Last updated on: 3/17/2011 | Author: ProCon.org

Michael Steele, JD Biography

Title:
Former Chairman of the Republican National Committee
Position:
Con to the question "Should Gay Marriage Be Legal?"
Reasoning:

“Our party platform articulates our opposition to gay marriage and civil unions, positions shared by many Americans. I believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman and strongly disagree with Maine’s decision to legalize gay marriage.”

RNC email, mydd.com, May 6, 2009
Theoretical Expertise Ranking:
Experts
Individuals with PhDs, JDs, or equivalent advanced degrees in fields relevant to gay marriage. Also top-level government officials (such as foreign leaders, US presidents, Founding Fathers, Supreme Court Justices, members of legislative bodies, cabinet members, military leaders, etc.) with positions relevant to gay marriage.
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • Chairman, Republican National Committee, Jan. 30, 2009-Jan. 14, 2011
  • Chairman, GOPAC, 2007-2009
  • Partner, Dewey & LeBoeuf, 2007-2009
  • Rodel Fellow in Public Leadership, Aspen Institute, 2005
  • Recipient, Bethune-DuBois Institute Award, 2005
  • Speaker, Republican National Convention, 2004
  • Maryland Lieutenant Governor, 2003-2007
  • Recipient, Vikki Buckley Political Leadership Award, Black America’s Political Action Committee, 2002
  • Chair, Maryland Republican Party, 2000-2002
  • Recipient, Maryland State Republican Man of the Year, 1995
  • Chair, Prince George’s Countys Republican Central Committee, 1994-2000
  • Attorney, Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen and Hamilton Law Offices, 1991-1997
Education:
  • JD, Georgetown University Law Center, 1991
  • Studied at Augustinian Friars Seminary at Villanova University (no degree earned)
  • BA, International Relations, Johns Hopkins University, 1981
Other:
  • Born October 19, 1958, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland
  • Attends services at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Landover Hills, MD
  • Has two children
Quoted in:
Pro & Con Quotes: Should Gay Marriage Be Legal?