NRSC mocks Crist in letter, wants its money back

In a letter to Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (I) dated Monday, the National Republican Senatorial Committee asked the candidate for Senate to return the money it donated to his campaign when he was still running as a Republican.

The NRSC gave $10,000 to Crist's campaign last summer.  

The committee's executive director, Rob Jesmer, mocked Crist in the letter, writing, "I am so pleased to learn about your latest flip flop yesterday regarding the return of contributions upon request. After months of refusing to return donations from hardworking voters and others who supported your candidacy while you were a Republican, you told CNN’s Ed Henry yesterday, 'We'll give it [campaign contributions] back to people who had asked for it.' " 

Jesmer goes on to tie Crist to indicted former Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer. Earlier this month, Crist returned the $10,000 Greer donated to his Senate campaign after the former party chairman asked for the money back. 

Jesmer notes that his letter marks the committee's second request for their funds back.

"I’m writing you today to let you know that we will gladly take you up on your latest offer — please consider this letter yet a second official request that you return all contributions from the NRSC and from the Republican Senate leadership," Jesmer continued. "After you switched your position on health care, the stimulus, off-shore drilling, and a number of other critical issues facing the state of Florida, this may actually be one flip flop that that we can support."

The Crist campaign also received $40,000 from the PACs of other Republican senators, including $10,000 each from the committees of Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). 

-Updated at 5:17 p.m.