Yes We Can! Part II Featuring Michael Steele

Those that look at the current political significance of President Obama and fail to understand why people give the former Illinois senator the social and historical clout that he garners need only to look to the minority party in Washington.

Within this election cycle, has seen a historical occurrence that few – if any – thought would ever come about.

And no, I'm not talking about the Black family living in the White House.

I'm referring to the Black man heading the Republican Party.

Yes, the Grand Old Party has a brand, new leader, and they have President Barack Obama to thank for it.

Many will view the election of former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele as merely a symbolic gesture for the Republican Party to match the presence of an Obama Administration. Those that make this an one-to-one electoral match based on BOPE (the Barack Obama Presidential Experience) not only color the Republicans as a lot full of racist trend-followers, but they also promote a view that Obama also won on the strength of skin color alone.

Both are extremely near-sighted. It also downplays the historical significance of Steele's election to the post, even as proponents of this view will continue to call the GOP the party of the old, White, and rich.

Prominent Black Republicans

Condoleeza Rice

United States Secretary of State

Joseph Barrak, AFP/Getty Images

Colin Powell

Former United States Secretary of State (2001-2005)

Ron Edmonds, AP

Clarence Thomas

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

Randy Snyder, AP

Alan Keyes

Political activist.

Kelley McCall, AP

J.C. Watts

Republican politician and entrepreneur.

Steve Jaffe, AFP / Getty Images

Armstrong Williams

Television, radio host, columnist and political pundit.

Graham Williams Group, AP

Alveda King

The author is a niece of the civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr.

Johnny Nunez, WireImage.com

Don King

Boxing promoter.

Frank Franklin II, AP

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Civil rights icon.

T.D. Jakes

Famous American preacher.

Johnny Nunez, WireImage.com

Many have commented on how Obama's campaign success was predicated on the collective desire for change within the country, a loss of confidence in the Republican Party, a failure of the Republican Party to engage a wider section of voters, and the high levels of discipline and efficiency that his campaign maintained. Obama's ability to engage voters on the campaign trial through different types of media (i.e., the internet, television, etc.) afforded him the political clout to buy momentum throughout the election cycle as well as forgiveness when he hit bumps in the road (e.g., the "guns and religion" comment before the Pennsylvania primary.) Further, his ability to articulate both the need to restore confidence in government as well as his political and legislative plans for 's future gave him the upper hand against Senator John McCain. This advantage grew into coattails for the Democrats as Republicans throughout the country suffered losses last November 4.

Thus, the need for Michael Steele.

Those that call Steele's election a token gesture by the GOP undermine a common image of the Republicans as well as fail to understand Steele's appeal in the aftermath of Obama's November victory.

If the GOP were nothing more than a party full of racists looking to promote a token, they certainly would not yield its power (by creating a new "face of the party" or otherwise) to a man that many felt was "not conservative enough" to lead the party. Further, if the party only cared about winning – even to the point of putting a Black face in the mix merely to achieve a short-term goal – why didn't the GOP force McCain's hand in August to select Condi Rice or Colin Powell (or even Michael Steele) to serve as the vice presidential nominee?

Sometimes, the winds of change come solely because of the dawn of a new season, regardless of whether it is welcomed or encouraged.

The Republican Party will be pleasantly surprised by Steele's appeal as he now leads the GOP, just as the Democrats grew fond of a certain long-shot, short-tenured senator as he ran against a former First Lady and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee just 12 months ago.

10 Ways Black People Have Progressed

The new generation of African Americans going in to ownership and entrepreneurial routes are well equipped and more knowledgeable than ever before. Despite many obstacles unparalleled to other races many African American have perceived to receive equality and the right to ownership since the ending of slavery. Now in the 21st century we are able to see how their successes and potential to become business moguls and CEOs of major companies.

History was made At the 74th Academy Awards® in 2002 when Halle Berry became the first African-American woman to win Best Actress. She also gave one of the most memorable acceptance speeches of her life that gave thanks to all those powerful black females that had came before her. This was not a moment in her life to be remembered but a witness that women of color are be. Denzel Washington continuing the path of Greatness when he was awarded Best Actor for Training Day after Sidney Poitier, the first African-American male to win Best Actor 39 years ago, was awarded an honorary award. These two men are examples of how much we have came along in history and in entertainment. And now that they have opened the door for a new generation to enter and blow even more borders for the future.

2. In recent years there has been a glimpse that black education rates are on the rise. School teachers have been becoming the main influence for students to excel in test scores for reading, writing skills, math, and social sciences. Now that teachers are receiving more respect for their hard work, society is noticing that they are the gateway for their children's future.

Digital divide Narrowed

hip-Hop Culture Takes Over

6. Williams Sisters/Michael Jordan

As Barack Obama continues his path to the White House to become the first African American for the President of The United States of America history is being made every step he takes closer. It was monumental when Barack defeated Hillary Clinton as the leader of the Democratic Party for the election but as

Women Empowerment

Condoleeza Rice - Secretary of State Colin Powell being the top military person in America
As the first black female to be in such a hig position in politics, Condeleeza is a women in charge of being president Bush's right hand and has been very influential in the advancement of black women in the U.S. government.

Steele's regular media presence, ability to articulate and defend position points, and affability that transcends delineations within the GOP should give the party an opportunity to consolidate its resources and temper the intra-group fighting along ideological lines. His strong name ID and popularity among young Republican groups should enable the GOP to increase its base with younger voters. His leadership as the head of GOPAC will come in handy as Steele looks to grow the Republican war chest for the 2010 and 2012 elections along with other needed projects such as expansion efforts for outreach and technology.

Michael Steele will not be Barack Obama nor does he need to be. However, if he can leverage his skill set successfully as the new leader of the Republican Party, Obamicans will not be the only ones saying "Yes, We Can" over the course of the next 2-4 years.

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Lenny McAllister is a Republican political commentator and guest co-host for Fox News - Charlotte's morning show "Fox News Rising," where his commentary can be heard every Monday. His website is lennymcallister.com