Florida GOP puts Crist portrait on eBay

John Thrasher, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF), is helping recoup money the party gave to Gov. Charlie Crist in an interesting way.

Thrasher put a privately commissioned oil painting of Crist, who backed out of the state's Republican Senate primary last week to run as an Independent, up for auction on eBay.

So far, 39 bids have been made on the item and the auction price has climbed to $750 from a starting price of $1 this morning.

The item is described as an effort to "Help the Republican Party of FL Get Our Money Back!"

The painting was reportedly bought by the administration of former RPOF Chairman Jim Greer, who was handpicked by Crist to run the party.

Greer resigned in January over a spending scandal at the party, which is now under investigation.

Adam Smith of the St. Petersburg Times, first noticed the item.

Here is more from the description:

Privately Commissioned, High Quality, One of a Kind, Genuine Oil Painting on Fine Linen Canvas

★Canvas is naturally sensitive to changes of temperature and humidity, just as the Charlie Crist’s political convictions are subject to fluctuations in poll numbers.

★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)

And also:

Original cost of commissioning was borne by Republican Party of Florida donors who donated their time, talents, and hard-earned money to support an untrustworthy politician and his handpicked chairman.