Blog The Vote-Michael Steele Wants to Help the GOP

Maryland's outgoing Republican lieutenant governor Michael Steele has been working the phones as he tries to map out his future.

Steele has been speaking with party members who have been considering a run for the White House in 2008.

Steele tells The Washington Times that he wants to serve as a consultant in the upcoming presidential election cycle. He says he's spoken with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Arizona Senator John McCain and other potential G-O-P candidates.

Steele says he wants to help Republican leaders make the party relevant for the black community. Steele says relations between blacks and the G-O-P have been strained for 40 years.

Steele lost Maryland's open Senate race to Congressman Ben Cardin, but he tells The Times he might be interested in running for governor in 2010.