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Martinez's supporters start to bail out, poll finds
Orlando Sentinel ^ | July 21, 2007 | Tamara Lytle

Posted on 07/21/2007 4:02:11 PM PDT by Baladas

WASHINGTON - These are tough times for Mel Martinez.

In the past month, the Republican U.S. senator from Orlando has seen the collapse of an immigration-reform bill he helped craft. As chairman of the Republican National Committee, he has struggled to defend an unpopular president and an increasingly unpopular war, even as party fundraising lags.

And now a new Quinnipiac University poll shows him plunging to new lows in his home state. Indeed, more Florida voters -- 38 percent -- said they disapproved of Martinez's performance than the 36 percent who said they approved of it.

It's clear that fallout from the war and immigration reform is doing damage. As Republicans begin recruiting candidates to run for office next year, the party's public-approval ratings are plummeting. Worse, so is their fundraising.

In most years, the RNC and its senatorial and congressional committees enjoy a big fundraising edge over their Democratic counterparts. In the first five months of this year, though, the GOP committees have collected $75.8 million -- compared with $73.3 million raised by Democrats.

(Excerpt) Read more at orlandosentinel.com ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: illegalimmigration; melmartinez; polls; quislings; rnc; sellouts; vampirebill
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He won't have to run again until 2010, but I want Mel Martinez gone yesterday as GOP chairman.
1 posted on 07/21/2007 4:02:13 PM PDT by Baladas
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To: Baladas

The party’s fund raising is slipping because it keeps stabbing its base in the back and the heart.

I pity the fools who gave $70-some million.


2 posted on 07/21/2007 4:04:04 PM PDT by abercrombie_guy_38
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To: Baladas
If I remember correctly, some FL FReepers have a web site that demands Martinez’s recall. This guy deserves to go. His behavior on the shamnesty bill was shameful; even recently, he made disparaging comments about conservatives who opposed that travesty.

Good news BUMP

3 posted on 07/21/2007 4:05:15 PM PDT by indcons (I support Mitt's 5th position on abortion, 8th position on gun rights, and 7th position on amnesty.)
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To: Baladas

More fallout from the Amnesty Bill.


4 posted on 07/21/2007 4:05:23 PM PDT by Retired Chemist
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To: abercrombie_guy_38
The party’s fund raising is slipping because it keeps stabbing its base in the back and the heart.

And, might I add, this is why the GOP got their butts handed to them in the '06 Elections.
5 posted on 07/21/2007 4:07:16 PM PDT by no dems (If there is no pressure, there is no change.)
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To: Retired Chemist


6 posted on 07/21/2007 4:08:59 PM PDT by Diogenesis (Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum)
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To: indcons; All

http://www.recallmel.com


7 posted on 07/21/2007 4:16:02 PM PDT by dynachrome (Henry Bowman is right.)
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To: Baladas
heh heh heh

Ole Mel hasn't seen anything yet.

8 posted on 07/21/2007 4:16:21 PM PDT by WorkerbeeCitizen (An American Patriot and an anti-Islam kind of fellow. (POI))
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To: Baladas

That is a predictable result for an affirmative action hire. He should never have been put in charge of the GOP.


9 posted on 07/21/2007 4:21:43 PM PDT by kittymyrib
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To: Baladas
Even the hard-left “Slantinel Star” had to admit that this guy is a major league loser.
10 posted on 07/21/2007 4:25:05 PM PDT by vetsvette (Bring Him Back)
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To: indcons
fyi www.recallmartinez.org

We're hip deep in illegals here between Tampa and Orlando. If there's a hit and run traffic accident with fatalities it's most likely a drunk, illegal Mexican. They don't need car insurance here, just a good pair of running shoes. One advantage is that if I want a third world experience, I don't need a passport. All I have to do is go to the local Wal-Mart.

11 posted on 07/21/2007 4:26:57 PM PDT by tbpiper
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To: Baladas
"He won't have to run again until 2010, but I want Mel Martinez gone yesterday as GOP chairman."

