WMAL Interview - MICHAEL STEELE - 09.12.17

INTERVIEW - MICHAEL STEELE - former RNC Chairman and former Lt. Governor of Maryland • Washington Post: "Trump teaming up with "Chuck and Nancy" was foretold by Michael Steele in November • Romney Plans 2018 Senate Run. (Daily Caller) - Two-time presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney reportedly plans to run for Senate in 2018 if Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch retires. Romney has yet to publicly commit to a Senate run, but he has reportedly decided to run in the event that Hatch steps down after his seventh term, two sources close to Romney told Utah Policy. Hatch, 83, remains undecided about his future political career, but has said that he will run for his eighth term contingent on the continued good health of himself and his wife. Hatch likely won’t make a final decision on whether to run in 2018 until December, effectively preventing a field of challengers from assembling, according to Utah Policy. While Hatch hasn’t made a final determination on the 2018 race, he indicated in March he would be willing to step aside if an “outstanding person” such as Romney were to run. • Pattern Of Retirements Could Jeopardize GOP House Majority In 2018 (Daily Caller) - GOP Rep. Dave Trott of Michigan announced his retirement Monday, making him the third swing district Republican to back out of the 2018 race in a week, showing a pattern that might imperil the GOP’s House majority in 2018. Trott’s announcement comes days after GOP Reps. Dave Reichert of Washington and Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania announced they would not run for re-election in 2018. The three lawmakers join fellow Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, who announced her retirement earlier this year. The recent retirees managed to secure successive victories in traditionally swing districts, so their departures create a significant opportunity for Democrats to capture the now-vulnerable seats.