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GOP Sen. Mel Martinez Is Resigning
FoxNews ^ | 8/7/2009 | Fox News

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 ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: 111th; fl2010; florida; melmartinez; resign; resignation; senator

1 posted on 08/07/2009 8:04:33 AM PDT by mikelets456
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To: mikelets456

WTF, why don’t the Dems ever resign? I guess Chicago thuggery is digging up EVERYTHING on GOP members!


2 posted on 08/07/2009 8:06:38 AM PDT by mikelets456
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To: mikelets456

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.


3 posted on 08/07/2009 8:06:38 AM PDT by lexington minuteman 1775
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To: mikelets456

For health reasons or because he was just sick and tired of the Democrats steamrolling over the country?


4 posted on 08/07/2009 8:07:09 AM PDT by John123 (Turn on your teleprompter Obama and read your lips... "No New Taxes!!")
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To: mikelets456
Quitter!!!!!

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?

5 posted on 08/07/2009 8:08:16 AM PDT by dalight
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To: lexington minuteman 1775
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.

And Charlie Crist too? Quitting before his term is over???? OMG!!!

6 posted on 08/07/2009 8:09:40 AM PDT by dalight
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To: mikelets456

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.


7 posted on 08/07/2009 8:09:42 AM PDT by gorilla_warrior (Metrosexual hairless RINOs for hopey-changey bipartisan-ness)
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To: mikelets456; All
"GOP Sen. Mel Martinez Is Resigning"


8 posted on 08/07/2009 8:11:38 AM PDT by musicman (Until I see the REAL Long Form Vault BC, he's just "PRES__ENT" Obama = Without "ID")
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To: mikelets456

Martinez’ picture is in the Britannica next to “sell-out” and “RINO.”


9 posted on 08/07/2009 8:13:32 AM PDT by Oldpuppymax (AGENDA OF THE LEFT EXPOSED)
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To: lexington minuteman 1775

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.


10 posted on 08/07/2009 8:13:45 AM PDT by CharlesWayneCT
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To: mikelets456

I BET MEL SHOWS UP IN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION.


11 posted on 08/07/2009 8:14:01 AM PDT by devane617 (Republicans first strategy should be taking over the MSM. Without it we are doomed.)
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To: dalight
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?

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.

12 posted on 08/07/2009 8:14:44 AM PDT by CharlesWayneCT
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To: mikelets456

Hell, they vote from the grave. You expect them to voluntarily give up power?


13 posted on 08/07/2009 8:15:04 AM PDT by listenhillary (90% of our problems could be resolved with a government 10% of the size it is now.)
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To: JulieRNR21; kinganamort; katherineisgreat; floriduh voter; summer; Goldwater Girl; windchime; ...
Good riddance to bad rubbish. Problem is, his replacement will probably be worse.

Florida Freeper


14 posted on 08/07/2009 8:16:47 AM PDT by Joe Brower (Sheep have three speeds: "graze", "stampede" and "cower".)
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To: CharlesWayneCT

“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..


15 posted on 08/07/2009 8:20:20 AM PDT by stockpirate ("The time for talking is past, now is the time for taking action." Barack Obama 2008)
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To: mikelets456

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.


16 posted on 08/07/2009 8:20:39 AM PDT by bilhosty (Tax payers for change)
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To: devane617
I BET MEL SHOWS UP IN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION.

Sounds like a winning bet. I wonder if this has anything to do with the Greg Craig and Patrick Fitzgerald rumors earlier this week.

17 posted on 08/07/2009 8:26:00 AM PDT by countess
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To: countess

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.


18 posted on 08/07/2009 8:31:08 AM PDT by devane617 (Republicans first strategy should be taking over the MSM. Without it we are doomed.)
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To: devane617

are there more czar positions being created?


19 posted on 08/07/2009 8:34:18 AM PDT by WOBBLY BOB (ACORN:American Corruption for Obama Right Now)
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To: mikelets456
GOOD RIDDENCE
ONE LESS RINO IN THE SENATE! ! ! ! !
20 posted on 08/07/2009 8:38:31 AM PDT by Voter#537 (I think I'll just sit here and Drink Till BO Leaves or is EXPELLED! ! ! !)
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To: bilhosty

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.


21 posted on 08/07/2009 8:40:59 AM PDT by Sunbunny
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To: mikelets456

Good riddance.


22 posted on 08/07/2009 8:41:34 AM PDT by Carley (OBAMA IS A MALEVOLENT FORCE IN THE WORLD)
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To: Joe Brower

Nope, Rubio is going to beat Crist. Big improvement.


23 posted on 08/07/2009 8:45:51 AM PDT by Rugged Individual (Who is the world's smallest minority? I am. I am an individual.)
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To: Rugged Individual

We are well rid of Mel down here in Florida. He’s been a disaster.


24 posted on 08/07/2009 8:50:42 AM PDT by surely_you_jest
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To: Rugged Individual
Crist will appoint a replacement. The election is later.

It will be informative to see who the appointee is.

25 posted on 08/07/2009 8:52:11 AM PDT by Joe Brower (Sheep have three speeds: "graze", "stampede" and "cower".)
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To: Rugged Individual

What’s latest polling and does Rubio have a good chance of winning?


