Echoes from the convention halls

Michael Steele left them wanting more at the Republican National Convention last night -- the first speaker of the evening to really get the crowd going.

Washington Post CW-shaper Chris Cillizza said the speech was so well done that those "who saw Steele tonight saw someone who will be a candidate for some sort of office (local or national) down the line." Steele himself has said he may run for governor is Bob Ehrlich declines to do so in 2010.

Steele spoke like someone who isn't burning his bridges just yet. His 2008 speech contained even less direct attacks on the Democratic nominee, not even naming him once.

In fact, Steele's 2004 speech referred to Barack Obama by name, in a way that sort of praised the unknown Illinois state Senator.

"Now, I had planned to give a moving defense of the conservative principles of the Republican Party tonight," he said in New York, "but there was one problem: Barack Obama gave it last month at the Democratic Convention."

Compare that to last night, where he called for "a leader who will work in the public's interest, not clamor for the public's applause."

Steele's speech was a good call-and-answer formula that should help him out with national GOP donors down the line. It'll have no harmful effect on his future in Maryland politics.