While Democrats and media pundits denigrate any thought of the Republican Party suing Gov. Charlie Crist over hundreds of thousands of dollars in party-paid travel expenses, at least one GOP strategist sees potential upsides, legally and politically.
"Charlie Crist clearly appears to have benefited from having (former party chairman) Jim Greer pick up the tab for trips they took for his U.S. Senate campaign. The lawsuit may be the only way for the voters to find out the truth," said Randy Nielsen, a veteran Republican campaign consultant from West Palm Beach.
"Even though Crist claims he didnt have a credit card, he had something even better -- a close friend who owed him everything with a card," said Nielsen, of Public Concepts LLC.
Legal action in the wake of a still-to-be-released audit of the party's books could be perceived as blatant politicking timed for maximum electoral impact as GOP turncoat Crist runs for the U.S. Senate against Republican Marco Rubio and Democrat Kendrick Meek.
Media outlets and Democrats sympathetic to Crist have taken that tack, while resurrecting stories about Rubio's use of party credit cards.
"Does the phrase 'cutting off the nose to spite the face' come to mind?" mused University of Florida political science professor Daniel Smith.
"Not only is this possible lawsuit on flimsy legal grounds, it is political suicide for the Republican Party of Florida. The continuing RPOF internecine battle is completely lost on Florida voters, and it will be spun by Democrats -- as well as Charlie Crist -- as further evidence that the Republican Party has been wasteful, incompetent and out of touch.
"How this lawsuit would be beneficial politically for Republicans completely escapes me. It will remind voters of the questionable financial activities of RPOF leaders, including Marco Rubio and the incoming Senate president (Mike Haridopolos) and the speaker of the House (Dean Cannon)," Smith said.
Even some GOP-leaning tea party activists with no love for Crist question the advisability of a lawsuit, even if it is for payment of ill-gotten reimbursements.
"Most -- including me -- will think it's driven by the desire to harm Crist's campaign," said Tom Tillison, an Orlando tea party leader.
But, Tillison added, "As for suing a politician because he spent too much, now that's a trend I'd like to see catch on."
RPOF Chairman John Thrasher told Sunshine State News Monday afternoon that the party is taking "a hard look" at its legal options, and could make a decision within 10 days.
"We could seek recovery or do something else. We're getting a lot of feedback from members," Thrasher said.
Asked about RPOF claims against him, the ever-glib Crist took a nonchalant attitude.
I dont even know what theyre talking about," he told reporters over the weekend.
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Contact Kenric Ward at kward@sunshinestatenews.com or (772) 801-5341.
