Following Gov. Charlie Crist’s departure from the Repulican party to run for the Senate as an independent, the Republican Party of Florida put his signed portrait on eBay . The portrait had been acquired by party executive director Delmar Johnson who paid for this and another portrait of ousted chairman Jim Greer using party funds. (He commissioned the latter, then commissioned one of himself.) Greer is now under federal investigation.
Described as a fine quality oil painting, it has a starting price of $750 — a fraction of its original price. The ad takes pot shots at Crist’s ideological flexibility, including accusing Crist of undermining the party’s “public stature and financial stability.”
★Depending upon variety of conditions, the stretch canvas may periodically lose and regain tautness, much like Charlie Crist periodically loosens or regains positions on a variety of issues.
★Ornate gold frame made of manufactured wood, similar to the fabricated conservative values of the politician depicted within.
Estimated Value – PRICELESS!
(originally commissioned and purchased by the Crist/Greer RPOF administration)
A twin painting is known to exist. Also produced and purchased by the Crist/Greer Administration, this second painting depicts former Republican Party of Florida Chairman James A. Greer, Charlie Crist’s close personal friend and twice hand-picked leader of the Florida GOP. The combined value of both pieces is thought to be priceless, given that together Charlie Crist and Jim Greer aided in the swift demise of the Republican Party of Florida’s public stature and financial security.
The Miami Herald reported earlier in April that the portrait had been discovered when the artist called to claim payment:
The cost to the party would have been even higher if former executive director Delmar Johnson had his way. Johnson appears to have been the point man for the portraits and commissioned one for himself. But Johnson, who inked a hush-hush party fundraising contract for himself and Greer, was ultimately fired this January before the party could pick up the tab for his oil portrait and a few giclée prints.
The expense might have slipped by had not Havana artist D. Arthur McBride called the party early this year, looking for her money. By then, Johnson was gone. And there was no desire to use party funds for this.
