Questions arise over Florida GOP spending (Audit demanded of RPOF Chairman Jim Greer)

Miami Herald ^ | November 16, 2008 | Ellen Klas

[flattorney]

- - The Republican Party of Florida is facing a call for an audit after logging expenses for such items as trips to Disney World. Party bosses defended the expenses.

Republican Party of Florida chairman Jim Greer is being asked to answer to a call for an audit of party books amid questions from top Republican leaders as well as rank and file members about spending on chartered jets, five-star hotels, sports tickets and even men's clothing shops this election cycle. ''There are many folks who believe it's time for the RPOF to run the party with an eye toward fiscal discipline,'' said Brian Ballard, Florida finance chairman for the John McCain campaign. ``Not a day goes by where somebody won't grab me and say you have to get control of the party -- it's out of control.''

While concerns about Greer's spending have been festering behind the scenes for weeks, New Port Richey Republican Joe Aloisio brought the dust-up into the open Thursday when he sent a letter to party members calling for an audit of party finances. He asked why the party bought tickets to sporting events such as Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees games, trips to Disney World, and spent $682,000 on chartered planes when it could have been spending on TV and radio advertising for John McCain. ''Misappropriated money from the RPOF would have easily financed Spanish language and African-American media . . . and picked up the 3 percent we needed to win for John McCain,'' he wrote.

Leaders Respond - - Greer and party budget committee chairman Allan Cox responded to Miami Herald questions about the issue Saturday. They both defended the expenses, saying they primarily reflect gifts, tickets, transportation and high-end venues for fundraisers held by the party on behalf of McCain but also by House and Senate Republican leaders to attract large contributions from major donors. ''If you're going to ask someone to contribute $50,000 to $100,000, you want an event the donor would be receptive to attending,'' Greer said. The party has not only raised a record $23 million this year, he said, its major donor program ``has broken every fundraising goal.'' In a detailed letter to state executive committee members Saturday, Cox said the accounting system was accurate and sound and ``organized to function at corporate-level standards.''

After The Herald first broke this story online, Gov. Charlie Crist made it clear he doesn't need another audit to put his support behind Greer. In a letter to Republicans late Saturday, he endorsed Greer for another two-year term as party chairman and commended him for ``decisive leadership, energy, a tireless commitment to building our Party and promoting the Republican Party's principles and values.'' Cox, the party's budget chairman for the past six years, wrote that claims of misspending are based on political innuendo to suggest fiscal abuse.

Alerted by Blog - - Aloisio, 41, said he was alerted to the issue after reading a blog by Republican political operative Roger Stone in October calling for a ''forensic audit'' of party books. ''This guy needs to be audited,'' he told The Miami Herald. ``It's crazy how much money is being spent when people are scared for their futures and walking away from their homes. This is what McCain stood for.'' Stone, who says he doesn't know Greer, said he was frustrated that the McCain campaign was financially strapped in Florida and the party should have recognized ``that the McCain campaign, by choosing to take public finance, was limited.''

Greer responds that all the money raised in Florida was sent to the McCain campaign in Virginia and returned based on spending decisions the campaign made according to a ``Victory Plan.'' ''Decisions about how money was to be spent were made by others,'' he said. ``I also was not going to allow the RPOF to go into debt for the presidential candidate -- which has happened previously.'' The financial concerns have prompted some in the party to start recruiting challengers to Greer when he is up for reelection in January. Martin County Executive Committee member Eric Miller has already

[flattorney]

Gov. Charlie Crist and RPOF Chairman Greer are “joined at the hip” RINO’s that want to continue to move the Florida GOP, and National GOP, to the left. A number of key Republican and Independent Floridians and fundraisers, including myself and a majority of the executive committee of the GOP PAC I co-chair, are 100% against their “New GOP” platform. The “Poppa Bush Cartel(PBC)” shoved RINO McCain down our throats resulting in one of the worst run Republican Presidential campaigns in my lifetime and a serious beating by Obama-Biden. An electoral college beating that I predicted and posted on this site September 2008. Well…, the election is over, “W” will be gone in January, the PBC will no longer be pulling the GOP-RNC puppet strings, and RINO's like Crist, Greer, and others will face very stiff winds from the many individuals and fundraisers that are extremely serious about returning the GOP to it “core roots”. Greer also has thrown his name in the hat for RNC Chairman. Questions over his liberal-left positions and lavish spending will quickly derail his bid. Gov. Crist is up for re-election in 2010. To quote Gordon Gekko, “in my book you either do it right or you get eliminated.” - FlA

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11.15.08-MH: Gov. Crist Quickly comes to Greer's Defense in Finance Spat - - Thirty minutes after The Miami Herald first broke the story online of RPOF Chairman Jim Greer coming under fire for his management of party finances, Gov. Charlie Crist's made it clear Greer has his support. In a letter to Republicans late Saturday, Crist endorsed Greer, a former Oviedo city councilman whom he hand-picked to be party chairman two years ago, for another two-year term. Crist commended Greer for "decisive leadership, energy, a tireless commitment to building our party and promoting the Republican Party’s principles and values." Here's the gov's letter, sent over Greer's re-election campaign banner:

From the Office of Governor Charile Crist November 15, 2008

Dear Republican Friends:

I wish to take this opportunity to endorse and provide my full support for the re-election of Jim Greer as Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. During Jim’s term, he has provided decisive leadership, energy, a tireless commitment to building our Party and promoting the Republican Party’s principles and values. During the past two years, Chairman Greer has accomplished much to be proud of: including expanding the Party’s minority outreach programs, providing greater resources to County Republican Executive Committee’s, enhancing the Party’s communication methods, while ensuring that Florida’s Republican Party played a prominent role in the State and National political process. Our Party’s future is bright and I believe that Chairman Greer is the right person to lead the Republican Party into the future and to greater success. Please join me in supporting Jim Greer for re-election as Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida.

Sincerely,

Charlie Crist Governor, State of Florida

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11.15.08 TD, Excerpt: Crist endorses GOP Chairman Greer for Re-election - - Gov. Charlie Crist endorsed Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer for re-election Saturday night, saying he has "provided decisive leadership" for the state party. After Democrat Barack Obama carried the state and two GOP congressmen lost on Nov. 4, newly elected Martin County state committeeman announced his candidacy for Greer's job. Efforts to reach Miller late Saturday unsuccessful. Crist did not mention Miller, who has cast himself as a more conservative leader for the state party, in endorsing Greer. After his 2006 election as governor, Crist chose Greer -- a former Oviedo city councilman -- for the chairmanship. Despite Crist's backing, Greer barely beat former Chairman Carole Jean Jordan, whose name was unexpectedly put in nomination at a state committee meeting.

MAR