David Nitkin, Baltimore Sun
- Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele entered the race for U.S. Senate two years ago with a major push from President Bush and his allies.
National Republican leaders were looking to build their party’s brand identity among African-Americans, touting Steele, Lynn Swann of Pennsylvania and Ken Blackwell of Ohio as part of a new breed of candidates who would help expand the GOP tent.
It was a tough sell in a post-Katrina environment. All three lost; Steele was defeated by Democrat Ben Cardin.
But Steele continues to stay near the spotlight, partly with help from his friends on Pennsylvania Avenue and elsewhere in Washington. Since his defeat, Steele has served as chairman of GOPAC, which recruits and trains Republican candidates for state and local office.
