GOP backs Greer

Buzz is at the Iowa straw poll today (where Ron Paul and Mitt have huge shows of support and where Pinellas' Bobby Schindler is campaigning for Sam Brownback), but talked to Jim Greer about today's RPOF quarterly meeting in Orlando. By a 28-4 vote, Greer said, he party regulars agreed he should:

1) Push to send a full slate of 114 delegates to the convention in Minneapolis. 2) pick the 57 delegates himself if the state GOP is penalized for its early primary and 3)that those delegates would be at large - representing the statewide Florida vote, rather than results by congressional district.

"I dont believe any national political party is going to penalize a state like Florida and stifle the voters of a state like Florida,'' the chairman said.

UPDATE: The Rudy Giuliani campaign, the likely chief beneficiary of a winner-take-all delegate scenario, is first with a statement: “Rudy Giuliani is the Republican candidate who will win Florida’s primary and general elections.  We applaud the actions that Chairman Greer and the Republican Party of Florida have taken to strengthen Florida's position in the nominating process and look forward to competing throughout the state,” said Giuliani Senior Advisor Tony Carbonetti.

Comments

[former skeptic]

Wow. Good for Greer. In just eight months he has turned the party around. We are no longer the whipping boy/girl for the national party. As someone who didn't vote for Jim the first time, I am proud to say I was wrong: he's a real leader at a time when our party needs one.

[Susan S]

Democracy Republican style:
-Your party votes to break the rules.
-You refuse to be punished for breaking those rules.
-Choose your own delegates instead of abiding by the appropriate process for delegate selection.

You Republicans must be proud.

I was at the quartely Meeting. Greer did an awesome job ,I saw a True leader today at the helm of our party.Plus as a bonus the party sent a clear message to CJJ. Greer is in charge and even though CJJ and her small and getting smaller group of cronies tryed to trip Greer up , they failed and he made it clear who's the chairman, The party members were very happy with the changes to the meeting and his Minority outreach dept is a great move. I've watched for years the Girls club running GOP. No More!!!

I think this has to do with the fact he can FIRE anyone at any notice. This guy has brought his New Jersey mob stile tactics to his office. Not to mention he has a voice like a castrated duck.

Yes he has done a great job for Florida. Fighting everyday alongside his buddy Charlie Crist to make our party more in line with the liberals. The GOP players in Florida are getting sick and tired of Greer, Crist and the Governator.

Is Jim Greer really allowed to fire Republican volunteers ?

Greer is Lemieux's puppet. Please do not give him any more or less credit than deserved.

So 32 people are voting???? How lame is that!!!! THere is a possible 3 representatives from each of the 67 counties plus a possible 10 at large votes and there are 32 votes. Sounds to me like a lot of people are just staying home. Kind of like that stupid lottery for the presidency IV where most counties didn't have enough applicants to fill their delagations, not too many lottery's were needed.

5:57 - you don't know what you are talking about. This was an Executive Board meeting(37 total members of which 35 were present) - not a State REC meeting.

Well the peanut gallery is on the blog , I too was a member at the meeting today , Greer did a fine Job . The state Committee members and board are behind Greer , it was clear to see . There is a new Feeling in the air , and we are seeing a lot of changes for the better . Greer is the right person to lead the party in 08 . I'm glad he's our Chairman .

[Jack]

"So 32 people are voting????"

That was just the state executive board voting. It wasn't meant to be a full member vote. I believe there were over 200 people there today.

As far as Greer, I'm still undecided. While he has done many things that have needed to be done for this party, my one concern is this tendency to accrue more and more of the ultimate decision making powers into his hands.

That's a wonderful (and more efficient)thing if you're running a big business but in an organization that is made up mainly of volunteers (county chairman and state committeepeople devoting their free time), it tends to leave the impression our opinions or input are neither needed nor wanted.
Not exactly the best way to keep up motivated in devoting our free time to a cause in the future.

greer is the right man at the right time for all that needs to be changed about RPOF. he has the skill and savvy to work as an equal with other good leaders such as Lemieux. judge him by his accomplishments thus far which are accruing. if you are still begrudging him, go back to darning your sugar daddy's socks.

I'm on the RPOF state committee and attend the meeting both days , Greer made changes to the format which made the meeting much more productive and his leadership at the board meeting was exceptional .

