Analysis: Martinez departure part of GOP split - Capitol Hill- msnbc.com Senator's resignation closes latest chapter in effort to woo Hispanic voters
MIAMI - Florida Sen. Mel Martinez's resignation closes the latest chapter in the Republican Party's tumultuous, decade-long effort to woo the nation's Hispanic voters.
The Cuban-American's impending departure could leave no Hispanic Republicans in the Senate and three in the House ? compared to 21 Democrats in Congress ? and a sense that the national GOP is at a major crossroads with the nation's fastest-growing demographic group.
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SoWal InsiderAuthor
Mel Martinez leaves legacy of a quitter -- OrlandoSentinel.com Mel Martinez leaves legacy of a quitter
Scott Maxwell
August 12, 2009
My daughter was practicing her violin last week and getting frustrated.
Her bow was wobbling off the A string, occasionally scratching the high-pitched E. And "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" was a bit flat.
She sounded exactly like what she is ? a 9-year-old who's just learning. And to her dad, it sounded perfect.
But Cameron knew better. And she didn't like it. Not one bit.
Finally, she dropped her bow and burst into tears. "Daddy, I want to quit!"
I empathized and embraced her, the way daddies always do with teary-eyed little girls. But I also told her that she was going to finish her lessons through the fall.
"Why?" she asked.
"Because," I said, "kids who quit when they are little can grow up to be quitters when they are adults. And people don't respect quitters."
Which brings us to Mel Martinez.
I like Mel and have admired some of his stances and positions. But his decision to abandon his U.S. Senate seat before his term is up will help cement his legacy ? as a quitter.
He didn't complete his first term as Orange County mayor. He didn't serve throughout George W. Bush's tenure as housing secretary. And he resigned from leading the Republican National Committee after less than a year.
He had differing reasons each time. And I think many people accepted ? and even encouraged ? those moves when they thought Martinez was making them so that he could better fulfill his vision of public service.
But not this time.
Voters entrusted Martinez with a sacred duty when they elected him.
The term was for six years. There was never any question about that.
And abandoning a solemn oath to serve ? for any reason other than personal emergencies, which Martinez has said are not at play ? simply does not live up to that oath.
Especially when the result means Florida voters will soon have a senator they had nothing to do with selecting.
Scott Maxwell
August 12, 2009
My daughter was practicing her violin last week and getting frustrated.
Her bow was wobbling off the A string, occasionally scratching the high-pitched E. And "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" was a bit flat.
She sounded exactly like what she is ? a 9-year-old who's just learning. And to her dad, it sounded perfect.
But Cameron knew better. And she didn't like it. Not one bit.
Finally, she dropped her bow and burst into tears. "Daddy, I want to quit!"
I empathized and embraced her, the way daddies always do with teary-eyed little girls. But I also told her that she was going to finish her lessons through the fall.
"Why?" she asked.
"Because," I said, "kids who quit when they are little can grow up to be quitters when they are adults. And people don't respect quitters."
Which brings us to Mel Martinez.
I like Mel and have admired some of his stances and positions. But his decision to abandon his U.S. Senate seat before his term is up will help cement his legacy ? as a quitter.
He didn't complete his first term as Orange County mayor. He didn't serve throughout George W. Bush's tenure as housing secretary. And he resigned from leading the Republican National Committee after less than a year.
He had differing reasons each time. And I think many people accepted ? and even encouraged ? those moves when they thought Martinez was making them so that he could better fulfill his vision of public service.
But not this time.
Voters entrusted Martinez with a sacred duty when they elected him.
The term was for six years. There was never any question about that.
And abandoning a solemn oath to serve ? for any reason other than personal emergencies, which Martinez has said are not at play ? simply does not live up to that oath.
Especially when the result means Florida voters will soon have a senator they had nothing to do with selecting.
SoWal InsiderAuthor
now defend martinez knee jerkers
Beach Fanatic
I don't have anything to add. I just wanted to come say hi and check on you since you've been here in this Martinez thread for a few days talking to yourself...
There's a good Reagan thread that could use your help. C'mon over...
There's a good Reagan thread that could use your help. C'mon over...
SoWal InsiderAuthor
i find it funny that one of our senators resigns for no reason other than to kick back and no one bats an eye. martinez's retirement checks should come from the rnc
Beach Fanatic
i find it funny that one of our senators resigns for no reason other than to kick back and no one bats an eye. martinez's retirement checks should come from the rnc
From what I have heard, you're going to see in the coming days, maybe weeks, the reason and for a few hints here goes:
You will be helping to pay for his paycheck.
It is political but not in the legislative branch sort of way.
He will be working in the state's capitol, but not capitol building.
He will be busy on weekends.
Meow
From what I have heard, you're going to see in the coming days, maybe weeks, the reason and for a few hints here goes:
You will be helping to pay for his paycheck.
It is political but not in the legislative branch sort of way.
He will be working in the state's capitol, but not capitol building.
He will be busy on weekends.
Does he need an assistant?
SoWal InsiderAuthor
From what I have heard, you're going to see in the coming days, maybe weeks, the reason and for a few hints here goes:
You will be helping to pay for his paycheck.
It is political but not in the legislative branch sort of way.
He will be working in the state's capitol, but not capitol building.
He will be busy on weekends.
lobbyist weasel?
Beach Fanatic
Does he need an assistant?
He will have plenty of assistants, some of them very specialized.
lobbyist weasel?
Not a registered one, but he will likely spend a large amount of time lobbying and fundraising for his organization.
Beach Fanatic
From what I have heard, you're going to see in the coming days, maybe weeks, the reason and for a few hints here goes:
You will be helping to pay for his paycheck.
It is political but not in the legislative branch sort of way.
He will be working in the state's capitol, but not capitol building.
He will be busy on weekends.
He will have plenty of assistants, some of them very specialized.
Not a registered one, but he will likely spend a large amount of time lobbying and fundraising for his organization.
WAIT - I thought Jimbo Fischer was the "head-coach-in-waiting" at FSU? How did Senator Martinez sneak in and get the job?
Meow
He will have plenty of assistants, some of them very specialized.
Not a registered one, but he will likely spend a large amount of time lobbying and fundraising for his organization.
Okay...does he need a gofer?
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