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.
I didn't know FR could be used for a campaign whistle stop under the guise of "vanity".
I also do not want amnesty but I still do not understand the mindset that Republicans must be held accountable but not Democrats. Democrats will be even worse.
I'm not sure why you are insulting me. Do you feel better now?
susie
The fix is in--we're getting shamnesty no matter what we (and the vast majority or citizens) want. The Bush/Mehlman/Martinez GOP is a disaster.
>I disagree. I don't see where minorities care a whit when it comes to a Republican being a minority.
Don't make the mistake of linking the Black vote with the Hispanic vote. There is nothing we can do to get the Black vote. They didn;t even vote for JC Watts!
The Hispanic vote, expecially the emerging middle class Hispanic vote can be solid R, because we (should) uphold the same values their predominant religion tells them is so important.
The day we stop chasing the Black vote, we will get more White, Brown and Yellow votes.
And whiplash insurance!
Did you read the article by any chance?
And I see you're still insulting me. Goodness, if you had any kind of valid point you wouldn't feel it necessesary.
susie
Huh? You are being completely illogical.
Last year, Rick Santorum was a 92%. Is he an even bigger RINO?
You know the rules. When speaking of another poster, make sure you ping that poster.
Thanks for your insight!
His character and work-ethic are the most important considerations for the job.
This a sop to the open-borders, amnesty crowd. Once again, the GOP learns the wrong lesson.
Thank you for that post, as now I see where you're coming from. I disagree with you, but thank you for posting what you think.
susie
In both instances you mention, it was my conservative political principls that were at issue....so I guess you were complimenting me...or do you even know?...and the mere fact that you happen to know Mel Martinez is utterly irrelevant to whether or not he will be effective...you knowing him certainly doesnt negate the very real fact that he will be a part time Chairman and not a full time one...but,hey,he knows you so that more than makes up for it
Sorry about that, I got a little excited.
susie
Correction: one-issue Repubs are kind of dumb.
It is absolutely vital that the Republican Party get its act together for 2008 - Hillary CANNOT CANNOT CANNOT be allowed to lead the Free World. Martinez can be a lovely fellow - I have no doubt he's a good man - but still not be the right man for the job.
Regards, Ivan
I'll grant you: Mel Martinez is better than Howard Dean. So what? Even the dems are running from Dean.
So you know him-- BFD. His appointment signals amnesty to me. I voted for him.... he's a non entity
Let's just hope and pray that the Rump Parliament in the House sticks together and votes 100 percent against amnesty, and that they can get a few Dems to go with them, or you better start learning how to consult for Dems, because there won't be anyone else to work for.
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