Tallahassee–Tony DiMatteo, Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida’s Grievance Committee, released the following statement regarding the RPOF Grievance Committee Hearing held today in Orlando.

“This weekend’s Grievance Committee Hearing has received a significant amount of publicity at the hands of those involved with the individual grievances. Though the grievance process is an internal party matter, I believe it has become necessary to explain the proceedings and the Grievance Committee’s role within Republican Party of Florida.

“The Grievance Committee is comprised of members of the RPOF State Executive Committee. Our involvement with the RPOF is in a volunteer capacity. Grievances are a formal complaint from one member of the Republican Party of Florida’s county leadership structure to another member of the county leadership structure. All grievances originate at the county level and are filed with the State Party and then referred to the Grievance Committee.

“All parties involved are informed that a grievance as been filed, and given ample time to prepare for the Grievance Committee Hearing. At the hearing, the petitioner and the respondent are given an opportunity to present their arguments.  In the weeks following the meetings, the committee members compile a recommendation for final resolution on each grievance and then present the recommendation to Chairman Greer.

“Several recent news stories have mentioned a “purge” of certain members of county Republican Executive Committees. There is no ‘purge.’ To date, Chairman Greer has only removed one person from the leadership structure of the State Party. The removal came at the unanimous recommendation of the Grievance Committee. Contrary to what has been reported, there have been numerous circumstances when the committee has recommended removal and the Chairman has chosen not to remove a member.

“Additionally, the grievances in question do not “kick-out” members of the Republican Party. The parties involved with the grievances are members of the Republican Party of Florida’s leadership structure. Like any organization, we have an obligation to our members to ensure that our leadership abides by the rules of the organization. Our formal grievance process is the mechanism for this review of the conduct of Republican leaders. A removed member is still a Republican and eligible to participate in Republican activities, but prohibited from holding a leadership position for a set amount of time.

“The RPOF Grievance Committee heard two grievances today. The private meeting was closed to the media for the benefit of those involved, as well as members of the grievance committee, who are all private citizens serving in a volunteer capacity. Like any organization, we have a right to conduct this internal party business in private. This is a political party, not a public entity. As private citizens with full time jobs and lives outside of politics, the members of the grievance committee request the courtesy to conduct this private political business without having our images spread all over television and the newspapers without our permission. Over the past several weeks, the State Party has been more than willing to speak to media outlets about this process, while keeping the specific details of the grievances private for the sake of those involved; however, today’s meeting was private, and it would not have been appropriate to discuss the proceedings.

“I think it is worth reiterating that these grievances originate at the county level. The State Party is involved only in order to facilitate the formal mechanism for maintaining organization within the ranks of our county leadership.

“In closing, this process and the publicity it has received at the hands of those involved, certainly detracts from the true business of the RPOF, which is getting Republicans elected.”

Marco Rubio

In a sign of turmoil in Marco Rubio’s underdog campaign for U.S. Senate, two of his top campaign staffers are dramatically scaling back their roles.

Campaign manager Brian Seitchik will drop off the payroll in a week, while fundraising consultant Ann Herberger will significantly cut back her responsibilities. With Republican frontrunner Charlie Crist trouncing Rubio in fundraising and Rubio trying to bat down rumors that he’ll drop out to run for attorney general, the staff shakeup is likely to fuel new questions about Rubio’s long-term viability.

The Miami Republican downplayed the staff changes, saying it merely reflected the campaign’s need to run an unconventional, grass roots campaign against Crist.

“This is not a purge or anything, quite the contrary,” Rubio said, while campaigning Thursday night in Pasco County.

For now at least, Rubio is running a campaign without a day-to-day campaign manager or professional fundraiser. He said his scheduler will also serve as finance director.

Herberger helped the Bush family raise tens of millions of dollars for assorted campaigns, but Rubio is off to a slow start. In the three months ending June 30, he raised $340,000 compared to $4.3-million for Crist.

“I believe you run a campaign like a business, and in a business you have to be patient, you have to let the stew simmer. But it takes time. Voters and donors need to get to know Marco,” said Herberger, whose involvement brought added credibility to Rubio’s campaign and a link to former Gov. Jeb Bush’s financial network.

Seitchik, who moved from California in May to work for Rubio, said he’ll continue to help out on an volunteer basis.

