By James Call
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-884659.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Gov. Charlie Crist and Attorney General Bill McCollum tried in different ways Tuesday to quell growing criticism about how the Republican Party of Florida spends money. The party's two top elected officials are trying to avoid what could become an expensive fight in an election year.
Both Crist and McCollum are running for higher office, and McCollum's opponent for the gubernatorial nomination is making the party's credit cards a campaign issue. Published reports indicate tens of thousands of dollars were spent on perks like expensive dinners and charter jets. Gubernatorial candidate Paula Dockery wants the credit card statements released, and Governor Crist says that's a good idea.
"Transparency is always good. I've always felt that way. I didn't have one of those credit cards, for the record."
Attorney General Bill McCollum, however, says the party's spending practices are a private matter. He favors an internal audit and says the decision to release the statements will be made by the party's chair.
"Disclosure is an issue within the political party itself, just like it would be a private corporation. They're not a public entity, and there are laws that do apply to them under the state laws, and so they should comply with those."
The spending dispute cost the party chairman and executive director their jobs. The Republicans will elect a new chair February 20th.