[NFl Gop]

The RPOF turned a corner , After being absent for 8 months after her DEFEAT , Carol Jean showed up , caused trouble and tried to get the board to vote against Greer without success. Greer was brilliant, he called for a roll call vote to show clearly who's on his team . Out come 28 yes , 6 No , Sharon Day showed her true Loyalty , Greer please remember the six No votes . The RPOF is in a great position for victory in 08 and beyond and Greer will take us there .

7:17pm , you must not be on the state committee , because Greer has reached out to us more then ever in finding out how we feel .Plus I'm glad we have a chairman who leads .

Ditto , Chairman Greer is Great , Please resign CJJ , Day and Rivera , even Carol Carter voted with Greer . The party is very happy with Greer including the grassroots . Some of The state committee men and women are just worried he might ask them to really do something to make the party better! Thanks Charlie , Greer is Great .

[Ive been around]

Hey , did everybody hear Greer introduce the RPOF staff and commend the ED Rimes at the meeting , Can't remember in last 4years when that's happened at an RPOF meeting .WoW this must be what Leadership looks like .

On my two hour ride back home from the RPOF meeting I too thought about the meeting , As a state committee member , what I enjoyed the most was our small meeting when Greer left and Mrs Jorden started to complain about Chairmans Greers right to remove any member for not supporting the party, and Greer heard about it and came back to the meeting and spoke , CJJ sat down and never said another word . No more days of behind the back stabing , Greer confronts things head on , After he spoke the room was his .

A lot of fat cat party supporters were at the convention this weekend in Tampa at the Hyatt.

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/11/Hillsborough/Convention_a_place_to.shtml

[Chris]

my two cents:

As a new State Committeeman from Citrus County, I'm not as aware of the recent intrigues involved the RPOF as most of you might be but I did want to also commend Chairman Greer for his decisive leadership since assuming the office.
In my short experience in the role, he has certainly made a point of reaching out to solicit our county's opinions on a host of issues and he deserves to be applauded for that.
I look forward to working with the Chairman and the rest of the Florida county GOP leadership in coming years.

The Rudy folks seem to be counting chickens before they are hatched.

[Truth Squad]

Greer is THE MAN ! He is a fantastic leader and has risen above the petty CJ Jordan who will sabatoge if given the opportunity. An angry, vindictive woman.

HUCKABEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chairman Greer was clearly in command, what was offensive was Rep. Rivera sat quitely through the rules committee when the committee was discussing the proposed changes to arm the Chiarman to fight for Florida, he did not say one word. When the vote was taken the committee was united. At the board meeting Rep. Rivera wanted a public redo of the process that the rules committee conducted, imagine a lawmaker ask the speaker on the floor to take up a matter that was already voted out of committee? The Chairman stood firm and acted with grace and leadership towards those who sought to undermine the party. This GOP will strengthen because we have Jim Greer leading the charge! Go Greer Go!

Who cares about all this?

I can't wait to vote for a real Governor in 2010. Sink over Crist!!!

Let's Sink Crist.

The RPOF is starting to look a lot like a Communist Party structure. Do what I say, when I say or you disappear. Kick a democraticaly elected committee man or woman with no reason if he likes. Decide who is a delegate if he likes. This guy is like Stalin. I'm embarrased to be a Republican.

[UF Alumni]

We're still five months out, its to early to assume Rudy's campaign will be the winner. According to Quinnipiac polls, in 5 months Rudy has gone from a 6 point lead to 23 point lead and back to a 7 point lead in Florida. Theres a lot of game left to play.

How did the fashion show go?

Sink Crist.

I like that phrase!!!

Greer has done some good things.

But you can't get away from the fact that, by law, he now has the power to remove any party official anytime he likes and ban them from participation for 4 years for so much as "potentially harming the party".

And this business of deciding who the delegates are himself? That kind of dictatorial behavior will alienate people in droves.

[Susie Q]

If Mr. Greer wants be get rids of Republicans that disagree with him then it is logical to assume that he agrees with the remarks that Bob Allen has made about blacks, otherwise, Mr. Greer would have removed Bob Allen. Most importantly don't give me the innocent until proven guilty answer. The Republicans Mr. Greer wants to remove are volunteers and they have committed no crimes nor have they been involved in any actions that could be interpreted as crimes and they have made no racists remarks.

Susie Q, you are mixing apples and oranges. Allen is charged with a crime. It is not for Greer to make a decision on that. It is for the Courts.

The new law gives Greer the power to decide who "harms the party" and remove that person, but not from an elected office, but rather from party posts which may or may not be elected offices.

