UPDATE: Confirmed. But Jim Greer will be unable to invoke Rule 11 - typically used to protect the party from fringe candidates - because National Committeewoman Sharon Day - a strong Crist supporter in the past) says she won't sign it: "It's meant to be used very cautiously to protect the party,'' said Day, surprised about the "firestorm" that has erupted. "We have a process and it allows the voters to choose the candidate - and that's called a primary."

Meanwhile, some activists are none too happy about the RPOF trying to shut down a senate primary. "The Republicans I represent in Hillsborough County should have the right to choose the candidates that they believe in and want to work for. Prior to the primary there should be no endorsement," said Hillsborough Republican Chairman Deborah Cox Roush.

Pinellas State Committeeman (and Rubio backer) Tony DiMatteo: "To try to impose rule 11 on a former Speaker of the House of Representatives - a Hispanic American, at a time when we're trying to reach out to Hispanics and African-Americans and diversify - is beyond outrageous. "

State GOP Chairman Greer says it's much ado about nothing. "Rule 11 was a procedural matter that was logical because of the already official support that Charlie Crist has received, from the majority leader to the Senatorial Committee that has all the resources,'' Greer said."I hope at some poiunt in time Sharon will join the leaders of her party so there's no question."

Original post: Lots of angry Buzz out there today about the state GOP supposedly working to shut out Marco Rubio from any party support. It's based on "Rule 11" of the GOP, which would allow the national party to focus its resources on a single candidate - in this case Charlie Crist - and shut out Marco Rubio.

While I caution that I have not received calls back from the key officers and therefore do not have this confirmed yet, the chatter among a bunch of local party activists is that Greer is trying to get National Committee members Paul Senft and Sharon Day to have the party unite behind Crist for senate.

...Developing