A questionable choice for GOP

Jim Greer spent the last few months fighting to keep his job as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. But on Tuesday the fight came to an end when Greer's foes, angered by his big-spending ways, successfully forced him aside.

Greer, a longtime friend of Gov. Charlie Crist, resigned saying he would not participate in the splintering of the party, but it was clear he no longer had the confidence of the Republican leadership.
His likely replacement is former House speaker and newly elected state Sen. John Thrasher, who has spent the past few years growing his reputation as one of the most influential lobbyists in Tallahassee.

Thrasher's a tough guy, a smart political tactician who knows how to win elections. He'll probably raise a lot of money.

But he also has plenty of baggage.

As a former lobbyist he has strong ties to special interests, including energy, telecommunications and medical companies.

He proudly used deceptive tactics in a futile campaign to keep the misguided "Hometown Democracy" constitutional amendment off the ballot.

As speaker, he helped damage Florida's higher education system by working to eliminate the state Board of Regents. Voters wisely remedied that blunder by adopting an amendment that restored a board to oversee the university system. But Florida's academic reputation suffered a serious blow.

Thrasher will make an easy target, as will his dual role as a lawmaker and party chief.
We suspect that other than the most ardent political observers, few people will worry about who heads the Republican Party's reelection efforts. Still, the example of former U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, who served as chairman of the Republican National Committee and found the two jobs incompatible, is worrisome.

But Thrasher has said if he is elected by the party's executive committee next month, he will only serve a year, and the Florida Legislature, unlike Congress, meets for only a few months annually.
Greer blamed his ouster on the moderate vs. conservative split in the party, claiming his vision of an inclusive, big tent party has been overtaken by loyalists of Crist's Republican primary challenger, former House Speaker Marco Rubio.

Greer may have devoted much of his time to reaching out to blacks and Hispanics in a notable effort to expand the party's base, but the Republicans have not met expectations in voter registration. And Greer angered many Republicans when he moved to anoint Crist as the party's nominee for U.S. Senate.

Greer needed to go.

His fall could be considered a blow to Crist. The governor's hand-picked choice is out, and his likely replacement is no ally. But Greer's ouster also will end the damaging headlines, and the focus of the party now will be on unifying and electing Republicans.

Thrasher has Crist's support, as well as that of the highest-ranking elected Republicans.

But that doesn't mean he is the best choice.

The party should consider whether voters will take to the idea of Thrasher's double role or if they want as chair a special-interest champion not known for an interest in Joe Six-pack issues.

There is no question that Thrasher is smart, disciplined and can raise money. After the chaos of Greer, he may be what the GOP needs.

But Republicans should think hard about whether Thrasher, the ultimate political insider, is the best front man for the party.