An interesting issue will be whether in fact under the new law, Greer can remove say a State Committeeman who is a party official, but is also an official, elected by the voters of his county.

Who is Greer trying to remove?

[Susie Q]

Allen is a member of the State Committee appointed by Marco Rubio

Well, maybe it is time for him to go. It is inappropriate for someone to remain in office under such a cloud. My same complaint about Gary Siplin, a convicted felon STILL serving in the Florida Senate.

Allen's remarks are harmful to the party, they are racist

And the same power the law gave Greer it also gave Thurman. Maybe BOTH Chairs should do some housecleaning.

As a State Committeewoman, I have had more information from the state party than the last 7 years and they should be commended. Carole Jean continues to try to disrupt the party simply to satisfy her ego. You lost the election and now it's time to unite behind a real Chairman.

Sink Crist!!!

CJJ is not doing all that disruption alone. It is time to get rid of ALL the disruptives.

Can you say Sharon Day?

The volunteers that are not on the executive board are not saying anything, because they are scared of losing their positions. The Executive board has private receptions separate from the volunteers, private dinners separate from the volunteers, private discussions and functions separate from the volunteers. Anyone that stands up contrary to leadership is immediately reminded privately that they serve at the pleasure of the chairman, elected or not. This change was what was needed to further hush the true conservative Republican voice of the State of Florida. The party can now be overrun by Crist Republicans as they travel the world talking about global warming and how we are going to be the next California.
Taxes and insurance be damned.

11:01 AM

SORT OF LIKE HITLER DID IT?

YOU PEOPLE ARE BAD NEWS!

Hey, don't complain it's exactly what the far right Republicans did to moderate Republicans when they were in control!!!

Greer has turned off so many of the party faithful, the ones who will volunteer and work throughout the state. He make look like a big man standing in a room with everyone scared of him, but when it comes down to it they heart and soul of this party is suffering gravely.

Greer is not the culprit. It is Crist who has Presidential dreams. (Nighmares, from our point of view.)

IT IS NOT ABOUT MODERATES VS. RIGHT-WINGERS.

It is about Republicans (of different stripes) vs. ONE ambitious, unprincipled stuffed shirt with no particular agenda except getting himself elected: Charlie Crist.

Posted by 9:26 "And the same power the law gave Greer it also gave Thurman"

That is correct. It is not just a Republican situation, it is just that we seem be the ones who like to air all party business on this blog.

This is the same election law that allows Gov. Crist to run for another office while holding the office of Governor.

All of this came about because three counties can't seem to count ballots accurately.

Let me clarify my above post before someone jumps on me. The entire elections bill may have started out to regulate/resolve machine issues, but while the door was open, a lot of extraneous items were introduced.

Sharon Day probably thinks she is safe even though she sides with CJJ because she also supported Charlie. Like he will care is she stands in his way…

12:24 that's pretty disingenuous. You know poerfectly well the Governor rammed that through "while the door was open".

12:34
I did not say otherwise.

Funny to watch River lose time after time. Hey, I'm glad he keeps doing these things... It provides me with great entertainment watching him get destroyed. He keeps trying to make himself relevant and keeps being shown the door. CJJ - whatever. She is nothing but a used up.hag.

Albertelli, Arranz, Voss and company are still being shafted by Greer and the boys.

Let's face it, Greer and the boys don't think women have any place in the political arena.

1:21 that is completely false. Greer has been incredibly inclusive to EVERYONE and has made the state party relevant. He is demonstrating tremendous leadership.

As for the election bill...it was the brainchild of Rivera.

So how do you fire a volunteers, anyway?

1:41 really, then how come the bill's chief beneficiary is Charlie, who gets to run for Vice President and win, lose or draw he can still return to the Governorship? ... and who gets full control of the Party to boot??

Greer has involved the womens groups more then ever, Voss and Albertelli just cant get over Greer controlled the use of the Republican name and put them in there place. He was clear again at the meeting, he wants all groups working together, But using the name Republican needs Permission of the RPOF board and he will not permit its use without approval. Leadership once again from Greer

2:39 have you actually READ the law Greer thinks gives him that authority?

"Control" and "Dictatorship" are two intimately intertwined concepts. See: RPOF.

Simply a move to align Crist closer to Rudy. I am thinking he is vying for VP.

2:33..ask Rivera.