“I wish nothing but the best for Marco’s future,” Seitchik said. “It’s been a privilege working for someone that gives Republicans reason to be excited.”

Jason Steele

In an ever-widening effort, the GOP party purge that began with the removal of Orange County Republican Leader Deon Long, the leading African-American Republican leader in Florida has now been extended to over a dozen other conservative GOP leaders from Pensacola to Miami.  It has just been learned that former State Representative, the Honorable Jason Steele, Chairman of the Brevard Republican Executive Committee has also been targeted for removal by a Greer appointed “grievance” committee that Greer boasted last week was “handpicked” to vote out his opponents.

Chairman Steele just released the following statement:

Brevard REC Chairman: Party Leaders Targeted by RPOF Bosses, Who is Next?

From the Desk of Jason Steele, Chairman, Brevard Republican Executive Committee

Brevard Republican Party

2525 Aurora Rd. Suite 105

Melbourne, Florida 32935

(321) 254-0073

URGENT!!!

Republicans Are being Targeted: You Could Be Next!

ACTION NEEDED NOW

It’s been more than a month of debate since Brevard County Republican Chair, Jason Steele, led his local party in voicing decent over the early endorsements of primary candidates by state party bosses, and statewide Republicans remain engaged in a battle for the soul of the Republican Party.

Following Steele’s announcement that his local party would not support primary endorsements by the state political machine, and the subsequent resignation of the Brevard Republican Executive Committee Secretary, Travis Clinger, who was asked to resign amidst allegations that he acted against his organizations vote to rebuke state bosses, RPOF has begun a purge of independent minded Republican leaders throughout the state.

Deon Long, one of the state’s most influential African American leaders, was recently removed and banned for life from participating in Republican Party activities, after he spoke out criticizing party big wigs for their attacks on Republican Liberty Caucus leader Will Pitts.

“This is the kind of witch hunt that will only serve to purge loyal conservative Republicans, and make room for cronies who will tow the line behind part fat cats and their pet candidates,” said Brevard Chairman Jason Steele. “In a time when we are working so hard at the local level to expand the outreach of the conservative message, we need leaders like Deon, and Will Pitts, and a hundred others. This is not the time to stifle debate by silencing the real leaders of our party.”

Steele himself has been notified that he is the target of a grievance alleging he violated the RPOF loyalty oath by his actions at the local level. “I have been and remain a loyal Republican, but I have not been, and will not be a mindless follower of the state ‘party line,’” said Steele. “We are engaged in nothing less than a battle for the soul of our party, and our nation, and I will not sit by and watch as voices are shunned for speaking out!”

Steele called RPOF actions a “purge” and said he and other leaders around the state would fight to see that every Republican voice counted, and that the party returned to the corps values that he said his organization was built upon.

“We live in a nation facing tough economic times, threats to our way of life are at home and abroad, and the world marches forward looking to us for leadership, and it troubles me that the party of Lincoln and Reagan is being decimated by a hand full of good ole’ boys looking to preserve their own power,” said Steele. “We have been the party of ideas, of true inclusion, and now we must remind every Republican of that, and we must call on each other’s strength and commitment to restore and rejuvenate our ‘Grand Old Party’”

If you feel as strongly as I do, Please contact us and help us take our party back. (321) 258-8993, or e-mail rfbjasonsteele@juno.com. Your help is vital if we are going to restore individual accountability to our party and our nation!

Sincerely,

Jason Steele
Chairman

Brevard Republican Executive Committee

http://brevardrepublicans.org/2008/12/15/hello-world/

Jim Greer

On July 2, Republican Party of Florida chairman Jim Greer officially removed Deon Long from his precinct committeeman post with the Orange County Republican Executive Committee as punishment for Long’s attempted takeover of OCREC.

Back in December, longtime OCREC chairman Lew Oliver was re-elected by one vote over the insurgent Long, a Winter Park lawyer, but only after rejecting more than a dozen or so potential Long votes because they didn’t turn in paperwork on time. Long and his allies sued, but a court dismissed his claims.

Calling that election invalid – two OCREC members abstained, which in Long’s view means that Oliver didn’t get the majority he needed – Long held a sort of shadow meeting in February, at which he was elected OCREC chairman. Except he wasn’t, because the state party didn’t recognize his “victory.” Greer summoned Long to a grievance hearing in March, where Oliver presented his case that Long should be ejected from the local GOP. Long didn’t show.

