Martinez to become new RNC chief

CNN ^ | November 13, 2006 | CNN

[AmishDude]

I hate long threads....

[maxter]

The GOP does not like real conservatives. They are not party elite and are to be shunned. If that is not a true statement, somebody set me straight. I would love to be wrong. Anybody?

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

What's his ACU rating?

It's 100.

And Chuck Hagel's rating is 96.

That should tell you what the ACU's rating system is worth.

[Terpfen]

IMHO conservatives need to consider forming a whole new political party

Yeah, that whole "let's not vote for Republicans" thing worked REALLY well last Tuesday.

Here's a better idea: vote for the conservative in the primaries. If s/he doesn't win, support the Republican in the general election, because other races WILL result in conservatives being elected. They can then act as a foil against the RINOs while preventing Democrat control of the government.

[battletank]

Well THIS current GOP has certainly made it quite clear that they loath conservatives. We're good for a few meaningless bones about a month before an election...and all year long when they're looking for money to push more RINO crap.

[right-wingin_It]

Not one life issue mentioned in the above scorecard

FYI, the Life issues are on the ACU "house votes guide"...and they are considered. I believe that the lack of such in the senate votes is possible because such the votes didn't come up recently in the senate.

[patriciamary]

Another stupid move by the GOP

[Hydroshock]

I am done voting for rinos.

[rfp1234]

--being a centrist, do you think he got the offer because of his surname?--

It's all about the Hispanic vote. Martinez sure sounds more Hispanic than "Bill Richardson".

Also, if I am not mistaken, Hispanics have just passed African-Americans as the largest U.S. minority. It all ties in with the "Comprehensive Immigration Pseudo-Amnesty". Rove is probably behind this strategery.

[mcmuffin]

BS. Mel is a great friend, a very sharp lawyer, adamant on abortion, a victim of Castro, speaks eloquently, a strong Conservative, etc.

BWA HA HA!

Stop it, MB, you're killing me with the sarcasm!
Victim of Castro I'll agree.

I think you've been chewing too much of that "Guetzloe Gum" !

The only reason he's considered is so the GOP can pander to the ever increasing hispanic vote (legal or illegal).

Thank God we're not being invaded by illegal Scottish aliens.
Can you imagine Arlen Sphincter (Spector) heading up the RNC?

[Terpfen]

Pst. Martinez as RNC Chairman won't influence policy. That's his role as Senator--and we went through the whole "Martinez is a RINO" thing two years ago when he ran. Come up with arguments for opposing his appointment based on his qualifications for the job, not because you disagree with a policy position that is totally irrelevant to the work he'll be doing.

[mcmuffin]

BS. Mel is a great friend, a very sharp lawyer, adamant on abortion, a victim of Castro, speaks eloquently, a strong Conservative, etc.

BWA HA HA!

Stop it, MB, you're killing me with the sarcasm!
Victim of Castro I'll agree.

I think you've been chewing too much of that "Guetzloe Gum" !

The only reason he's considered is so the GOP can pander to the ever increasing hispanic vote (legal or illegal).

Thank God we're not being invaded by illegal Scottish aliens.
Can you imagine Arlen Sphincter (Spector) heading up the RNC?

[rfp1234]

--RNC General Counsel Robert (Mike) Duncan --

What about this dude's conservative creds? To be continued...

[hoosierpearl]

Do you mean that I needed to be in the room when it was going on? How pathetic.

I do have some first hand knowledge, plus some information from her website and freepers who know them personally who did post this on prior threads.
She is very talented, she's great.
Her husband has a history that has been in the courts [prior divorce] and he has held public office and it became public knowledge because he held public office.
Which is a terrible shame because he is very talented too.
There are newspapers in south Florida, if you can believe them and believe Freepers.

I knew her when I lived in Florida.

[rfp1234]

http://www.kltprc.net/foresight/Chpt_79.htm

Hard to say how conservative this guy is; he has a strong background in education, which wouldn't hurt in a "youth vote strategery".

