Say Hello To Mel Martinez, Our New RNC Target

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Bush Taps Florida Senator to Chair RNC

Wednesday November 15, 2006 1:31 AM



By LIZ SIDOTI

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush tapped Florida Sen. Mel Martinez, a prominent Hispanic who served in the Cabinet, to assume the high-profile post of Republican National Committee general chairman.

One week after heavy midterm losses, Martinez said Tuesday he would strive to foster ``a tone of civility'' for the party as it faces the challenge of a wide-open presidential race in 2008 and a push to recapture control of Congress.

Martinez, 60, will remain in the Senate when he takes the reins of the RNC in January. The first-term senator will be the face of the party, focusing on fundraising, outreach and travel to promote the GOP agenda.

``He's going to be an excellent spokesman for our party,'' Bush said in announcing his support for Martinez in an Oval Office meeting with reporters.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6214875,00.html



House Of Cards
What exactly did Mel Martinez accomplish at HUD
http://www.nhi.org/online/issues/135/martinez.html

Martinez's hurricane relief plan draws fire
Critics compare the Senate candidate's proposal to a similar plan in New York that has been criticized by housing advocates.
http://www.sptimes.com/2004/10/11/State/Martinez_s_hurricane_.shtml

Counsel to GOP Senator Wrote Memo On Schiavo that described the Terri Schiavo case as "a great political issue" that would excite "the pro-life base" and be a "tough issue for Democrats,"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A32554-2005Apr6?language=printer
http://mediamatters.org/rd?http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Schiavo/story?id=600937&page=1

I actually opposed trial lawyers before I supported them:
He's Mel Martinez, former secretary of housing and urban development -- and a millionaire trial lawyer.
http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/index.html?blog=/politics/war_room/2004/09/01/martinez/index.html

HUD Secretary Admitted "Bias" Against Bush Critics
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0610/S00024.htm

Mel Martinez, cast a deciding vote in favor of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/03/18/Opinion/Thanks_a_lot__Sen_Mar.shtml

more?



http://journals.democraticunderground.com/bigtree

[Anakin Skywalker]

1. SMELLY MELLY!

You suck!

[Patchuli]

3. No big surprise...* picks another booger

for an important job.

[Eric J in MN]

2. He's not up for re-election until 2010. (NT)

NT

[Malikshah]

4. A hateful, nasty piece of business he is too. Just lovely.

Incompetent is as incompetent does.

[Mika]

5. He was also fully embedded in the Elian Gonzalez (hostage) case

Google
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=Elian+Gonzalez+%2BMel+Martinez&btnG=Search



http://www.nndb.com/people/085/000060902/

Martinez was President of the Florida Academy of Trial Lawyers in the 1980s, and he was Chairman of Florida's Orange County when he took 6-year-old Cuban refugee Elian Gonzalez on a well-publicized trip to Disney World. Running for Senate in 2004, a Martinez memo referred to Janet Reno's federal agents who seized the boy to return him his father as "armed thugs".

[whistle]

6. He keeps looking more and more like a mafia boss/hitman

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7. DNC: GOP Needs Real Change, Not Just New Chairman to Fix Anti- Hispanic Agenda

11/14/2006 7:21:00 PM

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=76340k

Contact: Karen Finney or Damien LaVera, 202-863-8148; both of the DNC

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Following is a release from the Democratic National Committee:

Last week, Hispanic voters overwhelmingly rejected the GOP's failed agenda and divisive electoral strategies. Despite all their talk about reaching out to Hispanic voters, Bush Republicans have relentlessly pushed a radical, divisive agenda that has undermined opportunities for Hispanic families and scapegoated immigrants to win elections.

Now, by choosing a loyal Bush Republican like Florida Senator Mel Martinez as the next Chair of the Republican National Committee, Washington Republicans are telling Hispanic voters that they can expect more of the same from Washington Republicans. After all, Senator Martinez has been a loyal rubberstamp for President Bush's agenda, no matter how devastating it has been for the Hispanic community. And, when in came to his own comprehensive immigration reform amendment, Martinez couldn't even muster the political power to keep his colleagues from blocking real reform or stop them from using immigrants as scapegoats for political gain.

"Last week, Hispanic voters went to the polls and demanded a new direction for America because they have had enough of the Bush Republicans in Washington," said Democratic National Committee spokesman Luis Miranda. "From lower family income and an increasing number of families who lack health insurance, to voter suppression tactics and leaders who incite fear and division to win elections, the Hispanic community has paid a heavy price for the Republican Party's failed leadership. Now, by selecting a failed leader and loyal Bush Republican like Senator Martinez to chair the RNC, Republicans are signaling their commitment to stay the course with their failed, discredited agenda.

"Republicans don't need a new messenger; they need a new agenda, one that puts working families first and rejects the shameful tactics employed in last week's elections. Democrats are committed to providing that leadership and expanding opportunities for all our families."


more on Martinez record: http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=76340




http://journals.democraticunderground.com/bigtree

[bigtree]

8. DNC: Martinez Means More Of The Same From Bush Republicans

11/14/2006 8:00:00 PM

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=76342

Contact: Karen Finney or Damien Lavera, 202-863-8148; both of the DNC

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Following is a release from the Democratic National Committee:

Just days after the American people went to the polls and demanded a new direction for America, the Bush Republicans in Washington continue to stay the course with their failed, discredited agenda. While the voters sent a clear and decisive message last Tuesday by electing strong Democratic leaders who pledged the put the interests of the American people first, media reports indicate that Florida Republican Senator Mel Martinez, a chief proponent of the GOP's failed agenda, has been selected to replace Ken Mehlman as the new Republican National Committee chairman.

Whether it has been opposing increases in the minimum wage, blindly supporting the president's full-speed-ahead approach to the war in Iraq, opposing stem cell research, or rejecting efforts to help low-income families become homeowners, Senator Martinez has consistently stood with the president - and against the American people.

"Last Tuesday, the American people went to the polls and rejected the failed Bush Republican agenda," said Democratic National Committee Communications Director Karen Finney. "Instead of hearing that message, Republicans stayed the course by selecting a loyal Bush Republican to lead their party. By choosing Senator Martinez to lead their party, the GOP sent a message to the American people that they didn't hear their concerns last week. We also hope that Senator Martinez will reject the tactics of the Southern strategy that we saw being employed in last week's election."

Mel Means More of the Same: http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=76342



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