Finally, last week Long received the not-unexpected decision in a terse, one-page letter: “I accept and adopt the [grievance committee’s] unanimous recommendation that you should be removed from the position of Orange County Republican Precinct Committeeman effective immediately,” Greer wrote. “Please govern yourself accordingly.”

Greer’s decision “doesn’t have any consequences,” Long says dismissively. He recently re-filed his lawsuit against OCREC. He’s all but announced his campaign for Congress against Suzanne Kosmas.

This evening brought word of yet another Republican being brought to the grievance committee. Will Pitts of St. John’s County. In his grievance letter he received it stated why he was being brought to the committee.  Here are the reasons

1. Attended a Pro-America Rally in Minneapolis hosted by the Campaign for Liberty and wore a “Ron Paul” button on my lapel after the Republican primary
2. Attended an End the Fed (Federal reserve bank) Rally in Jacksonville
3. Spoke or written things in a manner harmful to the GOP specially regarding RPOF Chairman Jim Greer and Gov. Charlie Crist by stating they are “pathetic and embarrassing” and other comments regarding Senator John McCain and President George Bush.

Is this really a party that I want to be a part of?  I wouldn’t think all Republicans feel the same way Greer does.  It would lead one to think he is on a little bit of an ego trip.

Eating your own does not seem to help the Republican Party either.  With so much effort being put in by the GOP with Drive the Discussion round tables, and the listening tour it would seem that the party wouldn’t want to cause members to jump ship.

If Republicans want to get their party back it is time to stand up. We will not win in 2012 with the same people like Greer destroying the Republican Party.

Republicans are just coming off of a HUGE loss to Democrats.  It would appear that the Republican Party would want to be in a BUILDING PHASE rather than a tearing down stage.

Alex Sink

More proof that even though the 2010 gubernatorial election is 16 months away; the silly season is in full swing.

A Republican activist from Gainesville has launched a new Web attack ad against Democrat Alex Sink, the state’s chief financial officer who wants to be Florida’s governor.

Stafford Jones today sent out a notice touting a new video on his “Don’t Bank on Sink,” Web site that keys on recent criticism, including an ethics complaint, that Sink improperly used state aircraft for personal travel.

It’s a slick parody of the old “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” TV series. You can see the video at http://dontbankonsink.com/

The Web site is itself a word play on Sink’s former occupation as a banker.

Readers may remember that we broke a story on State Democrats touting a theme song for McCollum’s campaign called “Working 10 – 2” to the tune of Dolly Parton’s 9 – 5 song.

So the score is currently Dem 1 vs. Rep 1….

Marco Rubio

Former Speaker of the Florida House Marco Rubio gave a rousing speech today at a Tea Party in Orlando, where about 1,000 Central Florida residents came together. It seems something besides Money and Power drive this young man from South Florida.  My thought is that is a simple and genuine love for this country.  Most politicians when running for office promise everything under the sun to get elected.

So what makes Rubio tick?  I believe it is Heart, Determination, and Genuine Love! In most of the speeches I have heard of his love of his children, and of our country.  He seems to be genuinely concerned with problems facing Floridians.

Summer Days in Florida get HOT!  Yet it didn’t seem to bother this future Senator of Florida when people would grab him and ask him questions.  He seemed intrigued and interacted with the folks.  Yes, I know he is campaigning.  However I have seen many candidates get agitated with citizens from time to time.  Especially the older ones who want to talk your ear off on the campaign trail.  It didn’t seem to bother Rubio.

Rubio has the charisma, and the stamina to go toe to toe with Charlie Crist, who is the establishment’s candidate.  Just this quarter alone, Rubio has raised $125,000, all through the Internet.  Today there is even a money bomb planned for him.  It’s called $44 on the 4^th.

We, as Floridians have a choice to make over the next year.  We can support the candidate that the establishment wants us to support or we can make our voices heard and support a candidate who will NOT be an empty suit in DC.

Let’s have Marco Rubio STAND FOR US in DC.

Holly Benson

The race for Florida attorney general may be one of the hottest contests in 2010, but the presumed Republican frontrunner has yet to step in the ring.

Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, a former legislator from North Fort Myers, promised an announcement at the end of June. Kottkamp was in his Fort Myers office on Thursday and could not be reached for comment.