[Sam Hill]

Mel Martinez on Immigration Republican Jr Senator (FL); previously Secretary of H.U.D.

Strongly oppose amnesty for illegal aliens

Q: Do you support any changes in immigration law?

CASTOR: America is a nation of immigrants, and we should be open to those who come here legally to pursue their dreams. I would expedite citizenship for legal immigrants who are serving on active duty in the military. We need to make the system of asylum fair and equitable for unique groups like Haitians and Cubans, who are escaping repressive regimes. We must also ensure our borders are secure. Border security is no longer just an issue of immigration, it's crucial to our fight against terror.

MARTINEZ: Our immigration policy should first and foremost ensure the security of our nation and those individuals posing a terrorist threat should be prevented from entering our country. I strongly oppose amnesty for illegal aliens.

Source: Florida Senate Debate, Q&A by Associated Press Oct 24, 2004

Amnesty rewards lawlessness

Our immigration policy should first and foremost ensure the security of our great Nation and those individuals posing a terrorist threat should be prevented from entering our country. I strongly oppose amnesty for illegal aliens; our immigration laws should not reward lawlessness. Source: 2004 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Oct 14, 2004

End the flow of illegal aliens

Martinez will fight to secure our nation's borders and end the flow of illegal aliens to our country. Source: Campaign website, MelforSenate.org, "On The Issues" Jul 2, 2004

Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program.

Voting YES establishes a guest worker program with a path to citizenship for illegal aliens who have worked in the US for 5 years. The bill:
• Increases border security and enforcement
• Makes it unlawful to knowingly hire, recruit, or refer for a fee an unauthorized alien.
• Establishes a temporary guest worker program (H-2C visa) with a three-year admission and one additional three-year extension; and issuance of H-4 nonimmigrant visas for accompanying or following spouse and children;
• Provides permanent resident status adjustment for a qualifying illegal alien, and family, for aliens who have been in the US and employed for five years.

Proponents of the bill say:
• Our immigration system is broken and needs to be repaired. This bill is a strong step in the right direction. We need to protect our borders and look out for American workers, and we also need a responsible way to meet the need for temporary workers, particularly in the agricultural area, where they represent about 70 percent of the U.S. agricultural workforce, with a path to earned citizenship for hard-working, law abiding temporary workers. This bill, the product of bipartisan compromise, takes a commonsense approach to all of these issues.

Opponents of the bill say:
• Our country has been built by immigrants. But the reason we have had quotas for immigration is the world has progressed in different parts of this globe at a very different rate. In some countries, the economies have lagged far behind.
• There are jobs available in this country with rates of pay that are far in excess of those of Third World countries. We have on our southern border people who aspire to come to this country. In order to protect our way of life and our standard of living and to protect jobs, we have quotas.

Reference: Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act; Bill S. 2611 ; vote number 2006-157 on May 25, 2006

Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security.

Voting YEA would table (kill) the proposed amendment to prohibit illegal immigrants from receiving Social Security benefits. Voting NAY supports that prohibition, while voting YEA supports immigrants participating in Social Security. Text of amendment:

To reduce document fraud, prevent identity theft, and preserve the integrity of the Social Security system, by ensuring that persons who receive an adjustment of status under this bill are not able to receive Social Security benefits as a result of unlawful activity.

Proponents of the amendment say to vote NAY because:
• The Immigration Reform bill would allow people to qualify for social security based on work they did while they were illegally present in the US and illegally working in the US. People who broke the law to come here and broke the law to work here can benefit from their conduct to collect social security.
• In some cases, illegal immigrants may have stolen an American citizen's identity. They may have stolen an American's social security number to fraudulently work. This amendment corrects this problem.

