Posted on 08/17/2007 6:51:05 AM PDT by 3AngelaD
In a sign of serious Republican disarray, Sen. Mel Martinez, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, has just lambasted his party's two top presidential candidates over immigration positions which most Americans regard as reasonable. The junior senator from Florida is wrong on more than the substance. This is a case of Mr. Martinez putting his own personal views and his loyalty to President Bush above the serious responsibilities of his chairmanship... And he may have just undercut the man for whom Mr. Martinez's job requires a vigorous defense next year.
The irony here is that Mr. Martinez did this while purporting to lecture the hopefuls on "leadership..." He later mentioned Messrs. Romney and Giuliani by name as two who had mischaracterized the failed immigration plan.
The gall. Mr. Martinez knows "the answer," and he knows the "leadership" behind it: Enforcement first. He may not agree, but neither can he pretend not to hear. Enforcement first was propounded time and again by conservatives. Messrs. Giuliani and Romney are two recent (and welcome) converts. The "leadership" card may play to the audience but in this instance is pure chicanery. It is Mr. Martinez whose conduct ill suits his office. Half a year from now..How much less credibility he will have for undercutting the contenders.
...Oddest of all, the White House's enforcement announcement this week edges away from six years of open borders. At least Mr. Martinez still has Sen. Ted Kennedy and the Democrats.
The presidential contest is more than gesticulating about "leadership." It is about formulating new policy. Mr. Martinez represents the old policy. He has used his position of party influence to push that old line, and he is wrong to do so.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Being Hispanic has nothing to do with Mel Martinez’ racial bias, I’m certain! Mel, time to go.
So, basically, he thinks that a real leader will read the polls, believe that most Americans don't want our laws enforced, shrug and say "If that's what you want" and then lead the nation accordingly?
That's leadership?
So, how do we begin the effort to remove Martinez?
This is a coordinated effort by the MSM to drive a wedge in the Republican Party.
First, Martinez makes the weak claim that Giuliani and Romney did not offer alternatives to the Immigration Bill. That is not true.
He does not attack them.
Martinez will be out once a nominee is selected.
I can’t wait til this clown is removed from RNC headquarters.
That's a waste of time. The leaders of the GOP are NOT conservative.
The only hope conservatives have in 08 is for a grassroots campaign to overwhelm the party establishment.
And if that doesn't happen; hello pres. hillary.
Paging Haley Barbour. Would Mr. Barbour please pick up the white G0P courtesy phone? What happened to effective Republican leaders?
Martinez is in the WH immigration loop.
The reason he was clear to be public is because the WH enforcement effort is not about enforcement, it is about punishment. The goal is to SELECTIVLY enforce law so as to punish those who opposed amnesty. An unbalanced give them what they want with a few “weere doooomed” news stories and the George Orwell writing class yields dividends.
Martinez is arrogant.
Martinez must go.
If the WH is that worried about his token hispanic value, they can replace him without person of hispanic decent. (why even waste time playing games about that failure to “attract”.) What will attract hispanic newly minted voters is standing FOR something. NOT having a token.
If this was the case, Jessie Jackson’s shakedown machine can easily be bought. If we don’t stand for something, we stand for nothing.
“NEWT FOR RNC CHAIR”
That’s an excellent idea. Newt is a much better strategic thinker and organizer than he is a candidate. RNC Chair is just the role to best leverage his talents. I like it.
Martinez is still the head of the RNC. He should have resigned after the comprehensive immigration bill was defeated this summer. He has become the poster boy for amnesty, which began with the 2006 Hagel-Martinez comprehensive immigration reform bill, that was voted against by Senate Reps 32-23.
Bush’s appointment of him as RNC chair has hurt the party. Contributions are down [including mine] because he is still the chair. And the fact that he is interjecting himself into the campaign calling McCain courageous and attacking Romney and Giuliani for mischaracterizing the Senate bill is beyond the pale. Instead of you telling others to STFU, you should direct that comment to Martinez and demand his resignation.
It is not the MSM driving a wedge in the GOP, it is Martinez. The immigration could and should be one of the defining issues of the 2008 campaign. I can assure you that the Martinez position on immigration won’t be the one reflected in the GOP platorm for 2008.
ROVE?
Not surprising. Sad, but not surprising.
W's legacy will be putting loyalty to his friends above his responsibilty to the nation.
An excellent choice dear angel!
Haley is far less abrasive than Newt and in my view a smarter politician.
I believe that the conservative policy positions can win the day if they are effectively presented.
Nothing is more important than keeping our message consistently clear and conservative. And nobody does that better that Mr. Barbour.
Rove is for open borders as well.
Newt for RNC, that is a GREAT idea.
BTTT!
I think the Republican leaders forgot the part that leaders rule at the pleasure of the lead.
Mel Martinez is reason number one why RNC fundraising is more dried up than shrillaries humanity.
Senator Martinez = NO MONEY.
HE doesn't GET IT......but we, the people, do.
THE FACTS ARE THESE: This individual---supposedly an American---is colluding with Third World governments to assist them in hoisting themselves out of their respective hellholes on the backs of American citizens.
No way, Jose.
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