Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida Petitions Republican Party of Florida Chairman Greer to Rescind Sanctions
December 12, 2009
Late summer ruling from Jim Greer removed several RLCFL
Board members from leadership positions within the RPoF
ORLANDO, FL — The Florida chapter of the Republican Liberty Caucus recently held a statewide meeting during which the general membership passed a resolution condemning recent grievance actions taken by Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer. Greer’s ruling, which is not subject to appeal, resulted in three members of the Board of Directors of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Florida, including Chairman Will Pitts, being removed from leadership positions within the Republican Party of Florida. Among Pitts’ alleged sins – criticizing RPoF leadership for supporting U.S. Senator John McCain for President, attending Ron Paul’s Rally for the Republic in Minneapolis during the RNC Convention and wearing a Barry Goldwater button.
Vice Chairwoman Kimberly Wells of the Republican Liberty Caucus of Northeast Florida (RLCNEF) explained the ruling from September: “The Republican Party of Florida unjustly purged a number of fellow Republican Liberty Caucus members due to their outspoken criticism and call for accountability within the Republican Party of Florida.”
“It doesn’t get any more ridiculous than this,” said Pitts. Chairman Pitts was stunned by the ruling because he, in particular, had no leadership position within any RPoF county executive committee and believed the entire situation was a dog and pony show that would “go away,” Pitts stated, referring to his post-hearing private conversation with Grievance Committee Chair, Tony DeMatteo.
“The RPoF unjustly punished me and other members of the RLCFL for our libertarian views and criticism of party leadership during the 2008 elections cycle,” said John Stevens, Chairman of the RLC’s Northeast Florida Region.
The Ruling from Chairman Greer came after a long battle to silence any dissent within the Republican Party of Florida with the onset of the 2010 elections cycle. “You engaged in disruptive conduct likely to interfere with the activities of the Republican Party,” Greer stated in a letter to each of those sanctioned.
“This resolution is important because it lets grassroots activists know there are still people in the Republican Party who are standing firm on principles,” said Stevens. The RLCFL chose to send a strong message to Jim Greer and the Republican Party’s Leadership. “The Republican Liberty Caucus is not backing down in its fight for accountability of our elected officials in accordance with the U.S. Constitution,” said Stevens.
An official statement released on the RLC website by Chairman Pitts states:
“As much as I dislike what the Party apparatus has done to discredit [me and] personally attack others and myself, I realize that we must stay the course and fight the good fight. Those few in power in the party would like nothing more than for us to leave and take the others that are upsetting their good ole boy corrupt system with us. We will not give them that satisfaction. As a result, I have decided to continue my fight to restore the original principles within the Republican Party in spite of the daunting long road ahead.”
The Republican Liberty Caucus encourages all conservatives to contact RNC Chairman Michael Steele, RNC Secretary and Florida Committeewoman Sharon Day, and Florida RNC Committeeman Paul Senft, Jr. to ask that they implore Chairman Greer to rescind the sanctions against not only the board members of the RLCFL but also against all other victims of the August grievance hearings.
The Republican Liberty Caucus (http://www.RLC.org/), founded in 1991, promotes individual liberty, limited government, and free enterprise. Members consider themselves libertarian Republicans who want all Republicans and all citizens to understand how far elected officials have drifted from Constitutional principles and take action to defeat those who disrespect the Constitution.