WSVN in Miami reporting Sen. Mel Martinez (R) resigns

Source: WSVN TV Miami

Senator Mel Martinez resigns

Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/08/07/florida-senator-to-resign-seat/

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Just broke in on the TV.

Edit: CNN link added

edit: Miami Herald link:

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking-news/story/1175828.html

:popcorn:

Martinez resigns and Charlie appoints himself.

political arguments that he is pathetic selfish individual out to make his way up the gov't ladder. He's really annoying to me, and I hope the Democrats really pick a strong contender to challenge him. A very likable person is the only kind of person that could beat spray-tan Charlie and his slick personality.

He attended the Madrassa De Havana.

GOP cohorts, and their reaction to his breaking ranks.

illustrated the racism in the GOP.

n/t.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Florida, will announce that he is resigning his seat, three Republican sources have told CNN.

Earlier this year, Martinez said he would not run for re-election in 2010. Under Florida law covering a Senate resignation, Republican Gov. Charlie Crist will get to appoint a successor until the next general election. Crist himself is running for that seat.

he seemed so good at it the last time...

on WSVN's page ...

http://www4.wsvn.com/

:evilgrin:

...Sarah 'The Joker' Palin's lead.

I understand hiking the Appalachian Trail is lovely this time of year...

Other than the American people generally.

I'm digging this.

If Martinez resigns and Crist appoints himself to the position...how Republican. I know that Democrats have probably done the same thing but somehow this just seems dirty if it should happen. I guess my Yellow Dog is barking at that outcome. Crist is popular in FL because when he first became governor, he acted more like a Democrat but he is really an opportunist. Maybe if he does appoint himself, it will make the "good" Florida citizens realize his true face and not elect him. But I won't hold my breath...I lived in Miami-Dade county for 10 yrs, not sure Florida has learned any lessons yet.

Well, at least his wife and Mitch McConnell's wife will have something in common, good acting skills.

As a result of the anger about that AND Hubert Humphrey's death, BOTH Minnesota Senate seats were GOP by '78.

We didn't get either of them back until Wellstone ran.

One less Hispanic Republican in a position of power.

And two incumbents Pubs, albeit short-term incumbents, for Florida Dems to run against, instead of two open offices.

Source: AP

"In a letter to friends and supporters obtained by The Associated Press, Martinez says he's stepping down early for personal reasons.

'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.

The note says his resignation will be "effective on a successor taking office to fill out the remainder of my term."





Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_senate_martinez_resigns

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Right, it's all about the family. Do we have another GOP embarrassment in the making here? I wonder what the real reason is.

:popcorn:

so he may as well be a QUITTER. Maybe he and Sarah have something cooked up.

The replacement will have a years worth of 'being Senatorial' under his belt, plus all the free advertising that goes with it. It gives them a heads on on the next election.

Most likely Crist will appoint a 'caretaker' type that will not run for re-election.

plan to give the job to someone else for a year. UNLESS, this is the GOP trying to cut the legs our from under Crist for a) marginally supporting Obama and/or b) possibly being gay.

:shrug:

:shrug:

...I'm about convinced that he's protesting the dozens of nays on Sotomayor--and using the "more time with family" dodge to avoid having to call out his own party.

he wants to become a University President....???

GOP values: Quittng apparently is one of them.

The GOP will put a fast to run up candidate in his place to push on Blue Florida next year.

I believe that Jeb has already passed on this.

in case they are temped to sin.

and they will use Florida as their base.

Martinez says says his resignation will be "effective on a successor taking office to fill out the remainder of my term." Who are they pegging for his successor? Crist? Jeb Bush? another?

This is getting curiouser and curiouser as we go along. Martinez just voted for Sotomayor. Repugs are losing Hispanic support. One would think that it would be in their best interest to keep Martinez in place.

I wonder what is going on?

or so the pundits say. They are saying he will appoint a place holder to the job, but that Mel's decision fucked Crist just a bt.

