Republican Governors meet in Miami to plot way back to power

Miami (Florida), Nov.12 : Republican governors have gathered here to strategise a way back to the White House and to securing a majority in the Congress again.

Among the governors attending the three-day moot are Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.

Indian-American Jindal continues to draw crowds of admirers at appearances outside his state. Most GOP officials agree no one in recent memory has performed better than Jindal as the public face of the party during his leadership of the Republican National Committee. But with the loss in the 2008 presidential polls, prominent party members say finding a single go-to "face of the party" may mean turning to someone like former House Speaker Newt Gingrich or former Maryland GOP Chairman Michael S. Steele, the state's first black lieutenant governor. Steele is expected to formally make a play for the spot Thursday, and Mr. Gingrich, who publicly denies interest, reportedly covets the position and his backers are lobbying behind the scenes.

Of the 21 GOP governors left standing, 17 are expected to show up for the Miami annual conference at the Intercontinental Hotel on Chopin Plaza.

ANI