understand the situation and realize this is an on-going battle.   He didn’t coddle with rhetoric intended to rile the candidates up, he hit them with hard doses of reality meant to humble their very existence.

I sat in the back of the room and watched the candidates sit like statues.  I wish I could’ve seen their faces.  Since they had arrived at the Washington Marriott, the candidates had been attacked by people like me and other reporters.  They were floating on top of the world and I accept my responsibility in giving them that feeling.  Michael Steele gave them what no one else could, the realization they were not to big to fail.

He left them with the only thing that really matters in this world, Perserverence.  He recounted his unsuccessful 2006 campaign for a U.S. Senate seat in Maryland.  He told the candidates how he broke fundraising records in the state and still lost the election.  But only through that loss did he have the chance to run for and capture the head position in the GOP.   Failure was not the worst thing that could happen, failing to get back up was.