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To his credit, Lt. Governor Steele would be more than an "extra" on the national stage. A forceful speaker who knows why he is a Republican, Steele would be a welcome addition to the pro-life bloc in a Republican Senate with a significant "social progressive" wing.

Steele's candidacy would draw as much attention from GOP donors as Hillary's opponent "to be named later", which would put added pressure on the Democrats' campaign coffers, which is assured as the opposition party is as obsessed with defeating minority Republican candidates as the GOP is driven to elect them.

One of the constant patterns of conduct by the Democrats during confirmation hearings is that they go into overdrive at beating down minority nominees. In the special interest quilt that is the Democratic Party, the "minority patch" is its most important due to the tendency of non-whites to vote Democrat by large margins.

Whenever a self-assured minority is tapped by a Republican for an important post, there is screaming at the DNC...even more so under the Howard Dean chairmanship. The rough treatment afforded by Democrats towards minority GOP nominees for both elective and appointive positions is intended to send a message, though many of these non-stereotypical Republicans have been toughened up already by earlier, more personal confrontations over his or her unorthodox party choice.

Going into 2007 when the new Senate class takes office, Bill Frist, who is also stepping down, will not be the Majority Leader in the US Senate. With three Democrat retirements (add Minnesota) in "not as secure as they should be" states, it's a safe bet Harry Reid won't be Majority Leader either.

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Mike Bayham is a political consultant in south Louisiana.

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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA.

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