Jim Greer: I will not cease and desist

For every lengthy letter from one Republican to another over Gov. Crist's U.S. Senate run, there's a lengthy response. Here's what Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer has to say to the Hillsborough County Republican Executive Committee's cease-and-desist request:

November 5, 2009

Dear Chairman Cox-Roush,

I have reviewed your recent correspondence and appreciate you taking the time to convey your concerns. After reviewing Rule 8 in consultation with our general counsel, I am providing the following response:

First, the RPOF pays certain allocable and non-allocable expenses at the request of the statewide campaigns. With regard to state races, these expenses include: paying rent, phones, internet, copies, etc. With regard to federal races, no party resources are being provided to either federal campaign that are not reimbursed at cost. This practice of providing candidates access to these resources is nothing new, is in complete compliance with all campaign finance laws, and has been done many times over the years, including prior to my chairmanship. In fact, you and others may not be aware, but the current policies for all candidates relating to this matter, including campaigns where there is a Republican primary, are much more stringent than in previous cycles.  Let me reiterate that this is a long-standing practice within the RPOF and these resources are available to any statewide campaign.

 

As it relates to my personal support of Governor Crist and his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, I have made it clear on a regular basis that the party has not formally endorsed the Governor nor has the Crist campaign been provided any resources that they have not paid and that are not available to all other GOP campaigns. Personally, my family and I, along with many loyal Republicans, are supporting our Republican incumbent governor because he is a conservative who has fought for the people of Florida every day of his administration and believes in our party’s principles of less taxes, less government, the 2nd Amendment and his unwavering support of pro-life and traditional marriage. Although the Governor is a candidate for the U.S. Senate, he is still the titular head of the Republican Party of Florida and the person primarily responsible for our party’s financial success and election victories. In addition as he is a Republican Governor and titular head of the party, I, as Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, will continue to attend any and all political events to which I am invited by the Governor, our Republican candidates or any local party leaders.

In regards to the Florida Victory 2010 program, Governor Crist, Attorney General McCollum and other statewide Republican candidates support this is a program, which has been used many times over the years. The Finance Chairman’s role for this initiative is no different than in previous cycles, in which all aspects of the program are subject standard oversight procedures and are all at the direction of the Chairman.

In response to your suggestion to terminate any political consultants which the Republican Party has or will use who may be supporting individual candidates, this request is unreasonable as this decision to employ such consultants is made with consideration to their expertise and past success in winning Republican campaigns. Specifically, Mr. Heffley’s relationship with the party is one in which his firm provides many valuable services, and he has been credited with winning countless Republican campaigns.  His support of Governor Crist is not, nor would I permit it to be, part of his business relationship with the RPOF. Any support that he provides to individual candidates is not in any way associated with his services to RPOF. I have however reiterated to all RPOF employees that conducting any activities for any candidates which would be deemed inappropriate, would result in disciplinary action including termination, which unfortunately has recently been necessary. RPOF employees like REC members are permitted to work for individual candidates on their own time and not in their official capacity, should they wish to do so.

In conclusion, I hope that this letter has clarified to you and others that neither myself, in my official capacity, nor the RPOF is providing any undue preferential support to one Republican campaign over another. Any campaign that is not currently utilizing resources available may contact our political department for information regarding doing so.  I, just like you and many of our grassroots leaders across Florida, am not supporting any Republican campaign in my official capacity, thus there is absolutely no violation of Rule 8, any more than when a county conducts a straw poll, which some believe to be the same as an endorsement and may be in violation of Rule 8.  While many in and out of our party seem to be committed to promoting discord, publicly attacking our Republican elected leaders, embarrassing our party and providing ammunition for the Democrats and the media to promote the idea that the Republican Party is on a path of self destruction, I do not believe this is true.  Since becoming Chairman, I have been committed to providing greater resources to grassroots volunteers, enhancing communication between the county REC’s and state party and promoting diversity and inclusiveness of all Republicans, so that our party may continue to grow and be victorious on Election Day! I encourage you and all of our Republican leaders to do the same.

