Democrats are marveling at the lack of clout of Sen. Mel Martinez, President Bush's hand-picked man at the top of the Republican National Committee.
At a briefing with reporters last week leaders at NDN, formerly the New Democrat Network, said Martinez's list of failures is growing: He failed to win passage of the president's immigration bill, has overseen a slide in support for Republicans from Hispanics, and can't even persuade his own state Republican legislature and governor to delay Florida's primary to adhere to party rules.
Martinez was tapped less than a year ago to head the RNC, but his name rarely shows up on e-mails and mailings from the RNC, and questions are mounting among both Republicans and Democrats about his effectiveness as chairman.
Just last month Martinez attacked the two top Republican presidential candidates, Rudolph W. Giuliani and Mitt Romney, for opposing and mischaracterizing the Senate bill. But even on that, he stands at odds with his own party. Just two weeks earlier, the RNC had voted to embrace an enforcement-first strategy toward handling illegal immigration -- a policy much closer to Giuliani and Romney than it is to the president.
Apparently questions are also growing in Florida about his effectiveness as senator. He is up for re-election next year and a new Quinnipiac University Poll finds he has a 38 percent job approval rating, a full 12 points below Florida's other senator, Bill Nelson, a Democrat. The poll shows Martinez' support took a tumble earlier this year, about the time the immigration debate was taking place.
-- Stephen Dinan, national political reporter, The Washington Times
UPDATE 9/12/2007: The original version of the blog contained an error. Martinez will be up for re-election in 2010.
Comments (22)
Martinez is not only a RINO but redefines the GOP to Gutless Obsequious Panderers! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to interpret his constituent's views on Amnesty and Illegal Immigration. Hopefully Florida will replace this bozo with someone that has their interests at heart instead of the lobbyists and the special interest groups that have bought and paid this moron's allegiance!
Posted by sgtmajorbrad | September 11, 2007 3:40 PM
I totally agree with sgtmajorbrad. I live in FL and he will NOT win relection. I could not believe they picked him for RNC Chairman. As a conservative Republican, it is a sinking feeling watching this party make suicidal decisions like Martinez at the helm. They do not listen to us in the "heartland".
Posted by stuart | September 12, 2007 6:41 AM
Martinez was hand-picked only to shove the Bush's immigration bill down the congress's and republican 'faithful's throat. What disturbs me more what this portends for the future of the republican paty; they voted him in to the job when clearly another path was more desirable. The rebublican leadership still haven't learned the basic lesson requiring the need for intillectual honesty.
Posted by travelinbob | September 12, 2007 7:57 AM
The story that led me here calls him "Amnesty" Mel! I prefer "dry foot" Mel. As he has been steadfast in his support of Illegal Latino immigrants over the legal citizens who trusted him enough to vote him into office. He is showing his gratitude and repaying the USA for its kindness in allowing him to be protected,educated,and sheltered from Uncle Fidel with it's "wet foot/dry foot policy for Cubano's ONLY that make it out of the water to the beach. He should never have been elected any higher than Dade County Commisioner! Where he has a large "base" of supporters!
Posted by minitruck | September 12, 2007 1:22 PM
When Martinez ran for the Senate in 2004, he stated that he was not in favor of amnesty, indeed, he was for border security and greater enforcement of immigration laws.
However, as soon as he was elected, he took down his campaign web site which had contained the above. He is a panderer. But then, he's a lawyer, so what can we expect. To them, nothing is ever black or white, but open to interpretation. He's the Republican version of the definer of "what the meaning of is 'is'".
Posted by Pine Knot | September 12, 2007 1:26 PM
I have been trying to get Sell-Out Mel Martinez axed for a year now. I have emailed him on countless occasions for him to rethink his vote on S#1348 and S#1639. He does not listen to WE THE PEOPLE. He is part of the tearing down of America and he now sits in a higher place. I want him out and a new Senator like Casey Weldon or Ms. Wait in there. I want a person who will listen to The People of Florida and not for the purpose of endangering our Great State as I once knew it to be. Illegal Immigrants are everywhere now and are starting to take over our State also. When does it end? When will they quit taking our jobs? I'll tell you when. When the laws are enforced and they go back to either Cuba, if here illegally, or Mexico. Mel Martinez I am afraid, is not right for a job, especially in Congress not too mention Our Senator. I want him out of Congress and his job replaced by a REAL AMERICAN!
Posted by David Biggs | September 12, 2007 1:31 PM
martinez is a loser and a disgrace to the republican party I can't wait to next election.Florida needs a new republican senator.it's to bad we have to put up with this jerk until 2010 unless he does the honorable thing and resigns.I don't think so because he has very little honor if any.I hope he has experience at picking crops because that's about all he's good for.
Posted by John J Perkins | September 12, 2007 1:45 PM
I received a call from the RNC the other evening asking for a contribution. I told the woman that I will give no money to the RNC until Mel Martinez is gone. I am a Conservative Republican from Florida and, unfortunately, voted for Mel last time, but never again! We will work to defeat him in Florida!!! With a friend like him, who needs enemies?
Posted by Grammypam | September 12, 2007 1:50 PM
It's time to get a conservative in the senate to replace Mel Martinez. He rarely listens to anyone particularly about illegal immigration and his liberal stance on amnesty.
Posted by Dick Pambrun | September 12, 2007 1:55 PM
Do we Have to wait till 2010? seems like hes been there forever.
