The Republican Civil War in Florida has had more than one face, the most known of them being the bare-knuckled fight between Governor Charlie Crist and insurgent Marco Rubio, former speaker of the state house. Over the past year Charlie Crist has lost a great many friends and supporters but none were as much an ally to him as Jim Greer, the chairman of the Republican Party in Florida. While national political news will be focused on the announcement of Senator Dorgan's retirement(which sucks), the retirement of Jim Greer is also of great significance.
The retirement is effective on the 20th of February; just over a year after the fateful meeting of President Barack Obama and Governor Charlie Crist in Fort Myers to push for the stimulus bill.
State Senator John Thrasher is expected to replace Jim Greer to lead the party throughout the 2010 mid-term election. Thrasher, a former speaker of the state house, is well suited to lead the Republican Party of Florida; after all, he's a former lobbyist.
If Greer's replacement ends up being Thrasher, it will truly send a signal that former Florida Governor Jeb Bush is not done with politics. Thrasher is close to Bush, who was Marco Rubio's mentor. Indeed, the Republican civil war in Florida is as much about Charlie Crist and Jeb Bush as it is about Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio. Charlie Crist is much closer to the center than Jeb Bush, and indeed he could be facing a Scozzafava situation.
Charlie Crist has not lost the Republican primary. However, it's likely to be a low-turnout primary. It's also a closed primary, meaning Crist can only count on registered Republicans. His teflon has worn off and he's under constant attack. Counter-attacks on Rubio have not stopped the insurgent's momentum as he continues to hold most of the energy in the primary on his side.
Granted, a lot can change seven months out from now. But it doesn't look good at all for Governor Crist. It's a damn shame that Democrats haven't fielded a stronger candidate than Meeks to take advantage of the situation.