Posted on 11/13/2006 3:17:45 PM PST by MindBender26
Please pardon the Vanity, but Mel Martinez is a friend and I thought FReepers might like some insight in him.
Mel Martinez and his wife Kitty are outstanding people. Mel was born in Cuba. At 10 and 11 years old, with Castro in power, he wouldn’t take off his Catholic scapula. Other boys would hit him during basketball games because he wouldn’t disown his religion, as Castro demanded.
Mel came to this country under Kennedy’s Pedro Pan program. Imagine arriving in Miami with nothing, absolutely nothing!
I’ll cut to the chase; 25 years later, a very successful and honest lawyer, he has the happiest day of his life when he and his beautiful wife, and their kids, welcome his mother on her escape from Cuba, into the house they bought for her.
In 2000, he was recruited to run for he House seat being vacated by Bill McCollum, but said no, because he didn't want to be away from his family 3 nights a week.
When the RNC needed someone to debate Charlie Rangel, Fidel Castro's favorite congressman, on Larry King Live on CNN, we recruited Mel with just a few hours warning. Mel was the Orange County [Orlando area] mayor at the time and Rangel made the fatal mistake of underestimating him. After 60 minutes of debate, not even Larry King's "assistance" could help Rangel score even one point against Mel. In plain English, on the issue of the Elian Gonzalez, Mel Martinez had Charlie Rangel for lunch on live TV!
The Bush family saw him on Larry King and the rest is history. The president chose Mel to be HUD Secretary in his new administration, and in what is probably one of the toughest jobs in Washington, was the most successful HUD secretary was seen in 30 years.
Mel then returned to Florida and ran an uphill battle to be our senator. He beat a reasonably strong opponent, and even more importantly than that, never once veered away from his long-held principles. He is an adamant opponent of abortion, understands that the most important thing in America today is to defeat terrorism and return a sense of personal responsibility to each and every American.
I had the pleasure of flying with Mel back to Washington the day after the election. Trust me on this one, he sharp, conservative, understands the issues better than 99% of the people in Washington... and most importantly, has seen the vicious or press the nature of communism and other leftist governments up close. If there is one man in the United States that Hugo Chavez fears more than anyone else, it's Mel Martinez.... and it would be a smart if the Islamic terrorists and their fellow travelers feared him too!
There are many more wonderful things Mel has done during his career in public life, and before but I won't go into them here.
With the Hispanic vote critically important for any success in any future national election, (and growing faster than the Black vote) , the selection of Mel Martinez as a new RNC chair is a brilliant move.
Try to control yourself; while it might be important, it's not THE issue for most people.
And try not to mock others that don't agree with you.
In case you didn't notice, immigration wasn't even on the radar screen for voters this past election.
So I see; try not to presume everybody should believe exactly like you do.
Then maybe you don't get so "excited" all the time.
..I think there are some legitimate questions being asked here.
Did he prevent off shore drilling for Florida?
Is he pro-amnesty?
Please respond.
Many of us feel genuinely hung out to dry since last Tuesday....
..we're tired of game playing...
..and we want honest answers.
Shame on you and me! We settle for 90% and Rick Santorum's lifetime was a measley 88%! Damn rino.
This doesn't seem like the right move. Martinez already has a full time job in the Senate.
OH GOD, another linguine spine!...HAVEN'T WE SUFFERED ENOUGH!!!
How is it illogical when you mock somebody's wife and I ask to see yours or your wife's?
You can shell it out but not take it?
What experience does he have in a role like this? Has he been in a similar position of responsibility in the Florida Republican Party?
THANK GOD NO. WAS COUNTY MAYOR IN ORLANDO.
This role requires being able to do streetfighting every single day not just against the Democrats but the media. Rangel is a doddering old fool - how well is he prepared for this?
VERY GOOD IN THIS AREA.
He's a full time Senator. This is a full time job. Does the man intend not to sleep or what?
MEL IS A MAN ON A MISSION BUT YOU ARE RIGHT, THAT IS AN ISSUE.
Fundraising abilities. Well, how is he at that?
IN MY EXPERIENCE, SECOND ONLY TO BARBARA BUSH AND MEL SEMBLER ON THE $ ARENA.
Isn't that like being "a little pregnant"?
Yeah, I read the article; did you before you started screaming about illegals, or does that just automatically come off your keyboard on any and all threads?
And I notice you totally ignored the FACTS I posted to you.
But never mind; none so blind and all that...
Contol myself?
whatever....
anyway... I was responding to a post where that poste was the one mocking someone.....
this is not a single issue...
this effects our entire nation in many ways....
try debating on the facts and topics....not spin and insults.
open borders, amnesty, and inviting this group into the elctorate is horrible for this country, and it not a single issue....
*Snicker*
Martinez is a RINO and NOT a friend of conservatives. Bush might as well have appointed John McVain or Teddy Chappaquiddick to run the RNC as Mel Martinez.
Marinez is a crappy choice and is another nail in the coffin of the Republican Party.
I'm going to be sick!
Well, ya kinda hafta win elections to change anything.
That certainly is what you Border Freaks do 24/7
I think perhaps you should take the mote from your own eye here.
susie
Maybe he will be the answer for the RNC. An avowed anti-Communist should set the moonbats off, in any case.
Thanks again!
It's important to YOU, but not to everybody.
I am debating facts; you're the one screaming in CAPS all over your posts.
RINO?
A pretty good ACU rating, if you asked me.
Nice job outing yourself as a bigot who assumes 'minorities' think a certain way.
I guess I'm done trying to have a civil discussion with you.
susie
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.