Warmest Regards,

Jim

Comments

[Chris Ingram]

Jim Greer is a big fat idiot.

[Sick of RINOs]

Chairman Greer, you are making easier and easier to say NO to your requests for additional funds. My organization will give to candidates, not you.

Reap what you sow.

[CW MADDOX]

Jim Greers handling of Republican finances, like this response is at best disingenuous. At worst deceitful. NO MORE MADDOX MONEY FOR THE RPOF UNTIL THIS GOON IS GONE.

[Nero]

Bring me my fiddle... RPOF is burning.

[CD from St. Pete]

You lie!!!

[So Lonely]

Fat Jimmy, time to pack it up. As Hardy Jenns was told back in 87, "You want the truth? You want the plain truth? You're over."

[POd CM]

What are you waiting for, Jimbo, to be carried out in handcuffs?

Give it up now, while you can still salvage a shred of dignity.

[Heller]

Greer condoned IDENTITY THEFT by an RPOF employee against a sitting Chairman. When is the top cop going to do something about that, Gen. McCollum?

[what a waist]

This is defensive and weak. Obviously written by an attorney.

He is correct in that RPOF handles some functions for primary candidates. Ironically, Crist wasn't one of them in his gubernatorial race. Gallagher operated out of the building, largely; Crist didn't trust them, and was right to.

But just as Carole Jean gave Gallagher a free pass including BC04 materials for his campaign (and Cris's people raised holy hell for it), so Greer is doing the same.

The difference is CJJ had sense to keep it low key and at arms length to deny culpability.

As such, Greer shouldn't be surprised at the backlash when he so overtly throws his weight around.

[Bye Bye Jimbo...it was nice knowing you]

Enjoy the last few months of your political career Jimbo. You, Charlie, and Lemieux are all finished come primary night 2010.

You three can all go play cards with Charlie at his apartment after his wife divorcies him...talk about the good ol' days.

[The last days of RPOF]

Who is the press secretary over there who has to write this spin and lies, still Katie Gordon?

If so, I can't believe she is still there working for Jim Greer. She's talented but she's doing her career no favors by staying and working for these bufoons.

Who the hell is left over there who knows anything, I think it's all of Greers former bagboys and thats about it.

[Natty]

This lying, arrogant windbag MUST be forced off RPOF!

[Battle of the Bulge is NOT passing a third trip to the buffet.]

titular head? titular head? Does that make Jim Greer the boob?

[Cynical Idealist]

Jim Greer isn't capable of writing a letter like this, 1) it was written by a lawyer because he's too stupid to come to his own defense, 2) it's longer than his attention span will allow, and 3) it uses big words...

[Time to Re-Schnitzel, Mein Fuhrer]

It's like Hitler in the bunker, only with velvet Elvis paintings on the wall.

[word on the street]

From what I hear the press has about the trade missions in Chile and Brazil and a white powder being cleaned up off the bathroom floor, the storm is just beginning. Erin - Don't go down for these people.

[Mhhhaawww]

Maybe Greer will write just as lengthy a letter detailing his party AMEX card expenses.

[Ben]

Hey Fat Boy Greer,Tan Boy,Crist....why hide the Amex statements...you too are on your way out...mabe in cuffs !

[word on the street]

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.” - Think about it, Erin.

[Ned]

There was once a time when the RPOF and County Committees worked together. On that division alone, Greer has got to go. Y'all are going to blow it in 2010 if you keep up this nonsense. Rubio Radicals aren't helping either.

[Verde]

"While many in and out of our party seem to be committed to promoting discord, publicly attacking our Republican elected leaders, embarrassing our party and providing ammunition for the Democrats and the media..."

Let's see, Greer's people have launched an "anonymous" website attacking a Republican House Speaker, created a fake twitter account and used it to slander a duly elected REC Chairman, attempted to activate obscure Party rules to force a popular House Speaker out of a primary race, etc...

