2 GOP members rescind Crist endorsement

After a long season of bad news, Gov. Charlie Crist on Tuesday got what may be the worst signs of trouble so far for his U.S. Senate campaign.

Two Miami congressmen, brothers Mario and Lincoln Diaz-Balart, withdrew their endorsement of Crist, an unusual political move, refusing even to say why.

At the same time, the battle against state Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer, a Crist ally, reached a crescendo.

Party officials successfully demanded a meeting in early January at which scores of party activists will seek a vote to remove Greer as chairman.

At the same time, a leading party donor and fundraiser, developer Al Hoffman of Bonita Springs, threatened a refusal of major party donors to support the party financially unless Greer leaves office.

Hoffman and party Vice Chairman Allen Cox, a leader in the battle against Greer, both denied their move has anything to do with the Senate primary, in which Crist faces an unexpectedly strong challenge from former state House Speaker Marco Rubio of Miami. Hoffman said he still supports Crist.

Their concern with Greer "is all about the money - it's not about Crist vs. Rubio," said Cox of Port St. Joe, who circulated a letter seeking a special meeting of the party's governing body next month for a vote on rescinding Greer's election as chairman.

They contend Greer has financially mismanaged the party, a charge Greer says is inaccurate.

Rubio backers have no love for Greer, who they say has sought to have the party back Crist in the primary.

"Jim Greer is part of the same story" about the Crist campaign, said former U.S. Rep. Lou Frey, R-Winter Park, who is not involved in the primary but remains active in GOP politics. "How Charlie Crist's people are received is a reflection directly on Charlie Crist."

'Crist is in trouble'

Frey said the Diaz-Balarts' withdrawal of their endorsement is a clear sign of weakness for Crist.

"It's an extreme move," he said. "That tells you the sharks are circling.

"If you endorse somebody and then later decide you don't like them, you usually just keep quiet about it - but going public like this is like hitting them with a dead fish."

Other experts were more cautious.

"I wouldn't use the word 'crumbling,' but it's a sign that Crist is in trouble," said University of Central Florida political scientist Aubrey Jewett, noting that Crist maintains a huge financial advantage over Rubio.

The Diaz-Balarts, who are of Cuban descent and represent heavily Cuban sections of Miami-Dade County, are among the strongest congressional advocates of a hard line toward the Castro regime.

Rubio is also the son of Cuban refugees.

There's no indication, however, that Cuba policy motivated their decision.

A spokeswoman for Mario Diaz-Balart refused to comment on the reasons for the change, but referred to an Associated Press story quoting him as saying Crist "left them no choice," and they don't plan to endorse Rubio.

She had no comment on a story by the Miami Herald that speculated on another possible reason for withdrawing support.

The newspaper reported that Crist had declined to appoint a candidate favored by Lincoln Diaz-Balart for a judgeship in Gadsden County, instead appointing the first black female judge in the largely black county west of Tallahassee.

In a statement, Crist campaign spokeswoman Andrea Saul said only, "Gov. Crist is enthused by the support he continues to receive across the state for next year's primary. He looks forward to working with the Diaz-Balarts and the entire congressional delegation to better the lives of Floridians as Florida's next U.S. senator."

Saul also repeated an earlier quote from Crist concerning Greer, saying, "I fully support Jim Greer as chairman of the party and think he's the right guy to ensure Republican victories across the board in 2010."

Cox said more than 70 members of the Republican state executive committee signed his letter seeking a special meeting in early January - only 30, he said, would be enough to compel a meeting.

Greer agreed Tuesday to hold the meeting, but contended that party bylaws don't allow a vote on removing a party officer.

In a statement to executive committee members Monday night, Greer called the movement against him "treason ... for the sake of personal ambition," and linked the movement to the primary campaign.

"What I do not enjoy is the support of one of the Republican primary campaigns for the United States Senate," he said. "I will not let the efforts of one campaign deter me from the mission I accepted" when elected party chairman.

He said he will "absolutely not" resign.

Greer has removed Cox from chairmanship of the party budget committee, alleging that Cox leaked party financial information to reporters, a charge Cox denies.

Greer also removed Tony DiMatteo of Pinellas County, a Rubio supporter, as chairman of the party grievance committee. Greer said DiMatteo, who signed Cox's letter, could not be fair in judging a grievance filed against Cox over the leaks.

Party support is split

In the past week or so, party activists have exchanged blizzards of e-mail messages and phone calls, some castigating Greer and some allegedly threatening those who criticize him.

"I've been inundated with e-mails for him and against him," including a request to join Hoffman's group, said Tampa developer Al Austin, also a major party fundraiser. Austin said he's staying neutral in the fight.

Cox and Hoffman contend that Greer has spent party money heavily for staff and travel, while party fundraising to support the budget declined.

As a result, they contend, Greer had the party dip into the Republican legislative campaign funds to cover party administrative expenses. Those funds are intended to help GOP legislative candidates.

Cox said Crist has promised incoming legislative leaders he will raise enough money to cover the debt, but Hoffman said he doesn't see how Crist could do that while also raising money for his Senate campaign.