In Florida, Martinez Considers Senate Bid

Rothenberg Political Report via PoliticalWire.com ^ | 11/12/2003 | Stuart Rothenberg

[JohnnyZ]

HUD Secretary Mel Martinez "is taking yet another look at a possible Florida Senate run, and the White House seems to be encouraging him to run," according to the Rothenberg Political Report. "Word of Martinez’s interest comes on the heels of apparently inaccurate reports" that Rep. Katherine Harris (R) is likely to announce soon for the Senate. "The freshman Republican told the Report... that that is not the case."

[AuH2ORepublican]

"I have mixed feelings about Martinez because I would rather send up a more seasoned Politician like Webster or Byrd."

---

I like Webster, and until I heard that Mel Martinez was reconsidering Webster was my choice. But way back before anyone had announced, Mel Martinez was my first choice, partly because I think he's the only candidate who will certainly beat Alex Penelas (although Webster and Byrd could also beat him). But even if this is not a consideration because Deutsch and Castor appear to be the frontrunners, I think having a conservative Republican as the only Hispanic in the Senate would do wonders for our party, just as it would if we elect conservative Republican Herman Cain in Georgia and he became the only black U.S. Senator.

That being said, I would like some confirmation of Martinez's conservative bona fides. I've heard vague reports of him being pro-life and a fiscal conservative, but if someone has specific info on his stances I think it would be of interest to us all.

[JohnnyZ]

Martinez has no public voting record except as a County Commissioner

I have five county commissioners and I know how conservative each is, based on their voting record, public comments, meeting them, opinions of those "in the know", etc.

Compassionate Conservative which, to those of us who've been around, know is a budget busting, big government type formerly called a Rockefeller Republican

Uh, that would be a big fat NO. Rockefeller Republicans are pretty much the opposite of compassionate conservatives.

[caltrop]

Your County Commission must have a much wider mandate than mine if you can clearly discerne how conservative each is - or we don't see the same issues as important in defining a conservative. Hint - Bill of Rights is key.

I was active in politics in the Northeast from the mid 60s to the early 90s. I've met plenty of self described Rockefeller Republicans. They all applauded bigger and expanded government - just like Compassionate Conservatives.

[JohnnyZ]

They all applauded bigger and expanded government - just like Compassionate Conservatives.

Compassionate conservatives are Christian conservatives who smile instead of getting angry. Rockefeller Republicans dislike religion and if they have a redeeming quality it is on the fiscal side.

[BlackRazor]

I think that John Thune will run in South Dakota.

I'm actually becoming more convinced that Thune will not run for the Senate again. I think he's either going to try to regain his House seat or sit out 2004. That's just speculation on my part, though.

[JohnnyZ]

In 1994, [Martinez] ran for lieutenant governor of Florida as running mate to Ken Connor, a state and national leader of the Right to Life movement. The ticket lost in the primary, but the race helped build political reputations for both men.

I think that tells you something. He's a big time trial lawyer like Lindsay Graham and Richard Shelby and I think Pete Sessions, so he might be weak on tort reform, but it appears he's a solid social conservative.

[caltrop]

My definition of conservatism doesn't include increasing the size and scope of government and increased taxes or deficits to cover the costs - regardless of whether they're smiling or frowning and regardless of the depth of their religious conviction or religion.

[JohnnyZ]

"As chairman, he advocated home ownership programs for low-income families and kept a campaign promise of lowering property taxes."

I think Mel is the man to run and win. We can't blow this senate seat like we blew it in 2000.

[caltrop]

I agree this race is important and we need to win. IMHO, the only way to do that is to have a real, and very open, Republican primary. If JEB makes the choice, like he did in 2000, it'll only help the Democrats.

[JohnnyZ]

IMHO, the only way to do that is to have a real, and very open, Republican primary.

I don't know that it's the only way, but I agree that especially in this instance a primary will be helpful, and especially for Martinez. Jumping into a race when the incumbent decides to chuck it won't seem sporting to the candidates (& their supporters) who've put themselves out there already, so a fair fight should put at least some of that to rest.

Some of the "annointing" controversies I agree with, and some I don't. There was a lot of kibitzing in NC, for example, when Liddy got the nod, but she had 50% +1 votes sewn up in the primary from the moment she announced. Any run against her would have been futile so it would have been silly to waste the time and money.

[Pubbie]

"I think that John Thune will run in South Dakota."

What makes you say that???

[rrrod]

hope we can all get some stand up republicans elected!!! no more spineless republicans!

[Pubbie]

I don't know, if he doesn't want to be a Senator then he might not have the Fire in belly to go all the way.

Johnnie Byrd definately has the fire, but I admit I won't be shedding any tears if Martinez does run.

[Pubbie]

Well I think Martinez or Johnnie Byrd could take Graham's seat, however I am leaning more to Byrd than Martinez.

[Clintonfatigued]

A few months ago, I spoke with a South Dakota Republican official. He said that party insiders believed Thune was more likely to run than not, but felt that voters were tired of political ads & news and wanted a respite. Also, Thune himself was pretty exhausted after the long campaign.

[Pubbie]

Great news (I also believe Thune is running, but I wanted to see what your reasoning was.)

How high ranking was this official?

[Kuksool]

At this moment, I prefer Thune to run for the House seat. Whoever occupies that House seat will be the next Senator. I don't want Heresth to win. Janklow really messed things up for the GOP. With big GOP Senate victories in the future, perhaps Tom Daschle and Tim Johnson will become deeply saddened and not run in 2008, 2010.

[BlackRazor]

Here's what PoliticalWire excerpted from Roll Call earlier this week:

Former Rep. John Thune (R-SD) "is coming under increasing pressure from the two Republican campaign committees to make a decision soon about his political future," Roll Call reports. Speculation increases that Thune will not challenge Sen. Tom Daschle but will instead run for the House seat currently held by embattled Rep. Bill Janklow.

"While Thune has been seen as a near-lock for a Senate race for months, even his closest aides now admit that he is weighing both options equally — and could wind up sitting on the political sidelines altogether in 2004."

[Clintonfatigued]

That could be true, but I want to be rid of Tom Daschle NOW! The sooner he's gone, the less damage he can do to the country. But there is another, equally valid, point. Tom Daschle is more controversial and polarizing than he's ever been before, and therefore more vulnerable. By 2010, he'll have time to repair his image and the window of opportunity will be closed. In electoral politics, timing is as important as strategy.

[Pubbie]

I read an excerpt by Stuart Rothenberg, who also works for Roll Call, that Thune does NOT want to return to the House at all.

It said that either Thune would run for Senate, or not run for anything.