Sen. Mel Martinez of Fla. won't seek re-election

**Terri** · #1 12-03-2008, 08:17 AM

By BRENDAN FARRINGTON and MARK WANGRIN
Associated Press
December 3, 2008

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida, who has struggled to boost public support because of his close ties to President George W. Bush, announced Tuesday he will not seek a second term in 2010, saying he wants to spend more time with his family.

The Republican pushed an immigration reform bill that was unpopular with many in his party, and his seat was widely seen as vulnerable in two years. However, Martinez rejected suggestions he faced difficult re-election prospects in a state won last month by Democrat Barack Obama.

"I've faced much tougher obstacles in my life," Martinez said. "My decision is not based on re-election prospects, but on what I want to do with the next eight years of my life."

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Oregon Al · #2 12-03-2008, 04:48 PM

Goodbye, Mel! George W is going out with you, so he won't miss you. Thankfully you resigned from the RNC, so they won't miss you. But what about your ally, John McCain? What other "loyal Republican" is going to side with him on amnesty this time? He'll miss you. Too bad he isn't going out with you also.

MISSL · #3 12-03-2008, 04:56 PM

Yeah Mel, good bye and good riddance. Now we might get a true Republican Senator from FL

RiverKing · #4 12-03-2008, 05:35 PM

And another RINO bites the dust! Too bad (not).

Now is the time for you Floridians to be finding a good CONSERVATIVE Republican to run for this seat in 2010. Is Jeb Bush interested? available? No? Draft him anyway. Or find someone else in his mold.

**Terri** · #5 12-03-2008, 05:48 PM

Yes, Jeb Bush is interested.

Here's his article in the Wall Street Journal supporting the last immigration bill which he claims wasn't amnesty.

Quote:

A Good Immigration Bill

By JEB BUSH AND KEN MEHLMAN

Immigration reform is very tough. It's an issue that divides both political parties and, on the right, has led many close personal and ideological friends -- people we respect and whose criticism we take seriously -- to oppose new rules governing how people enter this country and how we handle those who are here illegally. But we hope our friends reconsider.

We support the immigration reform compromise worked out in the Senate for a few simple reasons. It strengthens our national defense. It makes our economy more competitive and flexible. It enhances the rule of law and promotes national unity. And it also does these things in a fair, practical way.

Here's what the bill does not do. It does not grant amnesty to the 12 million illegal immigrants already in the country and nor does it give a free pass to others who want to enter the country illegally.

KatyJ · #6 12-03-2008, 07:44 PM

I like Jeb Bush as a candidate for Senator. He performed a great job here in the State of Florida. He wasn't afraid to use his handy dandy veto pen.

RiverKing · #7 12-03-2008, 08:22 PM

I claim ignorance, Terri, and trying to get discussion going on a successor to Martinez. If Jeb is no smarter on immigration than his brother AND is politically in bed with Ken Mehlman, that's two strikes against him in my book. On the other hand, he would still be better than Martinez or any Democrat/Socialist (or is that Socialist/Democrat or ... ?).

candles · #8 12-03-2008, 08:57 PM

Good bye, Mel Martinez, hopefully Jeb Bush will decide to go after this position. He was well like by the people of Florida.

**Terri** · #9 12-03-2008, 10:44 PM

The Bush/Mehlman column that I posted was written in support of the last amnesty bill that many of us fought so hard to defeat.

At some point I think conservatives need to decide what they want. Do they want moderates like George and Jeb Bush who stand up for amnesty or do they want conservatives who support closing the borders?

Gumbi · #10 12-04-2008, 01:46 AM

Quote:

U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida, who has struggled to boost public support because of his close ties to President George W. Bush,

Just what I would expect from a couple of hokey AP journalists. President Bush had nothing to do with Senator Martinez standing. Mel isn't popular because he was too busy helping Mike Duncan with the RNC chairmanship and was pro-amnesty.

One thing I will say is that whenever you write, fax or e-mail Senator Martinez you will get a response, unlike his Democratic counterpart, Senator Bill Nelson. Nelson's office do not respond to letters, faxes or e-mails and they are rude when called. In fact, they don't even take your zip code so when you call you know they aren't keeping track of what his constituents communicate.