Florida GOP hawks Charlie Crist painting on eBay

The oil painting of Crist was originally commissioned and purchased by a private donor for the GOP party headquarters located in Tallahassee. Party officials say they paid $7,500 for the Crist portrait and a painting of former Republican Party of Florida Chairman James A. Greer.

Turns out the only reason the expense for the painting came to light was because the artist, Havana artist D. Arthur McBride, contacted the party earlier this year demanding payment for her services. 

Pay no mind to the hypocrisy of party officials who regularly waste hundreds of thousands of dollars for lavish meals, private jets, stretch limo services, etc., and argue that the wining and dining (bribery) is a necessary fundraising investment (bribe) to get wealthy donors to open their wallets. ... Like spending thousands of dollars at exotic L.A. sex clubs.

"That painting cost Republican Party of Florida donors $7,500," said spokeswoman Katie Gordon. "It certainly seemed like a lavish expense and we'd like to recoup some of the cost." [WAPO]

But a portrait, a portrait, is tough to justify ... So, in an effort to shame Charlie Crist and paint him as an opportunist, the GOP took the high road and posted his painting on eBay with a starting bid of $6,000. 

From eBay:

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!

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 hand-picked chairman.

The childishness of this obvious political retribution cannot be underscored. The GOP is an embarrassment to America and American politics.

Side note: The portrait also happens to be the focus of a potential federal probe into financial misappropriations by the Florida GOP. Shocking.

We don't expect that the eBay page will be up forever, so in order to archive this despicable example of GOP insolence, you can view a screen grab of the page here ... And, no, we haven't make a single edit - We don't need to Photoshop anything when it comes to the GOP.