A Young Man, Who was holding a sign that said: "BLACKS AGAINST OBAMA".

If the Republican Party will find a way to reconnect with the American people, Michael Steele must come across as the face of the republican party.

Steele defeated a field that included South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson, Michigan party Chairman Saul Anuzis, former Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell, and Mike Duncan, who had been the RNC chairman since 2007, when he was named by President Bush.

Steele defeated Dawson on the sixth ballot by a vote of 91 to 77. Eighty-five votes were needed to win.

Let me be straight-forward in a way I think Michael Steele would appreciate: A black Catholic who grew up in D.C. and lives in Prince George's County becomes a Republican, overcoming social pressure and withstanding abuse, because he believes in conservative ideas and the way they can serve all communities, not because he wishes to be a squishy moderate beloved of the Beltway press. The knock on his pro-life credentials has always struck me as silly, and his leaving the RLC should quiet that line of attack.

"I want this gig," Steele said this evening on Hannity & Colmes. "And, Alan, I'm coming at you, baby, I'm coming at you!"

Hannity said he would support Steele's candidacy and asked Steele if he would stand for conservatives as Chairman.

Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele has decided to run for the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee, a move sure to shake up the evolving race for control of a party demoralized by broad losses at the ballot box earlier this month. Steele confirmed his candidacy in an interview today with The Fix and announced it formally during an interview on Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes" show this evening.

The Republican Party is a coalition of interests. The GOP needs a leader who understands those interests, can balance their concerns, can motivate people to act, can build and sustain a political organization that can once again claim victory in national elections.

Gingrich: "I think Michael Steele is a great, great talent. He certainly would offer the kind of vivid, strong voice that we could use, and I think that the party would do very well if he ends up being chairman.