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Republican Bosses Join E-Mail Fray

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By WILLIAM MARCH

wmarch@tampatrib.com

Published: February 12, 2009

TAMPA - Hillsborough County Republican Party official Carol Carter, who resigned last week over an e-mail some considered racially offensive, is getting support from a high-level party official in an attempt to keep her post.

State party Vice Chairman Allen Cox is trying to drum up support statewide for Carter, who on Wednesday sought to rescind her resignation as Hillsborough County's state committeewoman.

State party Chairman Jim Greer, however, said on Wednesday that he considers Carter's resignation final, raising the possibility it could generate a high-level battle in the party.

In an e-mail Monday to party activists in Florida, Cox says, "We know Carol to be a person of integrity without any prejudice, and to characterize her otherwise is slander." He asks them to e-mail or call Carter and urge her not to resign.

As the county's state committeewoman, a volunteer slot, Carter is one of three representatives from Hillsborough on the governing body of the Republican Party of Florida.

She resigned last week after it became known she had forwarded to friends in the party an e-mail asking why black people were able to travel to Washington for Barack Obama's inauguration but unable to evacuate New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.

"Amazing," states the subject line. "I'm confused. How can 2,000,000 blacks get into Washington, DC in 1 day in sub zero temps when 200,000 couldn't get out of New Orleans in 85 degree temps with four days notice?"

On Wednesday, Carter sent Greer an e-mail seeking to rescind her resignation.

In that e-mail, Carter said today, she acknowledges she "was wrong to have shared that material. I was insensitive to potential perceptions I was perpetuating by my actions, and I've asked all whom I've offended for their forgiveness."

She also said that if she remains in the post, she will advocate cultural sensitivity training for all party officials and participate herself.

Carter contends the resignation isn't official until she sends a letter to the county supervisor of elections. The state committeewoman post is an elected position, voted on by Republicans in party primaries.

Late Wednesday, Greer said in a written statement that he believes that is wrong. "The resignation stands, and the office is hereby declared vacant," he says.

Cox, in his e-mail, seeks support for Carter from party leaders including former party Chairman Carole Jean Jordan, a longtime friend of Carter's; Sharon Day, a delegate from Florida to the Republican National Committee; state Rep. Jennifer Carroll, the only black Republican in the state Legislature; and Deon Long, head of Florida's Federation of Black Republican Clubs.

Long said he supports Carter. "The e-mail wasn't offensive. She's beating herself over something I think is a nonfactor."

Carter said other black GOP leaders, plus Day and Jordan, have called her to express support, and that Carroll has contacted Greer on her behalf.

Day, Jordan, Carroll and Cox could not be reached Wednesday.

County party Chairman Debbie Cox-Roush accepted Carter's resignation last week but said on Wednesday that she has no authority over the issue and that the state party will make the decision.

Reporter William March can be reached at (813) 259-7761.

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