Posted on 08/07/2009 8:04:33 AM PDT by mikelets456
Developing: Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., is resigning, a senior Republican official told FOX News.
He announced earlier this year that he had decided not to seek re-election in 2010.
His resignation may allow Gov. Charlie Crist, who is running for the seat, to appoint a replacement.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
WTF, why don’t the Dems ever resign? I guess Chicago thuggery is digging up EVERYTHING on GOP members!
Charlie Crist will appoint himself...resign as Florida governor. RINO’s continue to multiply...damn, just damn. You can bet Charlie Crist had a hand in this.
For health reasons or because he was just sick and tired of the Democrats steamrolling over the country?
Why would anyone quit before their term is up. I mean come on.. Martinez just joined the lowest of the low. Its a shame that this is the new standard, but how can we change it now?
And Charlie Crist too? Quitting before his term is over???? OMG!!!
Martinez is a racialist who let ethnic identity politics trump his responsibilities to American citizens. The GOP needs to steer clear of racialism if they want to survive.
Martinez’ picture is in the Britannica next to “sell-out” and “RINO.”
I don’t understand this, because it seems it could hurt Crist more than help him. Crist would have to resign as Governor to take the seat, removing him from a position that would be easier to launch his senate bid.
Worse, people tend to look poorly on governors who appoint themselves to positions, so this will hurt him with people who weren’t sure which candidate to support.
I suppose if he is SURE that the replacement governor will appoint him, he can simply resign, and let the new governor make the senate appointment. But most people would assume there was a back-room deal.
I BET MEL SHOWS UP IN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION.
I don't know if you were being sarcastic, but if not, that message may not go over well with some people here at FR, given Governor Palin's precedent.
Hell, they vote from the grave. You expect them to voluntarily give up power?


“given Governor Palin’s precedent”
Palin set no precedent! Many office holders of both parties have left office early for various reasons.
Recently, Obama, Hillery to name a couple..
Christ if he has a brain will appoint a care taker. Every time a Governor appointed himself he ends up a loser. this has happened in new Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina in the ‘60’s. The last one to try it was in Minnesota in ‘76. Everyone of them was bounced.
Sounds like a winning bet. I wonder if this has anything to do with the Greg Craig and Patrick Fitzgerald rumors earlier this week.
Obama wants to shore up support among the south Florida hispanic community—he already accomplished the goal with other hispanics with the Sotomayor success, so nominating Mel to a high-level position will solve the other problem.
are there more czar positions being created?
Crist won’t appoint himself. It’s too cheesy. If he really cared about FL, he would appoint Rubio. But he won’t since Rubio will be his biggest opponent in Nov.
Martinez is already a lame duck RINO. But you’d think he would only resign if he knew Crist would appoint someone good in his place. That is not likely. Crist will appoint someone he can easily beat in Nov.
Good riddance.
Nope, Rubio is going to beat Crist. Big improvement.
We are well rid of Mel down here in Florida. He’s been a disaster.
It will be informative to see who the appointee is.
What’s latest polling and does Rubio have a good chance of winning?
Its said that Crist will appoint Bob Martinez as an interim Senator. Bob Martinez was FL Governor from 1986 to 1990.
her precedent on this forum, that you should be praised for resigning early.
“We are well rid of Mel down here in Florida. Hes been a disaster.”
I agree!

"Bye..."
Doubtful. He's probably switching sides since he votes with the Dems on most everything anyway.
Crist is probably taking bids for the seat now.
I’ve met him — he’s a nice man but an imbecile. This is a good thing.
Good riddance to Mel. Now we have to defeat Crispy Critter.
Rubio has a great shot at winning. Crist isn’t loved by rank-and-file Florida Republicans, only the establishment. In most states outside of Illinois (with their establishment Daley Machine), the elites are often toppled. I hope that’s the case this time. Rubio has plenty of support inside the Republican Party, so I think he has his foot in the door. Check this out:
http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/06/16/demint_rubio_florid/
Will they stop this friggin nonsense already. Who keeps these racial tallies for every position in the country? Is there some government official in the cellar of the capitol with a stick of chalk and an eraser.
GTFO.
I can’t decide which of my votes I regret the most, the one for Martinez for Senator or Christ for Governor. (both)
We were discussing earlier whether Crist would appoint an elderly placeholder for the duration of Mel's term. 74 year old Bob Martinez would qualify for that description. Porter Goss came to mind too, a spry 70 year-old.
So does Jim Smith- his son in law in a big Crist fundraiser.
Media is talking about him- guess they hope no one remembers when he was on the Cabinet.
That smells way too much like pay-to-play.
Which job has better post office holding benefits?
If by being appointed to the Senate, he could get better “retirement” benefits, he’ll do it.
And, ‘retire’ he will, at the next election.
“Now we have to defeat Crispy Critter.”
Are you referring to Christ? If so, I thought he was dubbed “Creepy Critter”.
We don't know what kind of deal Crist struck with his socialite bride either. He's been campaigning out in the Hamptons with all the liberal New Yorkers.
Maybe the Holy Spirit.
Mea typo!
I appreciate your concern, but I am not worrying about being fingered as a troll. And yes, this is hard edge satire.. and fury about the hypocrisy of our Republican Party officials who just don't get how out of touch they are.
They excoriate Palin for strategically stepping down, then lionize Martinez. Crist is almost DOA and doesn't know it.. folks feel sick about this, at least I do.
And worse, we have to watch Florida lose a Republican Senator seat because the Republican's think the McCain ploy will work eventually if they try it enough. And how is Crist going to overcome 5-10% of his base deciding to sit on their hands because they simply hate him. Who wants another Olymia Snow? Whats the point?
It’s sad, I actually like my Democratic Senator more than Olympia Snowe.
You must really hate Snowe. Both VA Senators are such jackholes.
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