Someone Plays a Gay Joke on Charlie Crist

A mystery seller has placed an oil painting of Florida governor and Senate hopeful Charlie Crist (pictured with wife Carole Rome) on eBay, with a description of Crist that places him among a list of closeted politicians.

"Have you ever taken over a non-profit organization only to be left with huge AMEX bills and ugly portraits of the folks that looted the place?" the ad reads, according to the Los Angeles Times. "Well, we've got some debt to pay down and unwanted 'art.'

"Scott Rothstein commissioned this beautiful, GIMP crafted, artist signed, original portrait of Florida Governor and US Senate hopeful Charlie Crist. This classic work captures the essence of Crist and will complete your portrait collection of political heroes like Larry Craig, Jim McGreevey, Mark Foley, and Bob Allen!"

The painting has had over 50 bids as of Sunday, and the price is up to over $1,000. The seller's name is listed as florida_gop, though the state's Republican Party has disavowed the sale. Florida party officials actually plan on placing a painting of Crist on eBay on Monday, but they claim that the current one listed is not theirs -- Crist recently left the Republican Party to run for the Senate as an independent.

Katie Betta, a spokeswoman for the state party, told the L.A. Times that the language in the current ad is "inappropriate." Rumors of homosexuality have followed Crist for years.

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