As his supporters wait, and the Ethics Commission weighs a complaint about his use of state airplanes, the name of a potential primary opponent has surfaced: Holly Benson, secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration and a former lawmaker from Pensacola.

“She’s a bright, articulate, young woman and a lot of people are looking to her as a potential opponent for Kottkamp in that race,” Sally Bradshaw, a veteran GOP strategist and former campaign manager for Gov. Jeb Bush, said during a discussion of recent poll results on a political Web-cast sponsored by Sachs Communications.

Benson on Thursday would only say she is weighing her options.

“Folks have asked me about it,” Benson said. “They’re looking for a lawyer and the party needs some diversity.”

For a time, Kottkamp considered running for governor, but he has backed current Attorney General Bill McCollum in that race.

In May, Kottkamp said he was leaning to the attorney general race. “I’m giving very serious consideration, most likely, to attorney general,” Kottkamp said then.

He said that would allow him to emphasize his strengths from working as a lawyer, a member of the Legislature and lieutenant governor.

Both Benson, 38, and Kottkamp, 48, owe their current jobs to Gov. Charlie Crist. Like Kottkamp, Benson was first elected to the House in 2000. Both were serving in the House when Crist came calling, selecting Kottkamp as a running mate during the campaign for governor; and Benson to head the Department of Business and Professional Regulation once he was elected. Crist named Benson to her current post in February 2008.

Benson said she has no timetable for making a decision. However, she said she is hesitant to leave the agency at a time when Congress is debating a massive overhaul of the nation’s health care system and at a time when her agency is about to roll out a major, electronic health records initiative.

Pat Patterson

DELAND—Surrounded by supporters, State Representative Pat Patterson (R-DeLand) today formally launched his campaign for Florida’s Chief Financial Officer in his hometown of DeLand.

As the House Chair of the Insurance, Business, and Financial Affairs Policy Council, Patterson and his committee members oversee many divisions within the Office of the Chief Financial Officer and the Offices of Insurance and Financial Regulation. He also serves on the General Government Policy Council, and the State Universities and Private Colleges Appropriations Committee.

Representative Patterson, an independent, consumer-focused insurance agent of more than thirty years, is currently serving his fifth term in the Florida House of Representatives. A U.S. Navy veteran and former public school teacher, Patterson also served two terms on the Volusia County Council.

“Floridians deserve a Chief Financial Officer who is willing to put the wellbeing of Floridians first,” said Patterson. “I want to put my thirty years of experience to work advocating for consumers in Tallahassee.”

A native Floridian, Patterson emphasized his three decades of experience assisting consumers with insurance and financial decisions to the crowd gathered for his announcement, held at DeLand’s historic Grant Bly House. He has advocated for greater consumer choiceandcriticized Tallahassee for placing billions of dollars in hurricane risk on the backs of the people of Florida.

“Floridians deserve to have a choice in this election,” said Patterson. “With me, they’ll get someone who has spent a lifetime educating and advocating for consumers, and someone who understands that we can’t just sit idly by while our state is one major storm away from financial devastation and potentially billions in unfair tax increases.”

FL Gov. Charlie Crist (R), who is the establishments pick to fill Sen. Mel Martinez’s seat, issued a fundraising request wrapped around this weekend’s July 4th celebration.

In the email request Crist reminds voters that it’s he, not Marco Rubio, the other Republican in the running to become the next Florida Senator, who has the support of national Republicans:

“I am honored to have the support of Republican leaders such as U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander, John Cornyn, Mitch McConnell, Mel Martinez, John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and my friend and mentor former U.S. Senator Connie Mack.”

The full letter is available below.

Dear Friends, As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s independence, I am reminded of the very reason I first heard the call to public service. I strongly believe there is nothing we cannot accomplish as Americans if we work together in a principled way to create for our children a nation stronger than the one we inherited.

When my friend Senator Mel Martinez announced his plans to retire from the United States Senate, I had to ask myself how I could best continue to serve the people of this state I love. After much thought and prayer, Carole and I have determined that while serving as your Governor has been the privilege of a lifetime, I must take my fight for the people of Florida to the United States Senate.

Our country is facing the most profound public policy questions of my lifetime – questions relating to the economy, taxes, the role and size of government, healthcare, and national security. How these questions are answered will have a lasting impact on the nation we love.

