Michael Steele: Time is Ticking to Reclaim the Republican Party

MSNBC host Michael Steele said he has concerns about the state of today’s Republican Party.

Steele, who is the former RNC chairman and lieutenant governor of Maryland, has long been known He is known for his candid and unapologetic perspectives. Steele joins Mark Becker, host of “Rational Revolution,” to call for a resurgence of values-based leadership and grassroots activism in an effort to reclaim the party from extreme factions like MAGA.

Don’t wait for your congressman to invite you to a town hall. You don’t need their permission to gather. The power lies in the hands of the people, and it’s time to reclaim it.

“We need a resurgence within the party if we want it to survive,” Steele explains. “The GOP’s shift toward big government conservatism and its embrace of authoritarian figures like Donald Trump has undermined its core values.” 

Steele also points out that the Republican Party has become aligned with interests that stand in opposition to American democratic principles instead of defending individual liberties and freedoms. And his frustrations are deep, particularly with the current leadership in Congress. 

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Listen to the entire discussion here:

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“They won’t raise their voices, they won’t use the authority we gave them,” Steele says. “The refusal of many GOP members to challenge a growing rogue executive branch, particularly under the influence of figures like Elon Musk, is contributing to the party’s drift from the values I once championed.”

Steele does remain hopeful for a GOP revival. He sees an opportunity for reform, which he believes must come from the ground up. And he emphasizes the importance of voter engagement in primaries, stressing that many Republicans are dissatisfied with their candidates but often fail to participate in primaries.

“This leaves the nomination process in the hands of a small, unrepresentative portion of the electorate,” Steele says. “We have to take control because the founders gave us the power.”

Steele addresses the growing disillusionment among Republicans and conservatives who feel their values no longer align with the direction of the party. He wants former Republicans to re-engage and level up the political conversation. 

“It’s easy to leave and throw stones at the party. But real change means staying and fighting from within,” he explains.

The idea of a third party is also raised during the discussion. Steele hints at the possibility of a movement aimed at creating a more grassroots-driven Republican alternative. 

“There’s a small cavalry we’re trying to grow,” Steele reveals. “We will take the fight to MAGA and the infection it represents inside the party. I believe in the potential for this effort. A number of concerned Republicans, independents, and former Republicans are coming together to press for change.”

Steele also urges voters to stop waiting for elected representatives to act on their behalf and take matters into their own hands. 

“Don’t wait for your congressman to invite you to a town hall,” he says. “You don’t need their permission to gather. The power lies in the hands of the people, and it’s time to reclaim it.”