OF COURSE Charlie is vying for VP. He's practically salivating over it. Trouble is, CC is a stuffed shirt who wants to hold office merely for the sake of holding office. He sure can't govern his way out of a paper bag. At least not as a Republican.

FLORIDA REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP = GESTAPO

Greer's marching orders: deliver the RPOF to whoever puts Charlie on the National ticket. Once you understand that, it all falls into place.

So true. And he needs to hurry up and get out of here. Another year of mortgage defaults, high taxes, and no insurance and Florida will not put him back in.

And if Florida does not go Republican, the grass roots will have had enough of RPOF leadership. Seems everyone has a job on the line.

And if Cirst winds up on a losing ticket, that's the end of him!

First of all, Greer and the RPOF got the remove everybody because I don't like you clause in the election law not the house. It was pushed thru on behalf of Greer and Charlie by Andy Palmer and Randy Enright so don't blame Rivera for that one. Second, do you think one individual without any input from the executive board should have total authority to hand pick Florida's delegates? Next, Greer has no respect for women - just gives them alot of lip service. Do you see any real women with any top positions or leadership roles at the RPOF or how about even chairs of any of the commiteess. Grievance Committee - man, Rules and Constitution Committee - man and I am sure all the rest pretty much men, as well. Let's look at the RPOF. Executive Director - man, Policy Director - man Finance - man, Coalition and Outreach Director - man. Very important special assistant has to travel with him everywhere and step & fectch it boy - man. Oh, but there is the receptionist - woman and his calendar keeper in the office personal assistant - woman. Yea, he has alot of respect for women.

Greer sucks. Send him and Governor Communist back to central Florida.

who were the 4 with backbones?

Now now. Greer did hire a woman to run the Orlando office for him. A looker too.

10:43 it was actually 6 not 4

I remember when the RPOF members used to have some backbone. Under Greer's leadership all you have to do is give the troops some free bread and some entertainment and their happy. This group now isn't tough enough to elect anyone anymore.

I won't ever give the RPOF another penny. Greer is spending it like a drunken sailor mostly to buy votes for himself. In the meetings he kept saying he had to have the vote on the delegates right now rather than give anyone a chance to look at all the alternatives. He said he would not have time to have a special board meeting after the total number of delegates was decided by RNC. Funny, but he and his buddies didn't have any problems calling for a special board meeting to give him a $45,000 a year raise. The board had to have this "special" call in board meeting a week before the quarterly meeting so he could get more money on the sly. He took the job 6 months ago and knew what the salary was, but now he wasn't geting enough money. One of his "good ol boys" said Greer didn't know he was doing this for him - oh, yea, we all believe that.

Sit down dinners for his chosen ones and everyone else can go to hell while they eat a few pieces of cheese and are expected not to question the almightly one.

And how much money was spent for Greer's wife's fashion show? 20 people in the room and a buffet table full of food, soft drinks and deserts. In the rooms where the working meetings were being held there was water at the back of the room. Not bottled like at the fashion show but in regular service containers.

Aren't people there to do real work for the party. This is the only spouse of any of the parties chairpersons that has to be constanly in the limelight at our quarterly meetings. Chairman Slade, Cardenas or Jordan didn't constantly promote their spouses at meetings with our funds. If she isn't singing, she's having tea parties and now fashion shows. Why not do something like productive register a few voters?

Oh, well, Greer just keeping bullying your troops to get what you want, but know it's going to be harder to get from them what you are going to need!

We will all get a chance to show him what we think of his policies when he starts squealing for volunteers...

12:51, I for one along with many other committee members think Mrs Greer is very nice for putting together things for guests, plus when we were asked at the morning meeting almost all said lets keep doing things like this, Mrs Greer should be thanked , but some people like you always need to be negative. Get a life.

So, how many women are in leadership in the Rubio/Rivera camp? Oh yea, Bowen... wait - she wasn't even allowed to call a press conference. Who else, who else... Flores... just a lackey. Nope, that's it.

This is the first chairman who has young kids and a good looking wife who has some class. Thank you Mrs Greer for doing these things. This is good for our party to bring in some young people, keep it up.

Uhh...how about Bogdanoff? Coley? To me, there are more women in leadership roles in the House than you give credit for.

wait, greer got a $45,000 dollar raise? when did this happen?

[Some of you people]

Some of you people make me hate to be a republican , here we have a Chairman working harder then most before him , trying to keep the party unified . Making changes long over do , Plus his wife is helping the party , instead of saying Thank you , you attack, please get out of our Party .Today