What have the RECs done? Oh, they've held forums, invited both candidates to speak and held an informal straw poll.

Who do YOU think is being "divisive?"

[word on the street]

Erin - You are young, smart and talented with a bright career in front of you. They are not worth it.

[Crist weak leadership has led to this]

All of this is as a result of Crist very weak leadership. Cist wanted to make everybody his "friend" and threw his supporters under the bus while constantly telling his enemies how much he "loved them" and "god bless them" and how "great they were" and actually thanking them in various pubic forums. How completely lacking leadership skills do you have to be to do these things. Leadership 101 requires surrounding yourself with your people when you get into power. Crist just had such weak leadership skills, the people that supported him were so betrayed and thrown under the bus they have left and wont be risking supporting Crist again and his enemies that Crist kept in place and whom he had a love fest with have continued to hate him and think him a fool for allowing them to stay in place to do him harm. This is all Crist doing. These things would never have dared happen under previous strong leaders like Jeb.

[Liberal Fatties]

I'd like to write a cease and desist letter to keep people form calling charlie crist a conservative... who are they trying to fool... he's about as conservative as Greer's appetite.

[THE Prime Minister]

Every good registered Republican, REC member, County Chairman, State Committeeman and State Committeewoman must pose the question to Bill McCollum: "If you are elected will you be keeping Jim Greer as RPOF Chairman?"

If McCollum weasels out on the question tell him that he will have lost your support. The only way to end this nightmare is for all of us who have built this party to inform McCollum that this cannot be allowed to continue.

A new broom sweeps clean.

And tell McCollum all RPOF employees need to be replaced. The corruption and back-biting withing RPOF HQ is not acceptable.

[THE Prime Minister]

And did I mention the folks who leak stuff to the Chamber?

[XX]

931p is right about the so america trade mission.. it's a good story, and was the talk of tallahassee for a long while. i'm surprised it hasnt surfaced sooner, but i suspect it will be in print/online any day now..("now how much does a new mirror cost?")

once that story is out, the behind the scenes events of the european trade mission will be next!

Buckle your seat belt, Charlie, it's gonna be a bumpy ride!

[Greer will lose Governor's race for McCollum]

11:17, the question is not whether McCollum will keep Greer as Chairman if elected Governor, but rather how much longer will it be before he asks him to step down NOW!!!

You don't think that this whole situation isn't going to affect McCollum's ability to win the Governor's race, period?

McCollum needs to grow some stones very quickly and get Greer out of there. The future of Florida lies with the Governor's race, not the US Senate. He better tell Charlie if you don't get your hand picked boy to step down, then I will!!

Better hurry up, Bill. Sink isn't your problem, Jimbo is!!

[Hear hear!]

The Prime Minister may be on to something! Getting a commitment from McCollom NOW would restore confidence in the Party and the system. On the other hand, if McCollom intends to stand for the same shenanigans from Greer and his people, then perhaps these other candidates are worth consideration.

[LEMIEUX=CRIST=SPECTER]

The perpetual disgrace that is the RPOF under fatboy Greer continues.

[RPOF MEMBER]

The state party chairman is an elected position and Greer has NO! I mean NO chance of being re-elected to anything in the state party. If Greer lasts until Jan, 2011 there will be a new chairman and that is the real fact of the matter.

[what a waist]

6:23 is correct; there's already moves behind the scenes to have Greer replaced with someone acceptable to grassroots and business community.

Greer is currently acceptable to no one except the person in the Governor's Office.

McCollum has already had the discussion with Crist to get rid of Greer. Needless to say, Crist won't go along with it.

[STD]

Carol Dover, while we all agree that Greer is a failure beyond all low expectations, get off this blog. You of all people have no right to throw stones after how you have handled the finances of FRLA. Remember, you almost got fired for your creative bookeeping. Gov. Crist locked you out and you can't keep kissing Jeb's patoot any longer. You need to worry about how you justify your reckless spending of association money.