See, he didn't want to be a lame duck. And it's all the media's fault. Or the Democrats. And God bless the troops. Except the ones who don't like Republicans or their lame antics. Oh, and screw you too, Katie Couric, and your "gotcha" questions. Also.

and here's back atcha...

...and wants out.

I think he should just change parties

From David Weigel at The Washington Independent:


Sen. Mel Martinez Resigns; Did the GOP Base Hound Him Out?


August 7, 2009






*Lack of ideological purity* and vehement disgust with his own party ring true here.



So, will Charlie Crist resign as Governor, and be named by the now-lieutenant Governor to fill this Senate seat that Crist is running for next year? Sounds like something Charlie would do.

Which is a dying breed in S Florida. He doesn't see much of a future in anti-Castro rhetoric any more. This was a source of Federal pork money that funded many failed RW cuban projects in Miami. If you remember Mel joined the crazy religulous nuts in the Terry Schivo case that blew up in their face, and in my opinion was the beginning of the end of Social Conservative movement.

Republican Senators also realize that it is likely to be atleast 20 years until they have a chance to become a chairman and have real power. Many Senators have or will resign because of that as well.

or is he, for once in the republican history, actually stepping down for a good reason?

he can't stand the racism of today's conservative movement. Don't get me wrong, I still think he's scum but he is an educated man and I think he really believes in the conservative Catholic dogma. That it applies to him not just the 'little people'.

Could this be a strategy to find a better candidate to go up against Alex Sink? The current Bill McCollum (sp?)is a
loser type, and probably just a place holder. Martinez is popular in Florida. Hopefully being a quitter will work against him.

in the Republican Party having any real meaning other than obtaining power just for power's sake and their "values" aren't in line with his own anymore if they ever were.

I also believe the Republican Party's myopic focus on purity and foundation of greed, fear, hatred and exclusion will whittle the Party down to the point of fitting on a Ritz Cracker.

So it could be a combination of exhaustion from compromising principles combined with the clear logic and common sense of seeing the writing on the wall; regarding that Party's future.

Crist is too savvy to make such a self-serving appointment. He will appoint a caretaker. He has positioned himself very well for this office. He is an odds on favorite to win his primary. His only real opponent Marco Rubio Does not have the name recognition that attracts likely voters. Let me be clear I am not supporting him merely observing what the temp is in Florida. I would love to have a D solid next to Florida. Perhaps Kendrick Meek can steal some of Crist's fire. Nov 2010 is far enough away for Meek to gain popularity and create a brand. He had better get started soon. Maybe Obama will step in but I don't think he will until after the primary and by then it may be too late.

be disgusted by the GOP treatment of Sotomayor.

That said, Martinez still has an obligation to complete the job he accepted.

And if he has problems with his party he should say so!!

:puke:

MARK FOLEY???? :wow:

Good riddance, Tool.

to become irrelevant. But with a pension, healthcare and a carrer as a lobbiest looming largely in the near future.

Am I getting prescient?

n/t

Source: WPTV.com

Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) will not return to the Senate after its August recess.

CNN cites several Republican sources close to the senator.

Gov. Charlie Crist would be responsible for appointing someone to finish Martinez' term that continues until 2011.


Read more: http://www.wptv.com/content/breakingnews/story/senator-mel-martinez-to-resign/w3Ip1qQiYU2iYmRf3ySG4w.cspx

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Chain-Gang Charlie cannot appoint himself for this position. I think something big is gonna happen with Mel Martinez. I don't know what, but why would he resign 2 years before his term expires?? He already was not going to seek re-election . . .

:P

(And do we even know if Martinez HAS kids?)

Incumbents have a big advantage in elections, even if they've only been in 1 1/2 years.

When oh when, oh when?

There are already TWO other posts in Breaking News on this story posted early this MORNING.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4004729&mesg_id=4004729
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4004901&mesg_id=4004901

It's a good idea to do a search on the full Latest Breaking News list before posting.
To do a search on the list you just have to do a Control F.

nevermind.

:shrug: :shrug:

Funny how the gop's efforts to appoint "diverse" members to chair the party (like Steele and Martinez) have proven so awkward.