“I’m still in it to hold a mirror up to my GOP colleagues,” former RNC Chair Michael Steele tells us in this episode. “To show them how unLincolnlike they have become.”
Michael Steele has borne painful witness to that transformation over the past two-plus decades as the first African American Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, then RNC Chair in 2009-2011, as well as US Senate Candidate.
Steele may have been one of the first prominent Republicans to push back on the populist redirection of the party back in 2009 when he tussled with popular right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh over who led the Republican party.
“It did say a lot about a base that had become very animated and defensively protective,” Steele recalls of the pushback from that episode, including a drop in RNC fundraising.
Steele reexamines that moment in recent GOP history and reflects on a GOP today that, in his view, has turned its back on conservative principles of personal liberty and freedom, and also long-held Republican positions on US foreign policy.
“Reagan is probably looking at their dance with Putin, Orban and others, going: who are these people?”
Join us for an informed, concerned discussion with Michael Steele, now an MSNBC host and commentator, on why Americans need to stay civically engaged despite the political theatrics of this 2024 election year and our current political era.
The Purple Principle is a Fluent Knowledge production; original music by Ryan Adair Rooney.
SHOW NOTES
Our Guest
Micheal Steele, MSNCB Political Analyst, Former RNC Chairman, and Former Lt. Gov, (Maryland). Twitter.
Join Us for Premium Content:
Apple: https://link.chtbl.com/PurpleApple
Patreon: patreon.com/purpleprinciplepodcast
Find us online!
Twitter: @purpleprincipl
Facebook: @thepurpleprinciplepodcast
Youtube: @thepurpleprinciple
Our website: https://bit.ly/2ZCpFaQ
Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/2UfFSja
Revisiting GOP Party Dynamics: The Decline of Moderates & Rise of Populism
Great American Independents (Part Two): Andrew Heaton on Liberty, Justice & Satire for All
Great American Independents (Part One): Amy Chua on Political Tribalism
Strength in Diversity, Weakness in One Party Rule? These Not So United States (CA Finale)
2022 California Primaries by Faction & Tortilla with Gustavo Arellano: These Not So United States (CA Part 2)
One Golden State, Two Democratic Parties: These Not So United States (CA Part 1)
Georgia On All Our Minds: These Not So United States
Politically Persuadable But Focused on Jobs? Hispanic American Swing Voters (Part 1)
Like Family, Like Nation: A Braver Angel Mediates Polarization at Home & Nationwide
Is Texas the Future of America? These Not So United States (TX Finale)
A New American Operating System? These Not So United States (TX Part 6)
Lone Star Launch Pad for Rear-Guard America? These Not So United States (TX Part 5)
Polarized Politics & Hispanic Identity: These Not So United States (TX Part 4)
Growth, Diversity & One Party Politics? These Not So United States (TX Part 3)
Strongest Identity of Them Y’all? These Not So United States (TX Part 2)
Messing with that Texas Identity? These Not So United States (TX Part 1)
Heard the One About a Centrist Congressman? Carlos Curbelo on Polarization in the House
Voice of Reason for Independent Minds: Talking Media & Polarization with CNN's Michael Smerconish
The United States of Narcissism? Speaking of Democracy’s Worst Enemies
Wait, I’m Not the Crazy One! Sarah Longwell, Conservative Watchdog of Republican Sanity
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free