Greer, Crist Try To Bring Moderate Tone To National Party

By WILLIAM MARCH | The Tampa Tribune


Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer and Gov. Charlie Crist have tried to bring a more moderate tone to the Florida Republican Party, and they've encountered some criticism from conservatives along the way.

Now Greer, presumably with backing from Crist, is working for a candidate for national party chairman some believe would do the same at the national level.

In an election for Republican National Committee chairman to be held in Washington on Friday, Greer is behind former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele.

Steele, who would be the party's first black chairman, has been criticized by some conservatives in the party for not being conservative enough – just as Crist and Greer have in Florida.

Crist isn't favoring any candidate publicly, but Greer wouldn't make a major political move of this kind if it weren't acceptable to Crist, whose support made Greer state party chairman.

Steele says he's an anti-abortion, pro-gun rights conservative and has rejected the label "moderate."

But he has also been criticized by conservative Republicans for joining the Republican Leadership Council, an organization started by former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman.

Whitman, an environmentalist, is widely perceived in the party as a moderate. Steele says he joined because Whitman helped him politically and quit when he realized the organization was unfriendly to social conservatives.

In Florida, Crist and Greer have made outreach to minorities and civil rights issues a major part of their political philosophy and pushed the party farther on environmental issues than some conservatives want to go.

Steele differs with Crist and Greer on some hot-button conservative issues – for example, he opposes embryonic stem cell research and doesn't put much emphasis on the environment and climate change.

But Greer said Steele "embraces the issues of family and faith but is focused on issues important to all Americans – education and employment opportunities."

He said Steele exemplifies his and Crist's governing philosophy of focusing on results and accomplishment rather than ideology, and trying to make the GOP more diverse.

"He gets it," Greer said. "He's not looking through rose-colored glasses. He looks at building our party the same way I do - every person who has a stake in the issue gets to have a seat at the table."

Since Crist replaced Jeb Bush, a hero to the conservative side of the Republican Party, there have been some indications of a division between the party's conservatives and moderates in Florida.

Conservatives, including state Attorney General Bill McCollum, have criticized Crist policy issues, including the governor's push for quicker restoration of voting rights for felons who complete their sentences.

This week, Crist faces tension and possible conflicts with the state Legislature because he vetoed budget-balancing cuts they just enacted in education, environmental land purchase programs and other areas.

Conservative criticism has been muted so far, largely because Crist's popularity ratings remain high.

Steele is considered an underdog in tomorrow's vote – the leader appears to be incumbent Chairman Mike Duncan.

But Greer said it's virtually impossible to pick a frontrunner in the race because of the way the election is conducted.

The winner will be the first candidate to get an 85-vote majority in a series of votes by RNC members. It appears unlikely any candidate will win on the first ballot, and between ballots, there will be horse-trading and candidates dropping out and endorsing each other.

"The person who comes out strong on the first ballot is not necessarily the leader on the second and third ballot," as RNC members make deals to switch to their second or third choices, he said.

Greer is "whip" for the Steele campaign, a job that includes keeping track of Steele supporters and implementing strategy during the voting.

MSNBC reported this week that it surveyed all but 10 of the RNC members and found 44 committed to incumbent Duncan on the first round and Steel next with 20. But most wouldn't name their second choice.