Greer Speaks For Steele As Voting Begins

By William March, Tampa Tribune

With voting for a new national Republican Party chairman about to begin, Florida GOP chairman Jim Greer has just spoken to the Republican National Committee, asking them to back former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele.

“This vote will be the greatest contribution you ever make to the Republican Party,” said Greer to the RNC members gathered in Washington.

Greer considered running for the post himself but ended up as a top campaign strategist for Steele, the former lieutenant governor of Maryland, who would be the party’s first black chairman.

Steele is still an underdog in the race, but the most recent MSNBC poll of the 168 voting RNC members shows him in second place with 30 committed votes to 44 for incumbent Chairman Mike Duncan. The winner will be the first to reach 85 votes in a succession of votes with five candidates.

Second place could be a favorable position. If Duncan, chosen for the post by former President Bush, fails to win on the first ballot, then Steele could be viewed as the top candidate representing change.