Opponents of the amendment say to vote YEA because:
• Americans understand that for years there are undocumented workers who have tried to follow our laws and be good neighbors and good citizens, and have paid into the Social Security Trust Fund.
• Once that person regularizes his or her status, and as they proceed down the path to earned citizenship, they should have the benefit after having followed the law and made those contributions. That is fairness.
• We should not steal their funds or empty their Social Security accounts. That is not fair. It does not reward their hard work or their financial contributions.
• The amendment proposes to change existing law to prohibit an individual from gaining the benefit of any contributions made while the individual was in an undocumented status. I oppose this amendment and believe it is wrong.

Reference: Preclusion of Social Security Credits; Bill S.Amdt.3985 to S.2611 ; vote number 2006-130 on May 18, 2006

[Condor51]

****The rabid hatred of the GOP around here reeks to high heaven. ****

Maybe you want GOP.com

And just wondering, did you read the FR homepage before regersiting in '05?

Welcome to Free Republic
Free Republic is the premier online gathering place for independent, grass-roots conservatism on the web. We're working to roll back decades of governmental largesse, to root out political fraud and corruption, and to champion causes which further conservatism in America.

You'll note that GOP or Republican is NOT mentioned.

[Principle before party. ]

[Cruz]

Mel Martinez is a life NRA member, FYI.

[Zack Nguyen]

I don't know much about Martinez, but I was really hoping for Michael Steele. Steele has paid a serious price, personally and politically, to be a Republican. Being mocked as a race traitor is an experience few Republicans can relate to. He has given up a lot for the ideas that we hold dear.

Therefore I think that Steele was almost owed the job after coming so close in Maryland.

[right-wingin_It]

Abortion Issues
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2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Planned Parenthood 0 percent in 2006.

2005-2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 100 percent in 2005-2006.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 0 percent in 2005.

Agriculture Issues
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2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the National Association of Wheat Growers 100 percent in 2005.

Animal Rights and Wildlife Issues
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2005-2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the The Humane Society of the United States 40 percent in 2005-2006.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the The Humane Society of the United States 20 percent in 2005.

2004  In 2004 Sportsmen's and Animal Owner's Voting Alliance endorsed Senator Martinez.

Arts and Humanities
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2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the National Trust for Historic Preservation 75 percent in 2005.

Budget, Spending and Taxes
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2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the FreedomWorks 75 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the National Taxpayers Union 70 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Americans for Tax Reform 100 percent in 2005.

Business and Consumers
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2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association 92 percent in 2006.

2005-2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the National Federation of Independent Business 100 percent in 2005-2006.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the National Association of Government Contractors 0 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 83 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Business-Industry Political Action Committee 84 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the International Sleep Products Association 50 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council 100 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the National Federation of Independent Business 100 percent in 2005.

2004  In 2004 National Beer Wholesalers Association PAC endorsed Senator Martinez.

1999-2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association 100 percent in 1999-2006.

Civil Liberties
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2005-2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the American Civil Liberties Union 25 percent in 2005-2006.

Civil Rights
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2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 10 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 6 percent in 2005.

Conservative
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Summer 06  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Conservative Index - The John Birch Society 33 percent in Summer 06.

2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Americans for Prosperity 29 percent in 2006.

2005-2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Concerned Women for America 100 percent in 2005-2006.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Eagle Forum 50 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Republican Liberty Caucus - Personal Liberties on personal liberties 74 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Republican Liberty Caucus 79 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Republican Liberty Caucus - Economic Issues on economic issues 85 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the American Conservative Union 100 percent in 2005.

Education
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2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the National Association for College Admission Counseling 17 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the National Education Association 0 percent in 2005.

Energy Issues
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2005-2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Campaign for America's Future 0 percent in 2005-2006 on energy legislation.

Environmental Issues
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2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the American Land Rights Association 78 percent in 2006.

