Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer Resigns

Greer's resignation, which takes effect Feb. 20, represents a major setback for Gov. Charlie Crist, who had vigorously defended the chairman but on Tuesday abruptly endorsed state Sen. John Thrasher, R-Jacksonville, as the party's new leader.

(...) While saying he is not a "purist," Greer said there has been a ''very vocal" faction in the party that have " distorted facts" about party spending and Greer's role in Republican elections.

" They simply have two goals in mind, and if the first one fails, then fall back to the second one," Greer said. " And the first one is remove me as chairman, and if that doesn't work, burn the house down and try and destroy the Republican Party."

Greer said he was stepping down because it was apparent his conservative critics - who were planning to remove the chairman in a vote this weekend in Orlando - would not relent in their efforts.

" I cannot be a participant in the shredding and tearing of the fabric of the Republican Party," Greer said.