GOP uber donors call for Jim Greer's ouster

This may be the biggest shoe to drop yet against Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer: A host of the most veteran and accomplished GOP bundlers in Florida are calling on Greer to resign now or be ousted. One might try to brush off these names as Jeb Bush allies, but we can't understate the significance for Charlie Crist of the name MEL SEMBLER on the following letter. No prediction yet for what will happen Jan 8-9 in Orlando, but at this moment it looks hard to see how Greer keeps his job:

LETTER TO ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF REPUBLICAN PARTY OF FLORIDA

We, the undersigned, constitute a geographically diverse group of professional, civic, and business leaders from all regions of Florida.  Nonetheless, we have been over the years, and more so now, singularly united in our firm conviction and support for the principles and values of the Republican Party here in our Great State of Florida.Each one of us has spent many years and many election cycles helping candidates at the local, county and state levels in elections, raising money and doing whatever was needed for the election of Republican candidates in Florida as well as across our country. Our success to date is of course testament to the hard work and dedication of the thousands of workers and generous donors who made possible  the incredible successes over the past twelve (12) years.

But, more importantly, our success could not have been possible without the highest ethical principles of not only our candidates for whom we have all supported and worked --- but also our Party Leadership--- holding to the values that make our Florida Republican Party relevant.

 If any part of this essential triad relationship-----the Candidate, the Party Leadership and equally, if not most important, the volunteer army of donors at all levels along with campaign workers who give of their time, energy and largesse to willingly support a cause/candidate they believe in for the good of our state and country---does not meet these standards in an integrated and harmonious way so as to provide strong and trusting support of each other----then we have an unstable alignment, and the chances of success are greatly diminished.

Based on the current state of affairs of the Republican Party of Florida today---first, the continued inability to raise the necessary resources to fund its budget; second, its inability to adjust its budget to eliminate unnecessary expenses; and third, its inability to motivate and unite all Republicans in a common effort for our collective benefit--it is evident that one of the elements of that essential triad relationship has fallen short.

This has resulted in a crisis of confidence in our Party with widespread uneasiness, lack of trust, lack of motivation, and raises questions about the leadership of Jim Greer, Chairman of the Party, among the grass roots active members of the Party, elected Leadership and those of us who have historically rallied financial support around the state of Florida.

Thus we can only come to the conclusion that there must be an immediate change of chairmanship of the Republican Party of Florida.

There must be a change in order to restore total confidence in our Party's ability to conserve its assets, save and protect them for the specific purpose of electing Republicans in their campaigns; not only in 2010 election cycle but also  to not carry forward debt if possible for the next 2012 election cycle. 
 
There must be a change in leadership to successfully execute the strategic plan for victory in 2010 election cycle for Republicans on the ballot in both federal and non-federal races.

There must be a change to reinvigorate, restore confidence and restart all elements of our Republican base so the Party can successfully raise the necessary financial resources to achieve these objectives. 
 
We do not take this Call for Action lightly.  It is even more agonizing to publically call for this plan of action but it would not have come to this had Jim Greer  heeded warning calls and implemented a strategic plan of action for our Republican candidates as a competent State Chairman should and would.

Many months have passed with no response from Mr.  Greer to private appeals for a change in course of action, and now with less than a year until the primary elections, we must set our internal house in order straight away to achieve victory in November.

The best interests of the Party would be for Mr. Greer to resign now.  Failing this, he should be removed as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your attention to this very serious situation.   

Mr. Richard Beard, Tampa   Mr. William Becker, Vero Beach 

Mr. Seth Bernstein, Orlando     Ambassador Charles E. Cobb, Miami     

Mr. J.C. Demetree, Jacksonville   Mr. Earl Durden, Panama City      

Mr. Ed Easton, Miami   Mr. Mark Guzetta, Boca Raton     

Mr. Charles Hilton, Panama City    

Ambassador Al Hoffman, Ft. Myers,  

Ambassador Mel Sembler, St. Petersburg 

Ambassador Ned Siegel,  Boca Raton,  Palm Beach 

Comments

[Fred]

Fatboy Greer needs to resign TODAY!

[mjddjm]

The tail wagging the dog, politica as usual.

[Sen Jim DeMint]

A Republican at the bottom of the sea? A great start. Who they need to get rid of now is their Token porch brother national chairman Michael Steele and embarrassing dunce to all our fellow Republicans as is this author.

[Harmon Brody]

I have to laugh at "the highest ethical principles" phrase. Any connection between ethics and the machinations and bankrupting actions of the GOP elected officials in the state of Florida is purely coincidental.

Despite the Jeb years where thousands of state employees were replaced with politically close contractors, when the reserve funds of the state were looted...there is still this illusion that Republicans have ethically uplifted us.....yes..to a sewer.

The REpublican Party and Mr. Greer have been conducting a dedicated fight to sabotage healthcare reform. His failure there is a welcome victory for those of us who need help with rising medical costs. As long as the GOP supports ignoring healthcare and in fighting for the insurance industries they show a contempt for most Floridians and all that is ethical.

[Mike]

He ought to be recalled for wearing that gross tie.

[Kaaren]

I see that Charles Cobb is endorsing the removal of Greer.

[Robert J]

Al Hoffman of Nixon fame wow; that's the pot calling the kettle rusty.

[byron]

The Republican Party is out of touch with reality. Cobb is not the problem the lack of ideas, direction and morals is... If you believe the token porch brother represents the fall of your party; look inward, that small shallow puddle in the distance is your character!

[miaminative1970]

Man, the Republican party is falling apart. First they sabotage their best interests by creating an unnecessary primary controversy by supporting Rubio. Rubio will not beat Crist, but will wound him and make him weaker for the general.

Now, they're gonna have a public feud about party leadership in the same year as the Senatorial election. In the meantime, The Dems are laughing at us.

Not sure what to say other than maybe, "welcome Senator Meek."

[Bethie]

Marco Rubio can beat anyone. The Republican Party is no worse off than the Democrats, they both have become slaves for special interest. We need to wipe the slate clean and start all over...

[ron eldridge]

Marco Rubio will win. Crist would be more of the same alongside the democrats.I am not going to support any left leaning candidate.
We need new leadership all over the country. Michael Steele is a good man that I believe will have the party moving in the right direction. Who will step up in Florida now?

[dfins006]

Can we do the same to Carlos Alvarez??!!!

[b]

Wait until mid-term and 2013! You will see many, many more of the GOP. We're coming back STRONG.