Is Rosario Marin the "Cat's Meow?"

This past Veterans Day, at a local event sponsored by the High Desert Republican Women, Federated, honoring America’s brave fighting men and women of the Armed Forces, I and other supporters were also privileged to witness firsthand the preliminary candidacy of, quite possibly, the GOP’s best shot at beating U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer in November of next year.

This apparent no-name is nothing of the sort, for any of the bills in your wallet or purse right now are most likely autographed by this past presidential appointee. She is Rosario Marin and, not unlike Arnold Schwarzenneger’s meteoric rise in Golden State politics, she is already being heartily welcomed by some of the body electorate for articulating the same popular rage of a growing people’s revolt against “business as usual” shenanigans in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

This former Secretary of the Treasury, and highest-ranking Hispanic woman in the Bush administration, recently boasted to us that she is the odds-on favorite to unseat Sen. Boxer. And, why not? After all, in the wacky world that is American politics, where gender, race and cultural affiliation continue to weigh heavily in any campaign, Rosario Marin appears to have a winning combination: She’s a woman, an Hispanic, an immigrant, and possesses an impressive track record in both the private and public sectors. To add, I can personally attest to an air of charisma, humility and resolve that seem to emanate from her when she speaks—qualities so that are so vital to draw others to your campaign these days.

So why should the party of Abe Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan feel almost giddy about its prospects to boot Boxer out and replace her with a viable and former Bush-appointee Republican? Well, maybe it’s because they believe that the California GOP has finally stumbled upon a campaign strategy that works well in the 21st century. In a society where the more things change, the more they stay the same, conservative and moderate Republicans, alike, are getting the hint that compromise is not so much a dirty word as it is a key component that Democrats have been successfully employing for quite some time—from election to election—here on the predominantly Left Coast.

This is an imperative point, I believe, to keep in mind for conservatives, in particular, who might enthusiastically embrace Marin’s conservative fiscal side, but have reservations about her moderate social views. Folks, you’ll never find that “perfect” candidate, and the view from the inside of the store is always better than the one outside the store window, if you know what I mean.

Besides, when you get right down to it, politics is nothing but compromise—at least to one degree or another. It’s high time we in the GOP face the music and strike up the band.

Is Rosario Marin the bona fide “cat’s meow” candidate for U.S. Senator from California of which the GOP has been searching for, but has failed to find, for a decade and more? Can she roar loud enough between now and through the March primaries and November general election to capture the attention and the tallies necessary for victory? Who knows? Time will tell. But, the timing seems to be right on the money for California Republicans to run a candidate like Marin who looks like she can outreach what has been reported as Boxer’s fading appeal to the voters.

Perhaps an early campaign slogan and bumper sticker say it best about Rosario Marin’s commitment to becoming the state’s next senatorial representative in D.C.—“Adios, Boxer.”

She’s been to Washington and back, and lived to tell about it; so, whatever catch-phrase you prefer, let’s hope that voters up and down the state embrace this golden opportunity to elect a credible candidate and proven public servant who is of the people, by the people, for the people.

Then, all that will remain will be to send flowers and an appropriate political eulogy to the vanquished Senator Barbara Boxer and her ilk—the same salutation we recently left for Gov. Davis at the polls—“Adios and Good-bye!”

I've revised an earlier letter to the editor about Rosario Marin's potential run for the U.S. Senate, and unseat current Sen. Barbara Boxer from California.

Hope it all makes sense and possibly see's the printer's ink at one of our local newspapers in So Cal.

I appreciate your comments--whether pro or con.

Thanks,

DesertGOP Victorville, CA

I like Rosario. My concern is whether or not she can win the Republican primary. The same process that brought us Bill Simon. The same process that Arnold avoided. Our party's problem in California reminds me of the Democrats' problem nationally - how to select a moderate candidate when the base is (relatively) extreme. As far as meow-ing is concerned, I believe Marin will be VP material for us down the road.

In the past Marin's immigration views have been pro-illegal. That's a problem for me.

As far as exterior packaging, it would be difficult for Boxer to demonize her. She doesn't have the "evil, angry, white conservative man" stereotype which Boxer will undoubtedly use against another opponent.

Whoever runs against Boxer needs to have charisma and relate well to people.

Secretary of the Treasury

No, I believe that Paul O'Neill and John Snow have been Bush's two Treasury Secretaries. Marin served as Treasurer, a far less important position.

What else has Marin done?

A la Bill Richardson, Rosario Marin has played up her Mexican background. She seems quite good at plugging into the Latino community in that way. And she signs our money. That should be enough to unseat Boxer. On illegal immigration, I don't like it. I don't support it. But if we try to legislate the problem into oblivion, we'll be right back at the post prop 187 days. That good-hearted attempt to stem the tide set the republicans back 10 years in California. We are only just now recovering.

Marin was U.S. Treasurer, a figurehead position good for window-dressing appointees.

Secretary of the Treasury is quite different. Marin is great on appeal, but shallow in substance once you get past her immigrant stump speech.

Tony Strickland '04.

Rosario is a great US Senate candidate, I worked with her when she was the US Treasurer. She is very personable and very knowledgeable of economic issues. Having been a spokesperson for the department, I believe Rosario's first hand experience with President's economic stimulus plans will be an asset to California. As Gov Arnold said, we need to bring more business back to California. Did you know that even U-Haul rentals to California is only 1/3 the cost of one going out of state?

Rosario's immigrant background will also generate the support of new Americans in California, which accounts for the majority of Cal's population. Let's face the facts, no one likes illegal immigration but there is no immediate solution without political cost.

Rosario may be the solution to Boxer's misguided leadership and I wish her the best.

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