26 posted on 08/07/2009 8:52:32 AM PDT by newfreep ("Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." - P.J. O'Rourke)
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To: bilhosty

Its said that Crist will appoint Bob Martinez as an interim Senator. Bob Martinez was FL Governor from 1986 to 1990.


27 posted on 08/07/2009 8:56:55 AM PDT by DanZanRyu
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To: stockpirate

her precedent on this forum, that you should be praised for resigning early.


28 posted on 08/07/2009 8:57:10 AM PDT by CharlesWayneCT
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To: surely_you_jest

“We are well rid of Mel down here in Florida. He’s been a disaster.”

I agree!


29 posted on 08/07/2009 9:00:29 AM PDT by Old Grumpy
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To: musicman

"Bye..."

30 posted on 08/07/2009 9:00:36 AM PDT by EricT. ("Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government." -George Washington)
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To: John123
FFor health reasons or because he was just sick and tired of the Democrats steamrolling over the country?

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.

31 posted on 08/07/2009 9:05:36 AM PDT by subterfuge (BUILD MORE NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS NOW!!!)
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To: dalight

I’ve met him — he’s a nice man but an imbecile. This is a good thing.


32 posted on 08/07/2009 9:08:38 AM PDT by kabumpo (Kabumpo)
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To: mikelets456
Senior amnesty gave us the finger with the Sotomayor vote on the way out the door. We should have resigned Wednesday!
33 posted on 08/07/2009 9:08:55 AM PDT by jmaroneps37 (Conservatism is truth. Liberalism is lies.)
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To: mikelets456

Good riddance to Mel. Now we have to defeat Crispy Critter.


34 posted on 08/07/2009 9:18:01 AM PDT by Babalu ("Tracer rounds work both ways ...")
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To: newfreep

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/


35 posted on 08/07/2009 9:26:50 AM PDT by Rugged Individual (Who is the world's smallest minority? I am. I am an individual.)
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To: mikelets456
Martinez, 62, the only Hispanic Republican in the Senate

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.

36 posted on 08/07/2009 9:38:47 AM PDT by PressurePoint (See you in the unemployment line, Barack)
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To: mikelets456
Good.

GTFO.

37 posted on 08/07/2009 10:03:24 AM PDT by SIDENET ("If that's your best, your best won't do." -Dee Snider)
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To: mikelets456

I can’t decide which of my votes I regret the most, the one for Martinez for Senator or Christ for Governor. (both)


38 posted on 08/07/2009 10:09:01 AM PDT by shortstop (General Petraeus in 2012.)
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To: DanZanRyu; Nick Danger
Its said that Crist will appoint Bob Martinez as an interim Senator.

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.

39 posted on 08/07/2009 11:45:29 AM PDT by NautiNurse (Obama: A day without TOTUS is like a day without sunshine)
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To: NautiNurse

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.


40 posted on 08/07/2009 12:20:58 PM PDT by Goldwater Girl
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To: Goldwater Girl

That smells way too much like pay-to-play.


41 posted on 08/07/2009 12:32:44 PM PDT by NautiNurse (Obama: A day without TOTUS is like a day without sunshine)
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To: NautiNurse
You are right- there was some kind of secret deal struck. Maybe because Crist was getting massacred in all the local party straw polls- he needs something to shore up his bone fides with the base.
So RINO Martinez goes back to ambulance chasing, and Charlie gets to put someone in that seat that is more to the liking of the base.
If he was smart, he'd pick Connie Jr- who could then run a credible race against Nelson in 2012. But he isn't smart.
42 posted on 08/07/2009 1:15:09 PM PDT by Goldwater Girl
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To: bilhosty

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.


43 posted on 08/07/2009 1:17:59 PM PDT by GladesGuru (In a society predicated upon freedom, it is essential to examine principles,)
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To: Babalu

“Now we have to defeat Crispy Critter.”

Are you referring to Christ? If so, I thought he was dubbed “Creepy Critter”.


44 posted on 08/07/2009 1:20:25 PM PDT by GladesGuru (In a society predicated upon freedom, it is essential to examine principles,)
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To: Goldwater Girl
there was some kind of secret deal struck.

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.

45 posted on 08/07/2009 1:33:48 PM PDT by NautiNurse (Obama: A day without TOTUS is like a day without sunshine)
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To: GladesGuru
Are you referring to Christ?

Maybe the Holy Spirit.

46 posted on 08/07/2009 1:35:00 PM PDT by NautiNurse (Obama: A day without TOTUS is like a day without sunshine)
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To: NautiNurse

Mea typo!


47 posted on 08/07/2009 6:32:34 PM PDT by GladesGuru (In a society predicated upon freedom, it is essential to examine principles,)
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To: CharlesWayneCT
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.

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?

48 posted on 08/07/2009 9:05:59 PM PDT by dalight
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To: dalight

It’s sad, I actually like my Democratic Senator more than Olympia Snowe.


49 posted on 08/07/2009 11:08:04 PM PDT by CharlesWayneCT
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To: CharlesWayneCT

You must really hate Snowe. Both VA Senators are such jackholes.


50 posted on 08/08/2009 12:08:53 AM PDT by Impy (RED=COMMUNIST, NOT REPUBLICAN)
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