Michael Steel Trades Boehnerland for Bushworld

By David Eldridge

Posted May 11, 2015 at 3:19pm

Michael Steel, one of John A. Boehner’s top aides, is leaving the speaker’s office for a job in Miami as an adviser to a Jeb Bush political action committee.

The speaker, in an emailed statement, called his longtime spokesman a “pro’s pro.” “Ask anyone in the Capitol — Republican, Democrat, or otherwise — about Michael Steel, and they will tell you the same thing: he is a pro’s pro,” the Ohio Republican wrote. “For more than seven years, I have relied on his ability to dissect an issue, win a debate, and deal openly and honestly with the press. He brings nothing but class, decency — and even cheer — to his work no matter how tough the situation. We would not be where we are today without him. All of Boehnerland is sorry to see him go, but we wish Michael the best of luck and we thank him for his service.”

In addition to working for Boehner, Steel also served as traveling press secretary for Rep. Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin, while the lawmaker was the 2012 GOP vice presidential nominee.

Prior to his work in politics, he was a reporter for National Journal, which sometimes provided an interesting relationship with some of his former colleagues.

Politico, which broke the story , reported Steel will work as an adviser to Bush’s Right to Rise Policy Solutions PAC. The former Florida governor is expected to officially announce his candidacy for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination this summer.

Steel was having fun with the news Monday afternoon on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/michael_steel/status/597798241623760897