2005-2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Comprehensive US Sustainable Population 8 percent in 2005-2006.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the American Wilderness Coalition 0 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund 25 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 10 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Republicans for Environmental Protection 13 percent in 2005. Points for significant non-voting actions were added to or subtracted from percentages calculated from voting records. Thus, the rating may be less than 0 or greater than 100.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the American Land Rights Association 67 percent in 2005.

Family and Children Issues
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2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Children's Defense Fund 0 percent in 2005.

Foreign Aid and Policy Issues
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2006  In 2006 Citizens for Global Solutions gave Senator Martinez a rating of D+.

2006  In 2006, The Genocide Intervention Network--Darfur Scores assigned Senator Martinez a grade of C based on voting records, bill sponsorship and other activities related to ending the genocide in Darfur.

2005-2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Friends Committee on National Legislation 33 percent in 2005-2006.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Peace Action 22 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Latin America Working Group 33 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the PeacePAC 25 percent in 2005.

Gender Issues
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2005-2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the American Association of University Women 10 percent in 2005-2006.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the National Organization for Women 0 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the American Association of University Women 17 percent in 2005.

Government Reform
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2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the U.S. Public Interest Research Group 14 percent in 2006.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Citizens Against Government Waste 71 percent in 2005.

Gun Issues
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2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Gun Owners of America 100 percent in 2005.

Health Issues
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2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 20 percent in 2005.

Immigration
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2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the American Immigration Lawyers Association 100 percent in 2006.

2005-2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the U.S. Border Control 10 percent in 2005-2006.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Federation for American Immigration Reform 0 percent in 2005.

2003-2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Americans for Better Immigration 12 percent in 2003-2006.

Labor
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2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 36 percent in 2006.

2005-2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 13 percent in 2005-2006.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the American Federation of Government Employees 0 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers 0 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Service Employees International Union 8 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the United Auto Workers 7 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the AFL-CIO 21 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Worker 0 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees 0 percent in 2005.

Liberal
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2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the National Committee for an Effective Congress 15 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Americans for Democratic Action 5 percent in 2005.

National Journal
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2005  According to the National Journal - Composite Liberal Score's calculations, in 2005, Senator Martinez voted more liberal on economic, defense and foreign policy issues than 21 percent of the Senators.

2005  According to the National Journal - Liberal on Social Policy's calculations, in 2005, Senator Martinez voted more liberal on social policy issues than 0 percent of the Senators.

2005  According to the National Journal - Composite Conservative Score's calculations, in 2005, Senator Martinez voted more conservative on economic, defense and foreign policy issues than 79 percent of the Senators.

2005  According to the National Journal - Liberal on Foreign Policy's calculations, in 2005, Senator Martinez voted more liberal on foreign policy issues than 0 percent of the Senators.

2005  According to the National Journal - Conservative on Economic Policy calculations, in 2005 Senator Martinez voted more conservative on economic policy issues than 61 percent of Senators.

2005  According to the National Journal - Conservative on Foreign Policy's calculations, in 2005, Senator Martinez voted more conservative on foreign policy issues than 74 percent of the Senators.

2005  According to the National Journal - Liberal on Economic Policy's calculations, in 2005, Senator Martinez voted more liberal on economic policy issues than 36 percent of the Senators.

2005  According to the National Journal - Conservative on Social Policy's calculations, in 2005, Senator Martinez voted more conservative on social policy issues than 77 percent of the Senators.

Senior and Social Security Issues
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2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Alliance for Retired Americans 10 percent in 2005.

Social Issues
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2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Secular Coalition for America 0 percent in 2006.

2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Population Connection 0 percent in 2006.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby 0 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Population Institute 50 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Mennonite Central Committee 11 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Population Connection 0 percent in 2005.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy 13 percent in 2005.

Trade Issues
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2005-2006  In 2005-2006 USA Engage gave Senator Martinez a rating of B.

Veterans Issues
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2006  In 2006 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Senator Martinez a grade of D.

2006  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 60 percent in 2006.

2005  Senator Martinez supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 25 percent in 2005.