Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, whose tumultuous two-year stewardship ended earlier this year, has been hired by MSNBC as a political analyst, NBC announced in a statement this morning.
Steele has been a frequent guest on MSNBC, and will now apear regularly in their discussion panels to offer commentary. Previous reports had indicated Steele was also in talks with CNN and Fox News to land a TV deal.
“It’s an honor to contribute and engage in the dialogue on MSNBC,” Steele said in a statement about his new position. “I look forward to engaging a diverse audience to share insights and analysis about the people, issues, and events shaping America’s future. I’m sure our discussions will be both informative and a bit spirited!”
Steele’s tenure at the helm of the RNC was marked by numerous gaffes — such as saying the GOP should supply it’s values to “urban, hip-hop settings”, saying abortion should be a woman’s choice, and criticizing Rush Limbaugh before running back to praise him when that comment drew heavy fire from his own party — leading some Republicans to question his leadership and call for his resignation. Those calls came to a head late last year when Steele said his party would not likely win control of the House, and that they might not even be ready to govern.
In January, Steele lost his reelection bid to Reince Priebus, bowing out after a third round of balloting made clear that he could not assemble enough votes to retain his position.