Posted by Fernando Hernandez | September 12, 2007 1:56 PM
Unfortunately I live in Mel's district in Florida. I made the mistake of trusting him, and I voted for him. It will not happen again. He is an embarassment to the republican party, but then so is Bush. These two guys are ruining the GOP. I hope the people of Florida can wake up long enough to see what is happening with this immigration and amnesty business.
Posted by daveej | September 12, 2007 2:00 PM
I TOO LIVE IN FLORIDA, AND NOT JUST MEL MARTINEZ' BETRAYAL TO HIS CONSTITUENTS FOR TRYING TO JAM THAT "SHAMNESTY BILL" DOWN OUR THROATS..ITS HIGH TIME WE LOOK AT NOT JUST MEL, BUT SEN.BILL NELSONWHO IS NO ANGEL IN THIS..IM TIRED OUR ABOVE THE LAW ELECTED OFFICIALS NOT LISTENING TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS..AS SOON AS THEY GET IN OFFICE, THEY WOULDNT RETURN YOUR PHONE CALLS UNLESS YOUR LAST NAME IS HALIBUTON OR BOEING..I FOR ONE WILL NOT FORGET WHEN ELECTION TIME COMES FOR TREATING US AS IF WERE UNINFORMED AND DONT KNOW ANY BETTER...THEY'LL SOON LEARN VOTERS IN FLORIDA ARE "EJUKATED" AN WE DONT FORGET
Posted by valparasio fl | September 12, 2007 2:18 PM
Again mel votes for his mexican amigos and takes the side of illegals over America and her LEGAL citizens!
Posted by Graham Brown | September 12, 2007 2:26 PM
I can not believe you would not support Amendment (Dorgan Amdt. No. 2797 ) .. What are you thinking?? I guess you are not looking to get re-elected in 2010 are you???????
Posted by R chartier | September 12, 2007 2:32 PM
Sen. Martinez is completely out of touch with his constituents and the rest of the country on immigration. I have signed an on-line recall petition and hope that it works to get rid of one who would put his ethnic or business interests above that of our security and sovereignty. With "leadership" like his and W's, both their Party and their country are seriously at risk!
Posted by Pat Smith | September 12, 2007 2:37 PM
Yeah, he doesn't seem to care about the people he represents. And he apparently thinks we are stupid that we won't remember his amnesty bill. That's okay, I have a big mouth and will remind everyone when I call in talk radio next year when he's running for re-election.
Posted by Nicole Weeks | September 12, 2007 2:56 PM
I am a Cuban-born LEGAL immigrant and my wife is also a foreign-born immigrant. We celebrat legal and systainable immigration. We despise the ILLEGAL ALIEN INVASION that satisfies the greed for cheap docile third-world aliens of open-borders domestic profiteers and trans-national mercatilists that employs them. Illegal Aliens do not give large campaign contributions nor can they VOTE legally. So who are the elected representatives who push for Amnesty doing it for? Bozos like Mel Martinez and the Ho's in the Senate (specially) that have not once but twice given their all to give AMNESTY (in the Bush administration) to the illegals employed by their political contributors deserve being booted out of office. I invite all patriotic Americans who are sicked by Mel Martinez pandering to cheap labor profiteers and the illegal aliens they employ to do as I do - DEFEAT MEL MARTINEZ. Secure the Borders, No Amnesty, No Guest Worker Shamnesty - Protect American Citizens and their Jobs
Posted by Tony Dolz | September 12, 2007 3:41 PM
I to am discusted with mellow mel and his imagration stance. many times i have writen ,faxed or emailed him.not once has he bothered to respond.this man is a traitor to the people of florida and the rest of the country.I for one will spread the word at reelection time.If he is so tied to his latino friends and the president lets send them both back to mexico let them run that country maybe they can do a better job then there el presentday.fla will remember.ps bill nelson is no better. ken trumpower sept 13
Posted by ken trumpower | September 13, 2007 8:18 AM
I never did like Martinez and never voted for him. This sly nincompoop focuses on State issues in an attempt to hide his true national agenda.
Martinez spent time in Texas with then Governor George Bush. He supports Bush 100%. That is why Bush appointed him to head the RNC.
If you have ever emailed Martinez through his web site, what you get back for an answer is nothing more than a form letter which does not fully answer complaints or questions. It is apparent that he does not personally answer his mail but pushes it off on his staff with pre-approved general answers.
He does not really care what his constituents think. There is no question that he is a real jerk and does not concern himself with real conservative values.
This jerk needs to go ASAP!
Posted by Joe Puig | September 13, 2007 2:17 PM
Martinez and Bush(W) are partners all the way. Both of them forgot about the U.S. Citizens that elected them into office. Once they got in they both turned on us and bit us like snakes. The only thing that matters to them is their own personal agendas i.e. putting us in a war to avenge daddy's name or allowing our borders to be penetrated by drug lords. In my eyes they are worthless to the American public and should be treated like the bums that they are.
Posted by Roadrat | September 13, 2007 4:38 PM
I just hope and pray that 2010 won't be too late.
It dosen't take years to push unwanted things through our crooked government.
Posted by Diane Burkland | September 13, 2007 11:17 PM
Neither of our Florida Senators are worth a hoot.
Posted by Joe Pauig | September 14, 2007 3:23 PM