[Time to Act]

This could be a way for McCollum to show people he can do leadership. He hasn't done much in this office, so maybe he should try to help the party. Somebody needs to. All the people who sat by while the rules were changed a couple years ago giving Greer all this power and making it almost impossible to remove him, should make up for it by encouraging McCollum to do something, finally.

[Greer needs to go before he does more damage]

6:23 you are right. However, we need to be able to work together and out our shoulder to the wheen in 2010 for the midtterm elections without being distracted and divided by Greer's shenanigans. That's why he needs to go NOW not in 2011.

[FATBOY HAS GOT TO GO]

How's this for arrogant stonewalling:

From: Brad Herold
To:
Sent: Wed, Nov 4, 2009
Subject: Statement On Internal Personnel Matter

State Committee Members,

Chairman Greer asked that I forward to you his response to a blog article that was posted this morning.  Due to this being an internal personnel matter the issue will not be discussed any further, however the Chairman wanted to insure that each member of the State Committee was aware of the facts surrounding this issue.

“RPOF recently learned that several months ago an RPOF employee may have established and used a Twitter account under the name Jason Steele.  RPOF investigated the matter and determined that while the activity was done without the knowledge or approval of the RPOF or any RPOF employees and did not involve the use of RPOF computers, the activity is totally unacceptable.  We have taken all appropriate action and the employee has been terminated. This is a continuation of a longstanding political feud between those Brevard County individuals involved is not in any way connected with the Republican Party of Florida.”

Brad Herold
Deputy Director of Field Operations
Republican Party of Florida
(850) 222-7920

[GOP Insider]

Greer's not going anywhere, He was elected and Crist backs him 100% and if it came to a show down the majority of State Committee Members, no matter what some of you anti Greer and anti Crist people say, would support the Chairman.

Plus, with Dockery now in the race, Greer has been a supporter of McCollum and gotten most of the Party behind him, so any attempt by McCollum against Greer would backfire and the Party would end up giving Dockery alot of assistance. I might add no matter what is said, Greer has been a pretty good Chairman in very tough times.

[GOP insider]

Greer's not going anywhere, He was elected and Crist backs him 100% and if it came to a show down the majority of State Committee Members, no matter what some of you anti Greer and anti Crist people say, would support the Chairman.

Plus, with Dockery now in the race, Greer has been a supporter of McCollum and gotten most of the Party behind him, so any attempt by McCollum against Greer would backfire and the Party would end up giving Dockery alot of assistance. I might add no matter what is said, Greer has been a pretty good Chairman in very tough times.

[TOP COP NEEDS TO STEP UP]

McCOLLUM, as top cop, needs to denounce the identity theft committed by the RPOF employee on RPOF time & equipment in the fake twitter account. He neeeds to investigate it and take it to trial. Otherwise, who will ever trust him again?

[whasup]

Resist obesity at the RPOF, starting with His Corpulence, Greer. The Rotund Pigs of Florida (RPOF) must go, so true conservatives can sort out a whole slew (or is that sty) of messes they have left.

[Conserv]

I bet Paula Dockery would take a stand on this, and I bet it would be before the election. I wonder if McCollum would do the same?

[Hal]

Jim Greer will still be acting the fool when they lead him away in handcuffs. Jst wait 'till Samson stanrts singing to stay out of jail. Or the kid who committed the identitu theft against Hason Steele. He won't go down for fata$$ either.

HAHAHAHAHAHA

[St. Pete Resident]

Jim Greer, just go for goodness sake!

Also, SpTimes, Greer's credit card he "cut up" at the RPOF quarterly, wasn't his. He had his in his pocket.

[1]

Dear Word on the Street,
For those of us who like in Tampa and not Tally and don't hear as much as what circulates in tally, can you give us a clearer picture of what happened on the South America trip?