I am 100% in agreement with you! Mel Martines was just another of those really stupid mistakes by the GWB Administration.

12 posted on 07/21/2007 4:31:38 PM PDT by TommyDale (Never forget the Republicans who voted for illegal immigrant amnesty in 2007!)
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To: Retired Chemist

The voters in Nevada need to dump their elected traitor, Reid, and the morons in Massachusetts all need psychiatric help for keeping the Swimmer in office. He’s a national joke and disgrace. Of course, California, tops the list with three morons, Pelosi, Boxer, and Feinstein. Let’s not forget Murtha, the ultimate disgraceful traitor.

Has there ever been a time in American history when we’ve had so many morons and traitors in office? I can’t think of one.


13 posted on 07/21/2007 4:39:44 PM PDT by ExTexasRedhead
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To: Baladas

Dear Mel,

“...be sure your sin shall find ye out.”
Numbers 32:23, KJV


14 posted on 07/21/2007 4:43:24 PM PDT by VOA
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To: abercrombie_guy_38
I pity the fools who gave $70-some million.

Well, pity the well-intended ones.
But I suspect a fair number, especially the big-spenders, were
(intent on) buying "comprehensive immigration reform" and stay on
good terms with all their current illegal immigrant employees.

And then just laugh as they imported a new generation of CHEAP illegal
immigrant labor before the NEXT AMNESTY in maybe 2027.
15 posted on 07/21/2007 4:47:20 PM PDT by VOA
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To: Baladas

“In the past month, the Republican U.S. senator from Orlando has seen the collapse of an immigration-reform bill he helped craft. As chairman of the Republican National Committee, he has struggled to defend an unpopular president and an increasingly unpopular war, even as party fundraising lags.”

ALL LIES!!! I can sum up why mel and the RNC have the base so mad... two words... AMNESTY, ARROGANCE!

LLS


16 posted on 07/21/2007 4:53:58 PM PDT by LibLieSlayer (Support America, Kill terrorists, Destroy dims!)
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To: Baladas
No queremos Mel, no mas. Usted es un RINO. "Hasta la vista muchacho!"

5.56mm

17 posted on 07/21/2007 4:56:20 PM PDT by M Kehoe
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To: indcons; dynachrome
It is unfortunate but the time and effort put into a web site or petition drive calling for a recall of a U.S. Rep. or a U.S. Sen. is futile if the sole purpose is to "actually" recall.

The United States Constitution expressly establishes the exclusive qualifications for congressional office, sets the specific length of terms for Members of the House and for Senators, and places the authority within each House of Congress to judge the elections and qualifications of, and to discipline and remove, its own Members. These provisions of the United States Constitution, with respect to federal officials, have supremacy over State laws and provisions, and State laws in conflict with such constitutional provisions have been found by the courts in the past to be invalid. Although the language of some State recall laws might be broad enough to include Members of Congress, or might even explicitly include such federal officers, such statutes would not appear to be effective in overriding the provisions of the United States Constitution with regard to terms of office, elections and removal of Members.

As to removal by recall, the United States Constitution does not provide for nor authorize the recall of United States officers such as Senators, Representatives, or the President or Vice President, and thus no Member of Congress has ever been recalled in the history of the United States. The recall of Members was considered during the time of the drafting of the federal Constitution in 1787, but no such provisions were included in the final version sent to the States for ratification, and the specific drafting and ratifying debates indicate an express understanding of the Framers and ratifiers that no right or power to recall a Senator or Representative from the United States Congress exists under the Constitution. Although the Supreme Court has not needed to directly address the subject of recall of Members of Congress, other Supreme Court decisions, as well as the weight of other judicial and administrative decisions, rulings and opinions, indicate that the right to remove a Member of Congress before the expiration of his or her constitutionally established term of office is one which resides exclusively in each House of Congress as established in the expulsion clause of the United States Constitution.

