GOP governors to use meeting to regroup

MIAMI, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- The future and the immediate past of the U.S. Republican party tops the agenda at the Republican Governors Association annual meeting in Miami this week.

The conference, which begins Wednesday, is expected to showcase up-and-coming governors positioning themselves as party leaders or future presidential candidates, The New York Times reported Tuesday. The list includes GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin of Alaska, Charlie Crist of Florida, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, Haley Barbour of Mississippi and Mark Sanford of South Carolina.

Attendees said they expect to review what led to the party's thumping in the Nov. 4 election and how to position itself to take on President-elect Barack Obama. In addition, Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan likely will face a challenge to remain in his post after his term expires in January, the Times said. Duncan has indicated he would like to remain for a second term.

Party leaders said they must focus on issues important to voters, not the party base, the Times reported.

"We can't be obsessed with issues that are not the issues that are important to American voters," said Jim Greer, Florida Republican chairman and a likely candidate for the RNC post.