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RNC Race Is Win For Florida GOP Boss

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By WILLIAM MARCH

wmarch@tampatrib.com

Published: January 31, 2009

Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele won a tense election Friday to become the first black chairman of the national Republican Party, an outcome that also was a win for Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer and Gov. Charlie Crist.

Steele won on the sixth ballot in a vote in Washington of the 165 members of the Republican National Committee, the party's leading body.

A former TV political commentator, Steele challenged incumbent Chairman Mike Duncan, who was chosen for the job by former President George W. Bush.

Other candidates included South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Katon Dawson, ex-Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell and Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis.

Greer said he backed Steele in hope of moving the party in the same nonideological, pragmatic direction he and Crist have for Florida's GOP.

Steele rejects the label "moderate" but has been criticized by conservatives in the party - just as Crist and Greer have had conflicts with conservatives in the Florida party.

Greer said Steele would raise the party's appeal to minorities as he and Crist have sought to do in Florida.

In a statement on Steele's win, Greer said Republicans should "proudly acknowledge that the Republican Party is the Party of faith and family values" but must also "embrace new ideas and bold leadership and be a Party that understands that diversity is the cornerstone to growth and success."

Steele, he said, will "convey a credible message throughout this nation that the Republican Party is the Party committed to serving the middle class."

Crist did not publicly back a candidate, but Greer would have been unlikely to back any candidate without the consent of Crist, whose influence made Greer state party chairman. Crist also issued a statement Friday congratulating Steele.

At the same meeting Friday, Sharon Day of Fort Lauderdale was elected RNC secretary and Paul Senft of Winter Haven was named one of two Southern representatives on the RNC executive committee.

Greer considered making his own run for national chairman but instead served as a campaign strategist for Steele. Party insiders said Greer will head Steele's transition team and is expected to be rewarded for his support with the chairmanship of an important RNC committee.

Dawson has had to respond to questions about his former membership in a whites-only country club. He said he sought to integrate it.

Steele, for his part, was not an RNC member, which wasn't required by the rules but drew objections from some members.

Race was not an issue, Greer said, but "if the nation can celebrate the election of its first African-American president, then certainly the GOP can celebrate the election of our first African-American party chairman.

Reporter William March can be reached at (813) 259-7761.

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