The former Maryland Governor is regarded as a skilled speaker, but he is faced with re-building his party’s morale following the end of the unpopular Republican Bush-administration.

On being elected, Steele said: “It is important for us to begin to establish with clarity who we are, what we believe as we begin to go out and take I think a brand new message to the American people in community after community.”

As Republican Party Chairman, Steele will have to find a way to counter Democrat Barack Obama, who was sworn in as the country’s 44th president 11 days ago.

Steele’s supporters hope he will bring the Republican message back to black Americans and Hispanic voters who have rejected the party over recent years.

Meanwhile President Obama has quickly taken up the reigns of power and phoned China’s president, calling on their two nations to work together to correct trade imbalances and unclog credit markets.