Gov. Charlie Crist represents the future of the Republican Party. But Crist’s chances of ever succeeding as a national candidate are threatened by the venal corruption of Florida Republican Party (RPOF) Chairman Jim Greer, whom Crist endorsed for re-election on Saturday night.
In Florida, a state which swung blue this election cycle and has been hit particularly hard by the economic downturn, Crist has maintained an approval rating of 68 percent, largely by appealing to those in the middle of the political spectrum.
If the party of Lincoln hopes to remain competitive in a nation rapidly becoming more diverse, it must recruit and promote public officials like Crist, a moderate, fiscal conservative who understands the importance of responding to the wants and needs of his state’s constituents, even when these directly conflict with his party’s antiquated stances on climate change and voting rights.
For Crist to realize his full political potential, as well as avoid public controversy, he must cut loose Chairman Greer, whose reckless spending of state party money on personal luxuries has infuriated donors and party activists alike.
Joe Aloisio, a Republican activist from New Port Richey, wrote a letter to party members last week calling for an audit of party finances. He states:
The Republican Party of Florida had one of the most successful fundraising years in history raising $23 million in 2008. Sadly, I think much of this money has been wasted on inappropriate items like Five-Star resort hotels, tickets to Sporting Events, trips to Disney World, Five-Star restaurants, luxury men’s clothing, high-fashion men’s shoes, private limousines and expensive charter aircraft.
Greer has thus far resisted an audit of state party spending, and a donor lawsuit to force an audit is in the works.
Reports contain at least $1.6 million in un-itemized American Express bills, $646,000 in charges for use of a private jet, and almost $22,000 on limousines, as well as numerous charges at expensive men’s clothing stores and shoe stores, five-star restaurants, and luxury resorts. An additional $1.1 million was spent on the work of expensive consultants.
Aloisio, 44, is concerned that Greer’s wasteful spending prevented the RPOF from doing everything possible to put Florida in Sen. John McCain’s column: “Misappropriated money from the RPOF would have easily financed Spanish language and African American media – both of which were utilized effectively in the 2004 Bush Florida effort – and picked up the 3% we needed to win for John McCain.”
The New York Times reported on Oct. 30 that Greer is campaigning to become the head of the Republican National Committee. But, as Aloisio points out, Greer could not win Florida for McCain, where the GOP also lost two Congressional seats. Why would the national party reward such failure? And if Republicans can’t trust Greer with state party funds, should they really trust him with a much larger chunk of change?
If Greer is re-elected, the RPOF’s money will dry up, as donors will be aware of Greer’s personal spending habits with other people’s money.
Following the Miami Herald’s publication of Greer’s financial indiscretions, Crist chose to endorse his bid for re-election as RPOF chairman. Perhaps Crist’s popularity has led him to believe he is untouchable. But who would turn over the national party to Crist, when his hand-picked state chairman has misappropriated funds without penalty?
Crist has benefitted from radiating an image of Mr. Clean, and having a close association with a guy who leads an extravagant lifestyle on the dime of unwitting donors would make Crist look like just another Republican. It is time for “the People’s Governor” to drop the axe on Jim Greer.
Photo credit: floridagop
12 Comments until now.
This is a pathetic attempt by inept individuals to take over the party and destroy it. These false allegations about Greer is making me want to support him more!
This is disgusting!! I guess you don’t have to worry about the truth any more. Just post anything you like to get what you want. Jim Greer has done more to help our party in the state of Florida than anyone has in that position in the past.
It great to see that the RPOF staff has time to send in comments to defend their swarmy leader Mr. Greer. Here are the facts- the “other disbursements” reported to the Florida Secretary of State, once you subtract the direct contributions to candidates which are included to obfuscate- DO NOT TOTAL THE AMERICAN EXPRESS CHARGES OF $1.6 Million in expenditures reported in the four quarters of 2008- in other words not ALL CHARGES have been reported.
Greer treats the RPOF as his personal piggy bank and has squandered much of the money Governor Crist has worked so hard to raise.
Party officials are well aware of Greer’s use of private jets, limosines,5-star Hotels and Resorts and lots of ROOM SERVICE. Look at the man- does he look like he has missed any meals to you.
