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Crist seeking bigger role in GOP

By By STEVE BOUSQUET, Tallahassee Bureau Chief
In print: Friday, May 16, 2008

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TALLAHASSEE — With national Republicans fretting the possibility of a disastrous election year, Gov. Charlie Crist is inviting political insiders to two sessions next month to discuss the political climate in Florida and the nation.

Crist's stated goal, as outlined in an invitation, is to help the Republican Governors Association capture more statehouses in 2008 and 2010. But he also is seeking a bigger role in the group heading into 2010.

That's when a new census will require redrawing of all legislative and congressional districts in the U.S., and more power is expected to shift from the Northeast to the South and Southwest.

"As governor of Florida, I know the importance that strong, solid leadership can make in shaping a state," Crist wrote. "As we look ahead, the importance of regaining governorships becomes even clearer."

Republicans control governorships of 22 states, down from 30 in 2000.

Crist and Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi, a former national Republican Party chairman, will hold two invitation-only sessions in Tampa and Fort Lauderdale at which Crist's former chief of staff, George LeMieux, will play a key role.

The two sessions will be held at the Intercontinental Tampa hotel and a Fort Lauderdale business office on June 3.

LeMieux said the timing of Crist's invitation is unrelated to national political events.

"I think a lot of that is a Washington problem," he said.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report. Steve Bousquet can be reached at bousquet@sptimes.com or (850) 224-7263.