By Billy House
Media General News Service
Media General News Service
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WASHINGTON -- Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer says he is considering joining a half-dozen already-declared candidates for the Republican National Committee's top post.
The national party, seeking to rebuild after its poor showing in November and in the 2006 congressional elections, is set to elect a chairman Jan. 30 in Washington.
As of now, Greer says he is not a candidate.
"I'm going to take a look at it," said Greer Wednesday, however, confirming the interest in the top RNC job that he floated in an e-mail Tuesday to fellow national party committee members.
Greer's interest comes as he and some other RNC members prepare to gather next week in Washington to hear from six candidates who have already declared they are running. One of their debates is set to be broadcast Monday on C-Span.
In his e-mail, Greer thanked RNC members he says have encouraged his potential candidacy. He also explained he is weighing a number of factors, including his focus "on fostering an open discussion of the future of the Republican Party."
In an interview Wednesday, Greer said the already-declared candidates have asked to meet with him in Washington next week to solicit his support, and that he intends to hear them out.
Before he determines whether to seek the job himself, Greer also said he will be focused on keeping his state chairmanship, in a contest to be decided Jan. 10 in Orlando. Greer has opposition, but appears headed to victory with the backing of Gov. Charlie Crist.
If he does win, Greer expects to decide on running for the national chairmanship a few days later, he said.
His late entry would come as others have already launched Web sites to promote themselves and taken other steps to woo support from party committee members.
Others eying the chairmanship include Michigan GOP chair Saul Anuzis; former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell; South Carolina GOP chief Katon Dawson; the current RNC chairman Mike Duncan; former Maryland Lieutenant Gov. Michael Steele (the current GOPAC chairman); and former Tennessee GOP Chairman Chip Saltsman.
Reporter Billy House can be reached at 1 (202) 662-7673.
The national party, seeking to rebuild after its poor showing in November and in the 2006 congressional elections, is set to elect a chairman Jan. 30 in Washington.
As of now, Greer says he is not a candidate.
"I'm going to take a look at it," said Greer Wednesday, however, confirming the interest in the top RNC job that he floated in an e-mail Tuesday to fellow national party committee members.
Greer's interest comes as he and some other RNC members prepare to gather next week in Washington to hear from six candidates who have already declared they are running. One of their debates is set to be broadcast Monday on C-Span.
In his e-mail, Greer thanked RNC members he says have encouraged his potential candidacy. He also explained he is weighing a number of factors, including his focus "on fostering an open discussion of the future of the Republican Party."
In an interview Wednesday, Greer said the already-declared candidates have asked to meet with him in Washington next week to solicit his support, and that he intends to hear them out.
Before he determines whether to seek the job himself, Greer also said he will be focused on keeping his state chairmanship, in a contest to be decided Jan. 10 in Orlando. Greer has opposition, but appears headed to victory with the backing of Gov. Charlie Crist.
If he does win, Greer expects to decide on running for the national chairmanship a few days later, he said.
His late entry would come as others have already launched Web sites to promote themselves and taken other steps to woo support from party committee members.
Others eying the chairmanship include Michigan GOP chair Saul Anuzis; former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell; South Carolina GOP chief Katon Dawson; the current RNC chairman Mike Duncan; former Maryland Lieutenant Gov. Michael Steele (the current GOPAC chairman); and former Tennessee GOP Chairman Chip Saltsman.
Reporter Billy House can be reached at 1 (202) 662-7673.