Concerned Republicans say they aren’t out for the head of Florida GOP Party Chairman Jim Greer.
But they do want to talk to him. Behind closed doors.
Responding to an embarrassing string of controversies involving the Florida Republican Party, top officials, including the overall state vice chairman and 20 leaders from counties across the state, sent a letter this week demanding an “emergency” meeting with Greer.
Greer, the state GOP chairman since 2007 and an ally of Gov. Charlie Crist, has been accused of everything from playing favorites, turning his back to dirty tricks by party operatives and failing to properly supervise the use of party credit cards. While some have characterized Greer’s critics as a small minority, the call for the meeting shows that recent incidents are beginning to worry party leaders.
“While many factors may be involved in the various circumstances, our members and the public are receiving continuing negative reports about issues involving financing, candidates, political activities and more,” states the letter signed by Vice Chairman Allen Cox and others. “This has been, and continues to be, extremely damaging to our party, our candidates and our members.”
More here.
Greer says he will hold the meeting with the party executive board so that he can share with them facts about several things include the Twittergate scandal and contributions the party has received from Scott Rothstein. He said he the meeting will help the party unify as it moves into the 2010 elections.
The text of the letter reads:
Jim:
We have observed in recent weeks an unprecedented series of reports and events in the media which cast negative perceptions of the Republican Party, both to the public and to our members. While many factors may be involved in the various circumstances, our members and the public are receiving continuing negative reports about issues involving financing, candidates, political activities and more, concerning the Republican Party. This has been, and continues to be, extremely damaging to our Party, our candidates and our members.
As Vice Chairman, along with the Executive Board members listed below, we urge you to convene a special emergency closed meeting of the Executive Board as expeditiously as possible. We believe such a closed session, as was held during our retreat last summer, is needed immediately. The significance of the current events are such that it should not be the focus in an open Executive Board meeting, and cannot be deferred until the December scheduled meeting.
Please convene the Executive Board to meet in Orlando, as a central location, within the coming two weeks, if at all possible. The need for information, communication and action by our Executive Board is urgent.
Allen Cox,
Vice Chairman, RPOF
Peter Feaman, Esq.
Chairman, Caucus of State Committeemen and Committeewomen
Bob Starr
Chairman, Caucus of County Chairmen
Clyde Simpson, Chairman CD 2
Bob Reid, Chairman CD 3
Thomas Hogan, Chairman CD 5
Jerry Braley, CD 8
Chairman, Audit Committee
Bill Bunting, CD 9
Tony DiMatteo, CD 10
A.J. Matthews, Chairman CD 11
Robert Norman, Charman CD 12
Kathleen King, Chairman CD 13
Gary Lee, Chairman CD 14
Chuck Oates, Chairman CD 16
Debbie Goodman, Chairman CD 18
Ed Kennedy, Chairman CD 20
Illeana Ross, Chairman CD 21
Fran Hancock, CD 22
Sid Dinerstein, CD 23
David Rivera, CD 25
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