Florida Governor Charlie Crist who has gone from presumptive loser in the Republican primary to go-along-to-get-along candidate in the race for US Senate has given the voters another glimpse of his character this week. After his refusal months ago to return money to Republican donors who requested refunds when he abandoned their party, Mr. Crist has agreed to refund $9,600 in campaign contributions from an indicted political ally who needs the money for his legal fees.

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Former state GOP Chairman Jim Greer asked that his contribution be returned in a letter to Mr. Crist which read in part, "As you know circumstances have caused me to need money to defend myself and take care of my family. I know sending the money back is hard, but with what has happened it may be politically beneficial for you to do." What has happened is that Mr. Greer, who the governor put in charge of the state party's organization in 2006, is facing six felony charges including organized fraud and money laundering. Authorities allege he used a secret fundraising contract to funnel party donations to a consulting firm he owned. (source)

Initially Mr. Crist disputed the August 5 letter's authenticity but Mr. Greer faxed copies of it to media organizations on Sunday forcing Mr. Crist to choose between two potentially damaging options - keep the donation from an infamous and indicted political ally or agree to refund the cash even though he had refused to give requested refunds to law-abiding GOP donors. On Monday he opted to return the donation to Mr. Greer. (source)

Reaction from those in Mr. Crist's former party was swift and decisive:

• From the campaign of presumptive Republican nominee Marco Rubio: "It should surprise no one that despite refusing to return a single penny to Floridians who gave to him in good faith, Charlie Crist wasted no time in refunding money to his indicted political confidante.
  
  
• From the Executive director of the Florida GOP Ronnie Whitaker, "[The refund is] astonishing given Governor Crist's blatant and often contemptuous refusal to refund the contributions of thousands of hardworking Floridians who contributed to his campaign in good faith."
  
  
• From the National Republican Senatorial Committee's spokeswoman Amber Marchand, "It certainly says a lot about Charlie Crist's character and complete lack of principle that he would refuse to return donations from Floridians who donated to his candidacy when he was a Republican, but he's more than willing to make an exception and fork over the contributions in order to help his indicted crony and hand-picked chairman Jim Greer." (source)

Will this latest glimpse at the character of Governor Charlie Crist have an affect on Florida voters? Stay tuned!