18 posted on 07/21/2007 5:03:02 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: Baladas; Joe Brower

roger that

clang


19 posted on 07/21/2007 5:03:07 PM PDT by shove_it
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To: kittymyrib

He was GWs’ man from the gitgo. The prez stabbed Katherine Harris in the back to get Melly elected. This after she carry the water for him in 2000. What goes around comes around.


20 posted on 07/21/2007 5:04:19 PM PDT by ontap (Just another backstabbing conservative)
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To: Red_Devil 232

“futile if the sole purpose is to “actually” recall.”
But, I felt better after signing the petition. ;)


21 posted on 07/21/2007 5:05:32 PM PDT by dynachrome (Henry Bowman is right.)
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To: Baladas
The MSM's analysis is only partly right. Conservatives are abandoning the RNC in droves and they won't give money until Mel Martinez is gone.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

22 posted on 07/21/2007 5:07:54 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: Baladas

The republicans made a serious miscalculation when they tried to ram illegal immigration down the our throats. Fund raising has all but died and they are in panic mode. The only hope they have of resurecting the party from the dead is to find a “true conservative” in the mold of Ronald Raegan (Fred Thompson?). This party is being taught a serious lesson...... that if you cross us, we will bury you. We will bury you by staying home in 2008. Don’t ever do something like this to us again, you got it?

Jarhead


23 posted on 07/21/2007 5:12:42 PM PDT by Buffettfan (3rd Battalion, 6th Marines - 1971 - 1974)
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To: Baladas

Recall this cucuracha.

http://www.recallmel.com/ms.html


24 posted on 07/21/2007 5:15:37 PM PDT by Buffettfan (3rd Battalion, 6th Marines - 1971 - 1974)
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To: dynachrome
I would feel “very” good after signing a petition for his removal as RNC Chair and if I could vote for a Conservative Republican opponent in the next Fla. Primary.
25 posted on 07/21/2007 5:16:25 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: Baladas
They say his approval sunk because of amnesty and the war, spend the whole piece attributing it to the war, and conveniently overlook he had 48% even with the war BEFORE he tried to ram amnesty down our throats.

It's the Amnesty stupid! Unbelievable...

"Voters will want to side with someone with national clout."

That's why John McCain is the front runner. LOL

Mel got elected because Jeb was very popular and knew that state's backyard better than anyone, and he ran during a presidential year that went Bush's way.

He won't have Jeb's popularity in 2010. He'll have to win it on his own, even without amnesty I had my doubts he could do it. He wasn't a strong choice, but Bush wanted him to be the candidate so he was. Now? He's finished.

26 posted on 07/21/2007 5:18:38 PM PDT by Soul Seeker (MR. BUSH: GET OUT OF REAGAN'S HOUSE!!)
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To: Baladas
Martinez is your typical establishment Republican.

The GOP could have made big inroads by selecting Steele as the chairman.

27 posted on 07/21/2007 5:26:53 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
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To: Buffettfan
"We will bury you by staying home in 2008"

The self-annointed "true conservatives" haven't figured out yet that their vote counts only half as much as the independents.

The "true conservative" withholds his vote from the GOP by staying home, causing the GOP to lose one vote. The independent doesn't stay home, he votes for the democrats, causing the GOP to lose two votes.

The same principle applies to campaign donations.

28 posted on 07/21/2007 5:28:48 PM PDT by Ben Ficklin
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To: Baladas

Oh I don’t know. Do you suppose it could have something to do with calling the people who contribute to the RNC a bunch of ignorant racists?


29 posted on 07/21/2007 5:30:52 PM PDT by McGavin999 ("Hard is not Hopeless" General Petraeus)
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To: Baladas
Mel just like a true Mexican politician you thought this was Cuba, Mexico or maybe Venezuela where the ignorant poor would just happily follow along like sheep because you deem yourself to be a great big Senator in Washington D.C.

You and your RINO friends climbed up on the Capitol and urinated in the face of your base.

You like so many Hispanic politicians in many third world countries (I know )South of this border, thought that by shaming the base you could pull the wool over their eyes.