Really- How does losing Florida for our Presidential candidate and losing two seats of Congress constitute doing a good job?
Greer has the worst track record in RPOF history- no Chairman has lost Florida in a Presidential race since 1964!
Enough arms may be twisted to get Greer elected Chairman again- in which case RPOF’s money will dry up as donors get a look at Greer’s wild spending at the end of each quarter.
Crist can answer questioins about Greer when he ventures out of state as the other 49 GOP State Chairmen see him as the buffoon he is. Crist needs to dump this jerk now if he wants a national career.
Sadly, the numbers RPOF has reported to the State do not add up and it is clear that not all expenditures have been reported.
What is Chairman Greer hiding?
Double talk about the party having a ” corporate level audit” are nonsense. Such an audit will only tell you the party fund were spent- If the RPOF spent $646,000 for private aircraft we need to know WHO flew WHERE and for WHAT ?
If the Party spent thousands of dollars at the Brazilian Court- the most expensive hotel in Palm Beach- we need to know WHO stayed there and for what PURPOSE.
The tickets purchased at Ticket Master- again WHO went to WHAT event and WHY?
$959.00 spent at the Sport’s Authority ? The RPOF says they were for Office Supplies ! Is the Sports’s Authority competing with Staples and Office Depot now?
Greer is a crook and his spending of RPOF funds on himself is reportable income- before this is over Obama’s new US Attorney will indict him for tax evasion.
Let’s see if Florida GOP flack Erin Van Sickle has the guts to answer the questions I have raised
Why is everyone who works for Jim Greer at the Florida Republican Party fat ?
What are these fatties hiding ?
Charlie, keep these idiots at your own peril !
Brian Ballard is right- dump Greer now !
You can always tell when Jim Greer is posting under assumed names.
Stupid Bastard cant spell !
Nice try Jim- if the SREC doesnt get you the FEDS will.
Al Cardenas and Tom Slade did not use Republican Pary of Florida funds to augment their own lifestyle- they flew commercial when they traveled on party business- they stayed in budget hotels and they didnt charge luxury clothing and tickets to major sporting events to the party. They rented budget rent-a-cars, not limos.
Jim Greer thinks he is the Lt. Governor which is understandable since the Lt. Governor we do have is a retard. If Crist wanted a LG who would never up-stage him he got it- our LG is even dumber than Greer !
I for one will give no more to the RPOF. I want to help elect Republicans , not help Jim Greer live like a potentate.
Charlie needs to cut this cancer out now- before it kills him.
The facts are simple. If Greer has nothing to hide, then just submit to the audit. Me thinks that Jimmy has something to hide since he will not let an outside source come in and audit the RPOF expenditures. I know that I personally gave what I could afford as a “minor” not “major” donor this year. I thought my money was being put towards helping McCain win Florida- however, for the first time in years FL went BLUE. UNDER GREER’s WATCH. This man is going to hurt Charlie and it’s time for him to go!! NOW!
Greer spent $1200 on tickets to Grand Ole Opry in Nashville paid for by RPOF ! I know Republican red-neck types like Greer are supposed to like Country music but how is this helping elect Republicans in FLORIDA ??????/
Greer squanders party money on high living and his entourage.
Why does the GOP Chairman have body-guards …paid for by the RPOF ?
Why does Greer only travel on private jets and limos and flip the bills to the State GOP ?
A FORESIC audit will tell WHO spent our money and ON WHAT ?
The kind of AUDIT Greer claims he has only tells us the money was SPENT by Greer and his pirates.
Crist supports Grear because he knows that the Gov. is the real reason we could not deliver Florida to McCain. Crist is not just a RINO he is a democrat. Crist let felons vote and extended early voting hours and that killed the republicans here in Florida. Great job FDR Charlie.
Guetzloe and crew have but a small amount of time left to spin this feeble effort. It will get a little more “air time” when the RPOF remove these hacks and restore the agenda for 2010. Just take a look at their feeble attempt of a web page. http://republicanpartypurge.com/
Can you see the outrage across Florida!!!!! 0 comments on all blog entries. This is about a few blustery people holding on as the party leaves their wing nut ideals with them..Thank god!! go already….
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