Kenneth Blackwell -- who gained infamy as Ohio Secretary of State in 2004, when the state threw the presidential race to George W. Bush -- has officially jumped into the race for Republican National Committee chair, according to a letter he's circulating among committee members.

"After prayerful consideration, I have decided to become a candidate for Chairman of the Republican National Committee," Blackwell writes in the letter, which was forwarded to us by a Republican operative. "I write today to ask for your vote and endorsement."

Blackwell's entry means there are now two African-American candidates for the chairmanship of the GOP, the other being former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, who lost a high-profile Senate race against Dem Ben Cardin in 2006 by 10 points.

The entry of two African American candidates into the race comes at a time when the GOP is struggling with minority outreach and is under pressure to prove that it's not devolving into a rump party held hostage by far-right or intolerant elements. Blackwell suggested that he'd be a good public face for the GOP at this time, saying that the party needs "a completely new direction."

Indeed, Blackwell could be better positioned than Steele to make that case while simultaneously appealing to the Republican base. During his career, Blackwell has been closely linked to the religious right. While Steele is definitely a hardcore conservative, he's never worn his faith on his sleeve as aggressively as Blackwell has.

Still, Blackwell's association with groups like the Family Research Council could arouse opposition among some more pragmatic Republicans who think the party needs to broaden its outreach beyond its traditional base.

In one amusing touch, Blackwell showcases the disdain he's won among liberals -- during the 2004 campaign and elsewhere -- to appeal for support for his candidacy.

"I've survived interviews with Keith Olbermann, testified before Congress, prevented voter fraud from overturning the results of a U.S. presidential election and fought the left in federal court more times than you can imagine," Blackwell writes in the letter. "I have been tried and tested, though I'll admit that I've never been called `mavericky' by Tina Faye."

Late Update: We'd missed this before, but apparently Blackwell's depth of experience taking on the liberal media didn't enable him to avoid misspelling Tina Fey's name.