My common sense conservative approach to government has provided real results for the people of Florida, and I believe can help right the ship in Washington. You have trusted me to fight for the people of Florida for nearly two decades. As a State Senator, as Education Commissioner, Attorney General and most recently as your Governor, I have worked to protect the quality of life for families and businesses here in the Sunshine State.

Throughout my career, protecting Floridians has been my top priority. I have fought to keep criminals off the streets and away from our children.

In the State Senate, I fought for legislation that requires criminals to serve 85 percent of their sentences, as Attorney General I led the fight against criminals who prey upon our children establishing Florida’s cybercrime unit, and then in my first months as Governor, signed legislation that requires brutal felony offenders who violate probation to go back to jail where they belong.

Education has also been a top priority for me. We’ve seen Florida’s excellence in education continue to increase with Florida earning a top-ten ranking in education last year. We’ve also fought to strengthen Florida’s families and as a result, we have seen a record increase in adoptions in Florida. And I’ve continued to support your Second Amendment rights, including signing a bill to protect your right to safely take your gun to work.

Finally, we’ve cut taxes in an historic way, standing on conservative values of keeping taxes low for families and business by passing the largest tax cut in our state’s history. 

I am honored to have the support of Republican leaders such as U.S.
Senators Lamar Alexander, John Cornyn, Mitch McConnell, Mel Martinez, John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and my friend and mentor former U.S. Senator Connie Mack.

I hope you will join our campaign, as you have so many times before.

Visit online today at http://www.CharlieCrist.com to join as a volunteer and contributor to our cause. Your contribution of any amount will help us continue our fight for less taxes, less spending, less government and more freedom, and your contribution made today will count toward the important first quarter of fundraising.

Thank you for your support! God bless you, the great state of Florida, and the United States of America.

Bill McCollum

It seems that this Gubernatorial Election is going to be one to watch. The Florida Democratic Party released something today as Breaking News: Bill McCollum Announces Campaign Theme Song.  However it was just a horrible attempt at humor.  Below is the message:

———————–
Given Attorney General Bill McCollum’s light work schedule (As the Palm Beach Post reported Florida attorney general’s schedule shows part-time workload), we thought he might appreciate a little music to get started this Monday morning…

“10-to-2” (Sung to the Tune of Dolly Parton’s 9-5)

Tumble outta bed
And stumble to the kitchen

Pour myself a cup of ambition
Yawnin’, stretchin’, try to come to life

Jump in the shower
And the blood starts pumpin’

Out on the streets
The rush hour’s endin’

For folks like me on the job from 10 to 2

Chorus:

Workin’ 10 to 2
What a way to make a livin’
Barely gettin’ through
All my AG’s opinions
It’s just such a grind
And all I’m lookin’ for is credit
It’s enough to drive me
Crazy if I let it!

10 to 2,

So I had another notion
That, well, maybe I
Could just win a fair promotion
Want to move ahead

‘Cause the governor’s office beckons
I swear THAT guy works even LESS, I reckon’!
Mmmmm…

That’s my dream
To move up that ladder

It’s my fourteenth campaign
But what’s that matter?
I’ve got a dream that just won’t go away

On a political track
That just won’t end
Waitin’ for the day
My ship’ll come in
And the tides gonna turn
An it’s all gonna roll my way

2nd chorus:

Workin’ 10 to 2
What a way to make a livin’
Barely gettin’ through
All my AG’s opinions
It’s just such a grind
And all I’m lookin’ for is credit
It’s enough to drive me
Crazy if I let it!

10 to 2, might knock off at 1 if I can do
After givin’ out

A no-bid contract or two
It’s a politicians’ game
No matter what they call it
And I’ve spent my life
Campaignin’ ‘cause I want it!

3rd chorus:

Workin 10 to 2
What a way to make a livin’
Runnin’ fourteen times
It’s all hand-shakin’
And fund-raisin’

Yeah I’ve lost two times
Okay, so there – I admit it
It’s enough to drive me
Crazy if I let it!

Fade:

10 to 2, might knock off at 1 if I can do
After givin’ out
A no-bid contract or two
It’s a politicians’ game
No matter what they call it
And I’ve spent my life
Campaignin’ ‘cause I want it!
————————————————-
In my numerous attempts to contact McCollum’s campaign for statements regarding issues they have yet to contact Central Florida Politics at all.  So I have stopped trying to obtain an official statement.