When we the base told you we did not like what was happening in the halls and Back Rooms of government you and your minions called us IGNORANT, ARROGANT, RACISTS boobs.

Don’t ask me for my annual contribution because buddy boy I just might be to damn ignorant to know how to write the frigging check.

The more I think about what you, Gramnesty, Murdering Ted, Michael Jerktoff and McCaniac tried to pull on this beloved country of America, I just get madder than hell.

Speaking of hell thats just where you and the other RINO’s can take your stupid hypocritical butts.

Hey ole buddy, this is just a lowly opinion by a red state wannabe.

30 posted on 07/21/2007 5:33:20 PM PDT by OKIEDOC (Kalifornia, a red state wannabe. I don't take Ex Lax I just read the New York Times.)
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To: Baladas

Count me in the Don’t Approve group.


31 posted on 07/21/2007 5:37:37 PM PDT by jch10
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To: Ben Ficklin
The self-annointed "true conservatives" haven't figured out yet that their vote counts only half as much as the independents.

The self-appointed hall monitors of the RNC establishment haven't figured out yet, and apparently are incapable of figuring out, that their party owes its allegiance to the people who elect their candidates, and not the other way around. You're acting like a bunch of radical activist "change agents," shoving a bunch of BS internationalism down the throats of people who treasure their country and their Constitution. You've really screwed the pooch, here. I don't see you recovering your former support in time for 2008, and this loss of support is directly attributable to the actions of Republican officeholders, from the president on down to Congress.

Blaming the voters for not voting for people who spit in their faces is rather illogical, if you can bring yourself to actually think about it. It seems you cannot do so, and instead repeat ad infinitam the same old, same old. The problem was, at one point, rather easily remedied ... vote the way your voters expected you to vote. Now? You made this bed. Lie in it. Idiots.

32 posted on 07/21/2007 5:50:16 PM PDT by RegulatorCountry
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To: RegulatorCountry
While you are threatening to withhold campaign contributions from the GOP, business, industry and investors are shifting their contributions to the dems.

How many times does Tancredo have to call the Cubans "turd-worlders" before they switch their money and votes to the dems?

33 posted on 07/21/2007 6:02:43 PM PDT by Ben Ficklin
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To: ontap
“W” didn’t stab Katy in the back over Mel,
he abandoned her when she ran against Nelson.

That’s another thing “W” did that pi$$ed me off.
The list is constantly growing now....dang him

34 posted on 07/21/2007 6:04:42 PM PDT by ThreePuttinDude ()...temporarily out of service ....()
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To: M Kehoe

amen


35 posted on 07/21/2007 6:07:00 PM PDT by OKIEDOC (Kalifornia, a red state wannabe. I don't take Ex Lax I just read the New York Times.)
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To: ThreePuttinDude

Maybe I’m wrong but I thought that in 2004 they talked her out of running so Martinez could with the promise they would support her against Nelson and then back stabbed her.


36 posted on 07/21/2007 6:09:20 PM PDT by ontap (Just another backstabbing conservative)
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To: Ben Ficklin

Here we go again: “Ooooh, Democrats!!! Oooga-booga BOO!!!”

This is hardly an effective strategy, when Republicans are themselves largely indistinguishable from Democrats, with a few notable exceptions, primarily in the House of Representatives. As far as Tancredo, you’re really grasping, to claim that he was speaking of Cubans in south Florida, with his ill-considered comment made while visiting Miami. And, ill-considered as it was, you’re the one bandying this “turd-worlder” nastiness around. Tancredo has already been tinfoiled, pretty successfully, by you guys, back during the previous immigration brou-ha-ha. Why don’t you just stick to slandering Ron Paul, another fine Constitutionalist that the establishment types find threatening for some odd reason? It’s not as if either of them stand a chance of attaining the presidency. They have, however, been successful in shifting terms of debate. Is that what’s put a bee in your collective bonnets up there?


