With the country’s unemployment rate hitting a record 10.2%, Roland says that President Obama needs to put down healthcare and pick up the economy. Watch his perspective and tell us if you agree.

It’s no secret that Republicans have had a hard time courting African Americans to their party and no one agrees more than Michael Steele, current Republican National Committee Chairman. See what he told Roland then tell us: What would it take for the Republicans to get YOUR vote?

It still seems surreal! One year ago today, the rest of the world watched as America elected the first African American president. From the recession to healthcare, the car industry to political appointments — its been one tough year. We’re taking you back down memory lane with our video coverage of the historic events but we want to hear from you!

What has changed since we’ve elected President Obama? What does his one year in office mean to you?

Republican National Comittee Chairman Michael Steele will be sitting down this weekend with Roland Martin to dicuss his party’s big wins in some key local races. Steele, who was named the first African American RNC head during the same year that President Barack Obama was elected, has been very critical of the administration and has said that Pres. Obama is “bankrupting the country.”

Here’s your chance to get your questions directly to him. If you want Michael Steele to hear you submit your comment below and be sure to add your city/state to ensure we see your comment.

Need to know more about Steele? Here’s video of him speaking earlier this year where he addressed fellow Republicans on how to take on the president.

Last night, Republicans saw new life in their party as they found wins with new governors in Virginai and New Jersey.

Bob McDonnell beat out Democrat Creigh Deeds to become Virginia’s first Republican governor in 12 years. The state is also likely to elect a republican to Lietenant governor and attorney general.

In New Jersey, typically a democrat-leaning state, Republican Chris Christie won over the incumbent democratic governor Jon Corzine.

In New York, however, Democrat Bill Owens won that state’s congressional seat — a first since before the civil war.

Despite an historical trend of presidential party losing local elections a year after elected,, RNC chairman Michael Steele called the Republican sees the wins as being a referendum on the Obama administration.

According to an article on NJ.com, Steele had this to say in regards to the election results:

“This race tonight, his election tonight, sends a very strong message throughout the country that change we thought we were getting, we’re going to show you the kind of change we want.”

TELL US: Do you think the Republican wins are a sign that people are unhappy with the Obama administration?

Image courtesy of Associated Press