Gregory Bedell, a former Republican candidate for Rahm Emmanuel’s old congressional seat, has sent a letter to the Republican National Committee in support of GOP chairman Michael Steele. Chief among Bedell’s reasons for supporting Steele is the chairman’s efforts to “grow the tent.” “We need blacks, hispanics, Asians and other ‘non-traditional’ constituents who understand and agree with the GOP philosophy,” Bedell writes. “Who better, or who else really, than Mr. Steele to continue the work to make the Republican party a bigger, more diverse party. Answer: no one.” Read the full letter below.
Dear RNC Member,
I write to express my support, and enlist your support, for Michael Steele. By way of introduction, I most recently was campaign counsel to Isaac Hayes in his valiant effort to unseat Jesse Jackson Jr. in the Illinois 2nd Congressional District. I also “burned some shoe leather” walking precincts for the new Republican Congressman for Il-10, Robert Dold. I have a bit of a candidate’s perspective, too, as I ran myself in the Republican primary in the 2009 Special Election for the 5th Congressional District when Rahm Emmanuel left that seat to be Chief of Staff.
For several key reasons I believe Mr. Steele should continue as RNC Chairman. I’ve had the opportunity to meet him a few times and believe from what I’ve heard that he has the correct focus on core Republican issues (low taxes, small Federal government, the extraordinary value of individual effort and responsibility) and he is an unbelievable communicator. I was present when he held a room of Chicagoland Republican professionals riveted as he laid out his plan for last November’s election.
In addition, all agree that the GOP needs to “grow the tent.” We need blacks, hispanics, Asians and other “non-traditional” constituents who understand and agree with the GOP philosophy. Who better, or who else really, than Mr. Steele to continue the work to make the Republican party a bigger, more diverse party. Answer: no one.
Michael Steele is right on the issues; he’s right on the presentation; and, he’s right on growing the tent. As I said to him when I met him the first time and shook his hand: “I need you to do something for me…… don’t stop! Don’t stop saying what your saying and how you’re saying it.” He was greatly appreciative (although I’m sure he doesn’t remember) and I still mean it today.
Gregory A. Bedell
Chicago/Glenview, Illinois