37 posted on 07/21/2007 6:11:39 PM PDT by RegulatorCountry
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To: Ben Ficklin

The Cubans may not vote Republican, they certainly will not vote Democrat.


38 posted on 07/21/2007 6:12:32 PM PDT by ontap (Just another backstabbing conservative)
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To: ontap

There was a lot of talk in ‘04, but she was going to run for the House.
With all intent on running against Nelson. Then they pulled the plug on her.

I’m really mad about that little stunt. Nelson is really an idiot...


39 posted on 07/21/2007 6:15:21 PM PDT by ThreePuttinDude ()...temporarily out of service ....()
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To: Baladas

Mel Martinez single handedly handed the FL senate seat to the democrats.

He even pissed off the FL lawyers. He BLEW OFF THE LAWYERS (sent a lame video) so he could attend a Left Wing dominated Latino Elected elected official conference JUST DOWN THE STREET!!! (rumor has it he was also playing golf that weekend.

(both were in orland at the same time, one was at the world marriot the other was down the street at the Disney Contemporary)


40 posted on 07/21/2007 6:15:24 PM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: ontap

Perhaps Katherine Harris can run again in 2010.


41 posted on 07/21/2007 6:40:05 PM PDT by maxter
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To: Baladas

Must be because the voters are racist against Hispanics. Oh, wait, those are the same voters that voted for him in the first place, you know those bigoted, Hispanic hating Republicans.


42 posted on 07/21/2007 6:43:16 PM PDT by normy (Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.)
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To: tbpiper
All I have to do is go to the local Wal-Mart.

My wife and sister both call them Mexi-Marts.

43 posted on 07/21/2007 6:45:47 PM PDT by packrat35 (PIMP my Senate. They're all a bunch of whores anyway!)
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To: ontap
The Cubans may not vote Republican, they certainly will not vote Democrat.

Every south Florida Cuban exile or child of Cuban exiles that I've ever known, and I've known quite a few, are completely repulsed by even the faintest whiff of Marxism. And, there's a stench emanating from the leadership of both the major parties right now. They'll not be voting Democrat. Republican? Something of a tossup right now, as best I can tell. They're left with the same choices we're left with ... hold your nose and reward the arrogant twits with the (R) by their name, risk ridicule and go third party, or just throw up your hands and say the heck with it and not vote.

44 posted on 07/21/2007 6:47:44 PM PDT by RegulatorCountry
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

Steels is the man! I agree with you. Maryland lost by not electing him.


45 posted on 07/21/2007 6:48:20 PM PDT by packrat35 (PIMP my Senate. They're all a bunch of whores anyway!)
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To: RegulatorCountry
I hope you understand that I don't expect you to justify your political activity. I was merely pointing out that if you base your political potency on "staying home and not voting" you are only half as potent as those that don't stay home and do vote.

I fail to see how you could call Tancredo's comments ill-considered since he repeated them in his CPAC speech and again when he announced his candidacy. And those are just the times that I know of.

46 posted on 07/21/2007 6:50:23 PM PDT by Ben Ficklin
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To: Baladas

http://www.recallmel.com/


47 posted on 07/21/2007 6:50:50 PM PDT by ovrtaxt (The FairTax and the North American Union are mutually exclusive.)
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To: WorkerbeeCitizen

How about that, bud? LOL we were just discussing this!


48 posted on 07/21/2007 6:52:26 PM PDT by ovrtaxt (The FairTax and the North American Union are mutually exclusive.)
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To: ontap

I wonder if there are any Cuban-Americans voting for the Cuban democratic Senator?


49 posted on 07/21/2007 6:52:35 PM PDT by Ben Ficklin
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To: Baladas
He won't have to run again until 2010, but I want Mel Martinez gone yesterday as GOP chairman.

So do I, and we can make his life hell until 2010. Traitors need to be KICKED out of office!

50 posted on 07/21/2007 6:53:54 PM PDT by sokit2mebb (PEACE ON EARTH WILL ONLY COME AFTER JESUS RETURNS!)
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