AP (hat-tip to WLOX) is reporting that the GOP governor's group has elected South Carolina governor Mark Sanford as chair and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour as vice-chair of the Republican Governors Association.

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour was selected vice chairman; Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue will head up recruitment efforts; and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist will be in charge of the group's annual gala.

Initial reaction to these appointments -- not a great first step for the a GOP to figure out how to keep itself from slipping into a regional opposition party.