http://www.buzzflash.com/analysis/05/07/ana05026.html(Rove went to a party to raise money for Md.Lt.Gov. Steele)
-snip-
BuzzFlash happened to be out in Maryland during the 2002 election and remembered reading an odd story: the GOP was paying Steele -- yes, as in a salary -- to run! No, we are not making this up.
In fact, here is some of the August 27, 2002, Baltimore Sun article that broke the scandal:
The Maryland Republican Party is paying Michael S. Steele $5,000 a month in consulting fees under an arrangement that began shortly after his selection as gubernatorial candidate Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s running mate.
Although the payments appear legal, Democrats said the GOP's contract with Steele raises ethical questions and suggests the party might be subsidizing the living expenses of a candidate for statewide office.
"It looks to me like they've hired themselves a candidate," said David Paulson, a spokesman for the state Democratic Party.
-snip-
--------------------------------
Steele is an out gay who, for years, has worked for the Gov. of Md. who hates gays