Several members of the Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC) attended the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) annual meeting January 8th and 9th.  With factors such as the recently announced resignation of RPOF Chair Jim Greer, the growth of the RLC, the emergence of Tea Party movements and the influence of the “We Surround Them” (912) groups, we had high hopes for a new direction for the RPOF.

New opportunities were opened as a result of the anger and energy of these activist groups, and the RPOF state committee recognized this with a resolution to encourage county executive committees to reach out to “Tea Party people.”  This would have given the RPOF a solid boost heading into the 2010 elections.  But they failed to understand that those “Tea Party people” want principled leadership and bottom-up representation, not the party-first top-down mentality currently in place.

At the annual meeting, the RPOF leadership demonstrated that they still don’t get it.  Chairman Greer received a standing ovation from party leadership when he exclaimed at the conclusion of his speech, “It’s about the party, party, party”. The cries heard at a Tea Party or grassroots function, however, are for “principles, principles, principles.”

Rank-and-file Republicans are clearly angry over the unprecedented growth of the federal government in 2009.  They are also disgusted at our Governor Charlie Crist’s display of support for Obama’s stimulus package. Yet, when Crist addressed the RPOF at the meeting, he stated that “Florida needs to get her fair share,” and added that he would “not apologize for supporting the stimulus.” Such a statement would be met with scorn from the majority of voters of the Republican Party and Tea Party attendees, but was met with a standing ovation by party leadership.

The first person to speak on policy was Jeff Kottkamp, candidate for Attorney General. Kottkamp did not talk about reducing the size and scope of government, cutting spending, or removing regulations and encouraging free enterprise.  Instead, he focused his remarks on expanding the Defense and Space industries in Florida.  Grassroots Republicans are pleading for leadership that understands the core issues of fiscal responsibility and limiting the size and scope of government, but RPOF leadership offers only promises to protect special interests.

Most discouraging of all, however, was the apparent coronation of Senator John Thrasher to replace Jim Greer as Chair of the RPOF. In much the same fashion Jim Greer was chosen, the word is that Thrasher had been chosen before the conference call announcing Greer’s resignation had even ended. Many in leadership have rallied around Thrasher because of his ability to raise large sums of money, something the RPOF is in need of. What the RPOF needs more than money, however, is to discover its principles and to get candidates who truly understand those principles elected to office.

A Sign of Hope

In spite of the leadership’s general disconnect with the grassroots, there was a significant sign of hope.  There appears to be some serious resistance to the leadership-led coronation of John Thrasher as the new RPOF Chair. Sharon Day, who currently serves as national committeewoman for Florida, stated that she too is running for RPOF Chair in the election that will take place at the February 20th special meeting in Orlando. “I’m running to give the RPOF members a choice, because there should always be a choice,” Day said when she addressed the state committee Saturday morning.

The RLC applauds those in the RPOF that are supporting the courage of Sharon Day and others that seek to offer a voice to the rank-and-file Republicans. We hope that more in party leadership will stand against the top-down approach taken by many in the RPOF.

-Republican Liberty Caucus Leadership

RE: Republican Party Purge

Mr. Beck,

We are writing to tell you about a systematic purge that is occurring, the stifling of free speech and the removal of certain voices of dissent from the Republican Party of Florida.

In recent months there has been a concentrated effort to remove American patriots that are calling for accountability among the Republican Party of Florida leadership, specifically,  Florida Republican Chairman Jim Greer.

The Republican Liberty Caucus (www.RLC.org)  is a group of Republicans working within the Republican Party to return the party to its conservative roots. We believe that we must stand up for individual liberties, limited government and fiscal responsibility. We fight for these principles without regard to party affiliation and with the same vigor and passion exemplified in our Founding Fathers. We believe that if we don’t, we will continue to lose our liberties one by one.

For this principled stand we have been singled out to be purged from party leadership. Several official grievances, against Republican Liberty Caucus men and women were filed in July 2009 with the Republican Party of Florida.

The specific “charges” against Republican Liberty Caucus State Chairman Will Pitts and Northeast Florida Chairman John Stevens include:

1. Attended a Pro-America Rally in Minneapolis hosted by the Campaign for Liberty and wore a “Ron Paul” button on their 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 especially 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.

The Republican Party of Florida is basing their complaints and the ensuing expulsion on the new wording of the Loyalty Oath that is required to be signed by all party leadership within the State.

The last part of this oath reads:

“I further swear and affirm that I will not engage in activities or conduct that may be deemed by the Grievance Committee and affirmed by the RPOF Chairman as likely to injure the name of the Republican Party or interfere with the activities of the Republican Party.”

Many of us attended the Grievance hearing, in which these men and women had to defend their patriotism and ‘loyalty to the party”, not the country or it’s Constitution, or even the principles of The Party but to “The Party” itself.

These men, who have fought for the Republican Party, and its core principles in a way that few will ever know, had to ‘prove’ they had not injured the Party, as determined by grievance board member that were specifically appointed by Chairman Greer.

It is interesting to note that the original grievance complaint against John Stevens and Will Pitts sent to Jim Greer was written by someone (William Blythe) that has never met either of these men let alone address his grievance with them. Mr. Blythe also did not see fit to even attend the grievance hearing to defend his complaint.

It is also of value to note that grievances against Republican Liberty Caucus members were filed in several counties around Florida at the same time, which lends credibility to this being a systematic “party purge”.

It is our wish that you will investigate this matter further and make this purging a public matter.

This is the price we are paying in Florida for being independent thinkers and standing up for the cause of liberty.

Fighting for Liberty,

Kristi Dunn

Mskristidun@aol.com

Kimberly Wells

kimberly@silverwebdesigns.net

Erik Setzer

rlcsrcibe@gmail.com

Savannah Poole

Savvy7s@aol.com

And over 75 other Patriots fighting for liberty around the country

Additional Links and information:

About the Party Purge:

http://rlcnews.org/?p

http://www.rlc.org/2009/07/10/stjohns-gop-bullies/

http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2009/09/boss-greer-accused-of-party-purges/comments/page/2/#comments

http://www.rlc.org/2009/07/15/floridas-gop-purge-intensifies/

http://www.rlc.org/2009/07/10/gop-chair-removes-long/

More about the Republican Liberty Caucus:

http://www.rlcnef.org/liberty-guide/

(2009-07-17)

TALLAHASSEE, FL (wfsu) – The Grand Old Party is struggling to regain its footing after the 2008 election, but all is not well within the Republican Party of Florida. Hearings will be held in late July to review the membership of approximately half a dozen committeemen who seem to be at odds with state chairman Jim Greer and the party line. Gina Jordan spoke with Greer as well as some of the men who will be on the hot seat. © Copyright 2009, wfsu

To read this story and listen to the audio, visit:

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wfsu/news.newsmain/article/0/0/1531439/Capital.News/Florida%27s.Republican.Divide