Posted on 01/20/2007 5:33:15 AM PST by kellynla
WASHINGTON — Over a smattering of opposition, U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida was elected today to be general chairman of the Republican Party.
Martinez, 60, a native of Cuba, is the first Hispanic to hold the largely honorary position that has not existed in recent years.
Mike Duncan of Kentucky was chosen to be the Republican National Committee's chairman and will be in charge of the party's day-to-day operations.
In accepting the position, Martinez said: "I am truly humbled by the opportunity that you give me and the responsibility that you place upon me."
A handful of delegates objected to Martinez' selection because of his support last year for legislation that would have allowed some illegal immigrants to obtain legal status and possibly citizenship. Members of the Texas delegation had taken a position that they would oppose Martinez.
Some delegates also objected to Martinez's past history as head of the Florida trial lawyers. Republicans have generally supported tort reforms that would reduce the impact of class action and malpractice suits.
Martinez's selection was an overt acknowledgement of the GOP's efforts to reach out to minority populations, particularly the growing number of Hispanic voters — many of whom turned away from Republican candidates last year in the wake of anti-immigration legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
A large part of his role will be to reach out to independent and ethnic voters, Martinez said earlier this week in an interview with Florida reporters.
"I talk about the message that the party of Lincoln, of (Theodore) Roosevelt and Reagan being a party that is very, very much a party that Hispanic Americans and that African Americans both can be very comfortable in and I hope that is the kind of message I can convey so that our party can be a majority party," Martinez said.
Noting that independents sharply turned away from GOP candidates last November and slightly turned away in 2004, Martinez said they also will be a prime target.
"When they begin to vote away from you, then that becomes a habit, and I think it is very, very important that we recapture the independent voters and get them voting with us," he said.
Despite the party's drubbing at the polls in November, Martinez said he did not think that represented a philosophical shift in the electorate.
"I think it was more about a combination of factors — Iraq and the obvious number of people who did not live up to their public trust — but we're still a right-of-center country and I think our party speaks to that right-of-center population."
Martinez admitted that the war in Iraq is a serious problem for Republicans, but said he hoped the public — and his fellow Republicans — would give President Bush's proposed troop increase a chance.
In agreeing to take on the role of general chairman, Martinez said he made it clear to Bush and other party leaders that his primary responsibility would be as Florida's junior senator and that he did not intend to travel around the country every weekend raising money and making speeches.
Martinez, who has a teen-age son, also said he wants to be home on weekends to coach basketball in Orlando.
But he said he did intend to make appearances at major party functions and on weekend television talk shows to promote the Republican viewpoint.
Martinez said his job would be "to deliver a message that conveys to the American people that we are a party that has renewed itself and that has answers to their everyday problems.
"And then, if we make that message be compelling, we will begin to be rewarded with the opportunity to govern again, in the Congress."
With numerous announced and potential presidential candidate jockeying for position, Martinez said he and Duncan would try to make sure the party remains neutral until a nominee is selected, but then be able to provide enough money to wage a winning campaign.
Martinez said he would not be involved in efforts by Florida and other states to move up their primary dates in order to have a greater role in the presidential selection process.
Florida could benefit from his position, Martinez said, because it puts him in the congressional leadership circle and boosts his status among his colleagues.
"It's going to be an opportunity for me to be able to play a more vital role in helping the White House shape policy and things like that. So from that standpoint, I think there are some real benefits that come from that that I did not fully realize at the time I said, yes, I'll do it."
It's hard for me to believe that we will continue to support and elect people that will give our country away. America, as we knew it, is no more. Face the facts folks; in twenty years we will be living in a much different land.
Grand Old Pusses
"They still don't get it."
Oh, they get it, alright. It is we who do not get it.
Conservatism appears to be in the way of GOP and Democrat priorities.
Are there pods in the basement of the White House? WTF is going on? We stuck with the Republicans, but they haven't stuck with us. We better get used to being on the losing side of elections for a long time.
It wouldn't take much for me to jump ship for a REAL conservative party. I won't live long enough for someone to be able to repair the damage they've done just in the last 2 years.
Where did that RINO leadership come from? How do you get on the Republican National Committee? According to Republican Party rules, each state is represented by one male and one female member, chosen by the State party. From what pool does the State party select it's two representatives? From the State Central Committee. How do people get on the State Central Committee? They are elected by Republicans during off-year primaries (partisan elections). Who gets nominated to run for State Central Committee? Typically, members of county Central Committees, often the County Central Committee Chairman.
The point is, the place to start is your county Central Committee. Granted, capturing one County Central Committee is only a start, but every one of us lives in a county somewhere. Get off your duff and get either yourself or someone you trust onto your county Central Committee. Then work with people in other precincts in your county to get the whole Committee loaded with people you trust. Then get those people onto the State Central Committee.
It will take time and effort, but it took time and effort on the part of the RINOs to get control of the Party. We can take it back if people work at it instead of whining.
Michael Steele or CA state Senator Tom McClintock should have gotten the job.
Not quite right, he was against amnesty before he was elected, for it after he won. Basically he just lies.
"In agreeing to take on the role of general chairman, Martinez said he made it clear to Bush and other party leaders that his primary responsibility would be as Florida's junior senator and that he did not intend to travel around the country every weekend raising money and making speeches."
Which is why this is a no-substance appointment.
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