Steele would give “high consideration” to a Cabinet position

Former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele told PolitickerMD.com today that he would give “high consideration” to accepting a cabinet position if Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) is elected president in November and offers the Marylander a seat.

“I’d look to help Sen. McCain in any way possible,” Steele said when asked if he would be interested in the vice presidency or any other cabinet position.

Initially, Steele said the idea was “so not on the page,” saying he was focused on his responsibilities as chairman of GOPAC, the conservative political action committee (PAC) that trains Republican candidates to run for elected office.

When asked if he would rule out the notion, however, Steele said, “No.”

“My mother taught me that you don’t rule anything out,” he added.

It was then that Steele mentioned his high regards for McCain, and after saying he would have to discuss the idea of a cabinet position with his family, Steele acknowledged that he would highly consider the opportunity.

The former lieutenant governor also weighed-in on the defeat of Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Kennedyville) in Maryland’s Feb. 12 congressional primary.

Steele said there were “a number of variables” that led to a victory for state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) in the first district race, but the “change mindset” that Steele said has been present in “every election” in the 2008 cycle, was most important.

Former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-GA) and Steele headlined an Annapolis fundraiser for Gilchrest back on Jan. 10.

The GOPAC chairman said he “believes strongly” in supporting a Republican incumbent, like Gilchrest, in a “liberal state” like Maryland.

Now that Harris has won, Steele said he was “on board,” and would vigorously support the state senator in the November election against State’s Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville).

Steele expressed anger at Gilchrest for the congressman’s refusal to endorse Harris, and the notion that he may support Kratovil. The former lieutenant governor called on Gilchrest to “stop” what he referred to as “crazy talk.”

“This is not personal—it’s about party,” Steele said.

Both Gilchrest and Kratovil share moderate political views.

Steele said he had “no animosity” for Harris, and said he called the state senator to express his support after the primary.

The former lieutenant governor also had some harsh words for Kratovil, calling him one of the “Trojan horses” who has been “groomed over the years” by the Democratic Party.

Steele linked Kratovil to other middle of the road Democrats like former Gov. Mark Warner (D-VA), Gov. Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC), saying they run for office on a moderate to conservative agenda, but “vote liberal” once in office. He specifically referred to Shuler’s support for Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) in her successful bid to become Speaker of the House.

“(Kratovil) will not be an advocate of the hard-core values of the (first) district,” Steele said.

Earlier this week, Steve Meehan, Kratovil’s campaign manager, described Maryland’s First Congressional District as a “pretty middle of the road place.”

Turning back to the presidential race, Steele said he thought McCain would be a “rather exciting nominee.”

“I think he will find a way to energize the base,” Steele said.

He also said he thought McCain would “take it to” the Democratic nominee, whether it is Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) or Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY).

McCain has come under intense criticism from far-right conservatives like Rush Limbaugh for his more moderate positions on issues like illegal immigration.

Still, Steele said McCain would be able to “rhetorically lift the base as he lifts the country.”

The GOPAC chairman acknowledged that he did not think McCain could go “toe to toe” with Obama in terms of his ability to inspire people, but said McCain’s “dogged determination” and “bold initiatives” would get him elected.

Steele said he thought the economy would be the “number one issue” in the campaign, while also saying that the war in Iraq and the health care debate would be very important.

On the Democratic race, Steele said he was “astounded” by the number of people who had the “desire” to get Clinton “out of the race.”

NBC News currently projects Obama with 1366 pledged delegates, to Clinton’s 1227. The addition of those declared superdelegates leaves Obama with roughly 1579 delegates to Clinton’s 1481.

Despite the fact that Clinton cannot mathematically win the nomination on pledged delegates alone, Steele pointed-out that Obama is in the same position.

“He can’t either,” Steele said in regards to Obama winning on pledged delegates.

A Democrat needs 2,025 delegates to secure the nomination, meaning that both candidates will have to rely on superdelegates to take them over the top. Still, it is virtually impossible for Clinton to overtake Obama in terms of a pledged delegate lead, so the only way she can prevail is to have the superdelegates overturn Obama’s lead.

Many party insiders have said such a scenario would bitterly divide Democrats and be devastating to the party’s chances of winning back the White House in November.

Steele admitted that he was greatly interested in the contest, calling the race “awesome.”

“I’ve got my popcorn ready,” he said.

Back on the Republican side, Steele said it was difficult for him to stay out the nominating contest, but said his “obligation” was to GOPAC.

“I’ve learned that it’s best not to tick-off the other donors,” Steele said in reference to why he did not endorse a Republican candidate during the primary.

Steele said he considered McCain, former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AK), and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani “three good friends.”

He also said he had a “warm relationship” with former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA), but did not know him as well as the three other presidential candidates.

This morning, on National Public Radio, political correspondent Juan Williams included Steele in a list of potential Republican vice presidential candidates. Williams said Steele would offer diversity and "pizzazz" to the GOP ticket.

Steele has been chairman of GOPAC since February 2007. In that time, he said the organization has made improvements, and had some difficulties.

On the positive side, Steele said the PAC had achieved organizational success in the “conversion of material into a twenty-first century format,” adding that candidates and supporters could now receive “up to the minute” information.

On the other hand, Steele acknowledged that he has been “frustrated” by the organization’s inability to win back so-called “charter members,” those individuals who the PAC relies on to raise money. The former lieutenant governor said there were some 300 charter members of GOPAC in 2000, while only 25 remained when he took over last year.

Steele said this would be a priority in 2008, but said helping Republican candidates at all levels to get elected from the across the country would continue to be GOPAC’s number one goal.