Adam C. Smith
reports in Tampa Bay's
The Buzz:
April 28, 2010
So the word is out: Crist is telling key financial backers that he's running for senate with no party affiliation. The announcement is scheduled for 5 p.m. in Straub Park in downtown St Petersburg. They're expecting a small army of media, and it looks like Crist may have no Republican press staffers with him, and will rely on folks like local supporter Greg Truax and finance director Dane Eagle to deal with press inquiries.
His kick-off fundraiser is tentatively scheduled Fisher Island off Miami Beach, where his wife owns a a home.
Thrasher: No one is pushing Crist out of the RPOFby Brandon Larrabee on April 26, 2010
TALLAHASSEE -- Sen. John Thrasher, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, talked with reporters for a few minutes Monday about Gov. Charlie Crist's looming decision on whether to bolt the party and run for U.S. Senate as an independent.
Crist, whom polls say would lose the GOP primary handily to former House Speaker Marco Rubio, is publicly considering whether to launch a candidacy free of party restraints. He has to decide by Friday, which is coincidentally the last day of the legislative session.
"I just don't see where anybody's done anything to push him away," Thrasher said.
He conceded that Crist has taken some shots from party officials like House Speaker Larry Cretul of Ocala, who endorsed Rubio by hammering Crist. (The Washington Post's Dana Milbank has more particulars on the national GOP's reaction here. He calls for giving the governor a hug.) But Thrasher said none of the criticisms have been sharp enough to justify Crist leaving the party.
Thrasher also said Crist would essentially be turning his back on many of his former supporters if he becomes an independent now. Many of them have worked hard in general elections, Thrasher said, to make sure Crist has held a string of state offices.
"He owes it to those people who are Republicans, I think, that he continues to be a Republican," Thrasher said.
.....
No, John Thrasher. **"No one is pushing Crist out of the Party"*.
As Jeb Bush's key ally, RPOF Chairman John Thrasher and the RPOF have already burned Crist at the stake.
Bolt with Crist and pay the price, memo warns GOP faithfulBy MICHAEL PELTIER
April 22, 2010
TALLAHASSEE — Anticipating a possible bolt of Gov. Charlie Crist, the Republican Party of Florida on Thursday told members in no uncertain terms that there would be a price to pay for bolting with him.
In a memo to the party’s executive director, Republican Party of Florida General Counsel Jason Gonzalez reminded local party leaders that party bylaws include a loyalty oath that prevents them from endorsing non-GOP candidates in any upcoming race.
“At the heart of the Party Loyalty Oath is the requirement that members of the Republican Party of Florida’s Executive Committees …. Cannot provide their active, public, or financial support to any candidate other than ‘the Republican candidate’ in a general election,” Gonzalez wrote.
Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, and Republican Party of Florida chairman, said late Thursday afternoon that he is simply taking precautions in case Crist decides to leave the party and make an independent run for the U.S. Senate. Speculation of just such a move have been mounting in recently weeks as Crist continues to trail in the polls against his Republican rival, former House Speaker Marco Rubio.
“We ought to be prepared,” Thrasher said. “It’s part of due diligence and trying to let our members know what the consequences are if, in fact, that happens. Nothing more than that.”
.....
His recent vetoes of Republican backed efforts on leadership funds and teacher tenure have prompted many politicos to opine that the governor will leave the party.
Such decisions have already prompted prominent state and national candidates to either withdraw their support for Crist or endorse his Republican opponent. Former vice president Dick Cheney, for example, became the latest Republican to endorse Rubio. In a statement Thursday, Cheney said: “Charlie Crist has shown time and again that he cannot be trusted in Washington to take on the Obama agenda because on issue after issue he actually supports that agenda,” Cheney said. “Lately it seems Charlie Crist cannot be trusted even to remain a Republican. I strongly urge him to either stay in the Republican primary or drop out of the race.”
The party, too, is circling the wagons in anticipation of a three-candidate race. Along with withholding their support, the memo tells party officials that they must actively work to return contributions of candidates who defect.
“Any member who fails to formally revoke his or her public support and request the return of any contributions made to a candidate running against the candidate of the Republican Party would be in violation of the RPOF Rules and would be subject to removal from party office and membership on Republican executive committees.” Gonzalez concluded.
.....
I can smell the putrid RPOF desperation from here.
GIVE 'EM HELL, CHARLIE.
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