By: Jonathan Martin

The former Maryland lieutenant governor and GOP chair launched his RNC campaign last night on Fox’s "Hannity & Colmes."

Steele, a contributor to the cable network, picked up the support of Sean Hannity in the process.

Asked by the conservative talker which side of the Brooksian divide he fell on, Steele made plain he was a traditionalist, noting his opposition to abortion.

"I stand in the traditions of this party," Steele said.  "I stand for the values that we have fought for, the value of the family, the value of life, born and unborn, the value of community, the value of opportunity, the value of growth."

The GOP, Steele added, represents "the conservative voice in America."

Steele, it seems, would represent the ideal vision of some in the party: he won’t water down the conservative brand, but as an African-American would help the GOP move from its image as a party of white guys (the composition, not incidentally, of most of his presumed rivals).

That said, some may see the move — installing a black chairman after the country elects the nation’s first black president — as an exercise in cynical me-too’ism.  It’s not Steele’s fault, but he may be seen as a figurehead when he’s tapped to lead a party that otherwise includes a grand total of zero other black governors, senators and congressmen.   

Of course, with Steele’s leadership perhaps that would change after future elections

My colleague Alex Burns has more on the RNC race here.

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