Michael Steele

“The first thing that I would do is what I've been doing for the last 10 years, which is speaking truth to power.”

“Honest and principled debate is a healthy sign of a vibrant democracy.”

“I'm not an ideologue. I'm a consequentialist.”

“We need to get back to the mesa, to the level ground where we can have a conversation.”

“We're a nation of laws. We're a nation of immigrants.”

“Look, I'm a Catholic, and I have a very strong faith. It's not a political football for me.”

“You can't be a 21st-century party with a 19th-century message.”

“There is no 'us' and 'them.' It's just 'us'.”

“For the last 40 years, the Republican Party has been a big tent. We are the party of reform.”

“The party of Lincoln should be reaching out to all people.”

“My job is not to be the 'Black leader.' My job is to be a leader.”

“I am a product of the people, the environment, the community that I was brought up in.”