Posted on 08/07/2009 1:07:01 PM PDT by La Enchiladita
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senator Mel Martinez, a native Cuban and a former chairman of the Republican Party, stunned supporters on Friday by informing them that he plans to resign from Congress, party aides said.
Martinez, 62, who earlier said he would not run for a second Senate term next year, scheduled a news conference in Orlando, Florida, at 3 p.m. EDT to make an announcement.
In a letter to "friends," a copy of which was obtained by Reuters from a supporter of the senator, Martinez said he planned to step down after a replacement is named.
"My priorities have always been my faith, my family and my country and at this stage in my life, and after nearly 12 years of public service in Florida and Washington, it's time I return to Florida and my family," Martinez wrote.
....
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
I nominate Tim Tebow.
There is ! From your mouth to Gods ears. Amen
Bush & Rove picked Martinez to bring out the Miami Hispanic vote out in 2004 and it worked !! Harris ran against Bill Nelson in 2006 and lost !!
Hoping for Rubio in 2010 ...so Crist the climber can be derailed for good !!
I also think she would have been a better Senator than Martinez ever was and sadly I don't think Rubio can overcome the nasty RINO machine.
How about former Governor Martinez as a caretaker? He wouldn’t run for Senate in 2010.
It may be these GOP Officials are trying to cash in in the private sector while there is still enough GOP influence and power left to make that possible. This is not a good sign.
He’s a pro-illegal alien RINO. One wonders how he became a Pubby.
If you think about it, it's career politician with legal corporate bribe money that got us in this mess. Kick them all out and start over again. But this time change the campaign finance law with this.
Only eligible voters can contribute to.....
Along with mandatory prison time and lost of post for violation.
My first thought was maybe the FL govna could appoint Lou Holtz. LOL!
If Crist had balls, he’d appoint George W. Bush...just to watch liberal heads explode all over the country.
Jeb Bush would be a great choice with almost the same amount of head-exploding effect. But relatively RINO-ish, I know ...
I’m actually surprised he didn’t pull a Sp[hin]cter and switch-hit.
I always wanted to hurl when I saw all those “magnificent bastard” posts here. I would have left out the word, “magnificent.” Rove left the party a beat up carcass whose bones were being chewed by Rino’s.
Yes he did. Now he is completing his work by constantly talking down conservatives on Fox News.
His main priority is saving his leftist ass. Someone must have something on him.
Glad to see the backstabbing POS is going down.
Time for a real conservative to get the job.
You win the best suggestion of the year award.
“Don’t beat around the Bush, appoint him”
One of my greatest disappointments as a Florida voter. Thought a guy who had escaped from Castro would be more of a conservative...
We will probably get Crist next....hasnt really done anything terrible, besides be an early McCain supporter. Still he seems like he’s been into the loafer lightener...
John Wayne, where are you?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.