SELECT YOUR VOTE

In response to the daily calls for him to resign, Republican Party of Florida state chairman Jim Greer has this to say: ain't happenin'

In a letter to state committee members, Greer writes: "It is treason that for the sake
of personal ambition that members of this party are airing dirty
laundry."

He also notes several key stats for Florida's GOP: A 26-14 lead in the state Senate, a 76-44 lead in the House and a 15-10 lead in U.S. House seats. On the personal front, he reminds readers that he received a 25-2 vote of confidence at the December party board meeting.

At the end of the letter, Greer offers this warning: "I would tell them that a
person’s reputation is precious, and that I will use every resource in
my command to actively protect mine."

Full text below:

State Committee Members,

I feel compelled to respond to the recent criticisms from some
members of the state executive committee and calls for my resignation
or removal.

First and foremost, to remove any doubt about my intentions, I will absolutely not resign my position.

At the December 2009 RPOF board meeting, I received a vote of
confidence from 25 of the 27 board members in attendance.  I enjoy the
support of Florida’s Republican Governor, United States Senator,
legislative leadership, several congressmen, dozens of state
legislators and thousands of Florida’s grassroots leaders and donors. 
What I do not enjoy is the support of one of the Republican primary
campaigns for the United States Senate.  While this is unfortunate, I
will not let the efforts of one campaign deter me from the mission I
accepted in February 2009, when over 75 precept of state executive
committee voted to re-elect me as Chairman of the Republican Party of
Florida.

What has transpired in the last week has been nothing short of
slander and libel by a group of people bent on the destruction of the
Republican Party.  A coordinated campaign of misinformation, complete
with late night phone calls and e-mails filled with rumors and
innuendo, all in attempt to create the appearance of chaos at a time
when the party is laser-focused on defeating Democrats. 

The suggestion that the RPOF was in an inferior position to the
Florida Democratic Party is insane.  We have 76 of 120 state
representatives, 26 of 40 state senators, the Governor’s Mansion, a
United States Senate seat, three of four Cabinet positions, 15 of 25
congressmen and a healthy representation at the county and city
leadership levels.  We have outraised our Democrat counterparts in all
but one quarter in the last three years.

In 2008, in a general election that was miserable for Republicans
across the US, we did not lose a single incumbent in the Florida House
and Florida Senate.  We did this despite the Obama Campaign outspending
McCain 7 to 1 in Florida.  Let me repeat - there has been NO erosion in
the house, senate or cabinet.  This is not a party on the verge of
irrelevancy. 

It has also been suggested that the RPOF is on the verge of
bankruptcy.  In fact, if all outstanding bills were paid today, we
would have over $1.5 million on the bank.  This is not a party on the
verge of bankruptcy.

My decision to cut up my credit card, along with the cards of all
nonessential staff, was done to demonstrate that we were serious about
reining in embarrassing stories of European vacations and expensive
hotel stays.  To be clear, I was not responsible for either. As
Chairman, I take full responsibility for all expenditures, and have
taken steps to ensure that we will never deal with stories like that
again. We have also cut operating expenses and have streamlined our
processes to facilitate future reductions.

Yes, in hindsight some mistakes were made, but we have now put in
the proper spending controls and are working with all campaigns to
ensure that we are ready to fight our real foe, the Democrats. We have
good candidates, and are moving forward with an aggressive and
financially sound election plan that will ensure continued Republican
successes in 2010.

Now, if I may, I’d like to talk about these recent calls for my
resignation. They all have one thing in common, and it is not
geography, ideology or good intention.  It is treason that for the sake
of personal ambition that members of this party are airing dirty
laundry and even budget and strategy plans publicly to serve their
selfish interests.

Read what Democrat Steve Schale observed about what is happening
to the Grand Old Party and what it meant when Democrats behaved
similarly:

“Between 1996 and 2000, the Florida Democratic Party had
something like four chairs.  During the same period, the House
Democrats ousted their leader designate, Willie Logan.  The result: 
utter disaster.  Between 1998 and 2000 alone, the Democrats lost
virtually every statewide office, including the Presidency, a couple of
state senate seats and 12-14 state house seats.  And it wasn’t like the
national mood was horrible then for Democrats. In 1998, Democrats won
virtually every southern Governor and picked up seats in Congress both
cycles.

But not here.  That era alone took my party from relevant
minority to the dark ages—-a place we are just now still climbing out
of.”

I will not resign and leave early.  Not for my sake, but for the institution of the party.

I have made no secret of my friendship with Governor Charlie
Crist.  Even casual observers know that I hold this office in large
part because of his support.  Yes, I do intend to vote for him in the
primary next year.  My rights to support my friends were not forfeited
the day I was elected.  Having said this, the RPOF will remain neutral
until the voters select a nominee next August.

Per RPOF rules, the only process to remove a member of the
committee, including the chairman, is through the grievance committee. 
I will recuse myself from that process and let the system work the way
it is intended to. 

What I will not do is be influenced by the “once a day”
announcement of a new call for my resignation. I was elected to a two
year term and I will fill that term. As evidenced by the 25-2 vote of
confidence at the December board meeting, my opponents form a very
bitter minority that chooses to spend its time fighting with other
Republicans while the Democrats smile.

I call upon Allen Cox, Allison DeFoor, Peter Feaman, Bob Starr
and the other stakeholders in this primary to end this ridiculous
interparty bickering. I believe 2010 could be a special year for
Republicans in Florida and nationwide, but only if we keep focus on who
the opposition is: the socialist, big government democrats that won’t
stop until they’ve run this great country into the ground.

I will meet personally with any Republican donor, whether they’ve
given $5 of $250,000, to explain how our new staffing, operational and
spending processes will make sure their hard earned money is spent
wisely.

Finally, I would offer a gentle but firm warning.  Several of my
opponents have told me that they will continue this attack on my
character until I acquiesce to their demands.  I would tell them that a
person’s reputation is precious, and that I will use every resource in
my command to actively protect mine.  Hateful lies intended to hurt my
family are certainly not part of Reagan’s 11th commandment, I will not
stoop to their disgraceful level instead I will stay focused on winning
elections.

I hope the hardworking supporters, donors and elected officials
of the Republican Party of Florida know how honored I am to serve them
and how proud I am to have their support.

Respectfully,

James A. Greer