Ep. 13 - Michael Steele
In Episode 13 of The Republican Legacy Podcast, Chris Vance is joined by Merrill Matthews and ORL Michigan Chair Chuck Brown for the Week in Review. They discuss the political landscape in Michigan, the impact of tariffs and the trade war with Canada on the state’s economy, recent polling among swing voters, Republican divisions over Ukraine and foreign policy, and the increasingly competitive midterm environment in Michigan, Texas, and other states. The panel also reacts to Congressman Don Bacon making national news on last week’s podcast by acknowledging that he is considering a run for President in 2028.
Later, Chris and Lynn Schmidt are joined by former Lt. Governor of Maryland and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, a founding member of Our Republican Legacy. Steele discusses what connects the Republicans involved in ORL, his belief in the party’s Lincoln tradition, and what a post-Trump Republican Party could look like. The conversation turns to Don Bacon’s potential 2028 candidacy, what Steele believes the next generation of Republican leaders must do to distinguish themselves, the role of the primary system in shaping the party, and the political courage it will take to compete for the future of the GOP.
Chapters
00:00 – Week in Review with Merrill Matthews & Chuck Brown
01:29 – Meet ORL Michigan Chair Chuck Brown
03:38 – Michigan Politics & Former Congressman Dave Trott
04:57 – Don Bacon’s 2028 Comments Make News
05:45 – Tariffs, Canada & Michigan’s Economy
06:56 – Swing Voters, Inflation & the Economy
08:57 – Ukraine, Russia & Peace Through Strength
10:05 – Michigan’s Senate & Congressional Races
12:07 – Texas Politics & the Midterm Landscape
14:57 – Former RNC Chairman Michael Steele Joins the Podcast
15:39 – What Connects the Republicans of ORL?
19:25 – The Fight for the GOP in 2028
20:20 – Michael Steele Reacts to Don Bacon’s 2028 Interest
23:50 – What Should a 2028 Republican Candidate Do Now?
27:08 – The Coming Fight for the Republican Party
28:33 – Can Republicans Stand Up to MAGA in a Primary?
32:08 – Lessons from Missouri’s Republican Primaries
34:24 – Michael Steele on MS Now
36:33 – Closing Thoughts & the Growth of ORL
Links
