Friday, January 30, 2009

Steele Makes History As New GOP Chief

Michael Steele was elected Republican National Committee chairman today, defeating the incumbent party chief and three other challengers over six rounds of voting to become the first black to lead the GOP.

The former Maryland lieutenant governor takes over a beleaguered GOP as Republicans seek to rebound from back-to-back defeats in national elections that gave Democrats control of Congress and the White House.

Steele, the most moderate candidate in the field, is considered an outsider because he's not a committee member. He won 91 votes out of a possible 168 in the sixth round. A simple majority of 85 was needed, but it took six rounds for Steele to win.

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