Posted on 08/11/2009 8:57:30 AM PDT by IbJensen
Martinez resignation before term expires is disappointing.
Martinez resignation before term expires is disappointing.
Sen. Mel Martinez makes early exit
Sen. Mel Martinez's decision Friday to cut his term short by 17 months caps a historic though unfulfilled career for the first Cuban-American senator, while handing Gov. Charlie Crist a unique opportunity to choose a temporary successor as he runs for the job himself.
``My priorities have always been my faith, my family and my country and at this stage in my life, and after nearly 12 years of public service in Florida and Washington, it's time I return to Florida and my family,'' the one-term senator told supporters Friday in Orlando after a flight from Washington, D.C., where he told staffers about his sudden, though long-rumored, decision.
Martinez, 62, who said in December that he would not seek reelection in 2010 but repeatedly rejected rumors he would quit early, said, ``There's no impending reason, it's only my desire to move on and get on with the rest of my life.''
GOP's Mel Martinez to step down, letting Crist make pick
TALLAHASSEE- Sen. Mel Martinez told friends and supporters Friday in an e-mail that he'll step down from the Senate as soon as a replacement is appointed to fill out his term.
``My priorities have always been my faith, my family and my country and at this stage in my life, and after nearly twelve years of public service in Florida and Washington, it's time I return to Florida and my family,'' said Martinez, who had already ruled out a run for re-election in 2010.
In an extraordinary turn of events, Gov. Charlie Crist, the leading Republican to replace Martinez in the U.S. Senate, will have the power to appoint someone to fill the remainder of Martinez's term.
Sen. Mel Martinez told friends and supporters Friday in an e-mail that he'll step down from the Senate as soon as a replacement is appointed to fill out his term.
``My priorities have always been my faith, my family and my country and at this stage in my life, and after nearly 12 years of public service in Florida and Washington, it's time I return to Florida and my family,'' said Martinez, who had already ruled out a run for reelection in 2010.
In an extraordinary turn of events, Gov. Charlie Crist, the leading Republican to replace Martinez in the U.S. Senate, will have the power to appoint someone to fill the remainder of Martinez's term. •
Republican Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida will resign from the Senate this fall, more than a year before his term ends, according to several GOP sources.
Martinez planned a Friday afternoon announcement in Florida to officially divulge his plans. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to do so before his announcement.
Martinez already had said he would not seek re-election, but had fended off rumors that he would give up the seat early. • GOP sources: Sen. Martinez to resign GOP sources: Sen. Martinez to resign
Republican Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida will resign from the Senate this fall, more than a year before his term ends, according to several GOP sources.
Martinez planned a Friday afternoon announcement in Florida to officially divulge his plans. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to do so before his announcement.
Martinez already had said he would not seek re-election, but had fended off rumors that he would give up the seat early.
By the time Sen. Mel Martinez announced late last year that he would not stand for reelection, it was clear that he had lost his appetite for the job. There is no shame in that -- juggling responsibilities to his party, his constituents and his family obviously took a toll.
But calling it quits after one term is a far cry from calling it quits before the term is over. No doubt, holding a Senate seat when the other party controls the majority and also controls the White House can be frustrating. But that's true for dozens of senators at any given time. It does not justify stepping down before finishing the job.
Sen. Martinez's resignation is disappointing for a variety of reasons.
As a candidate four years ago, he waged an aggressive, no-holds-barred campaign against Bill McCollum in the primary and Betty Castor in the general election. It was one of the most bitter and divisive electoral campaigns in the state's recent history.
Those who worked hard for Mr. Martinez in that effort in 2004 have a right to feel let down. At a minimum, voters and campaign workers expect their candidate to complete the term of office.
It is disappointing, as well, because after a rocky start Mr. Martinez had created a strong, independent record of common sense and moderation that well served the people of Florida. His vote for Sonia Sotomayor last week, preceded by a rebuke to colleagues on both sides of the aisle for the extreme partisanship that Supreme Court nominations bring forth, is a good example of Sen. Martinez at his best.
That sensibility would have been important in the upcoming fight over healthcare reform. It's too bad he won't be around to take part in it. He had also become a respected voice on immigration reform, another volatile issue likely to come up again before the end of the six-year Senate term that someone else will now finish.
Gov. Crist made the right decision by announcing that he would not name himself to replace Sen. Martinez, even though he is running for the Senate seat in next year's election. Such an overtly self-serving action would not have gone over well with the state's voters or political establishment.
Mr. Crist has opted for a caretaker appointment and floated a number of names as possible choices.
He needs to select someone who can hit the ground running and who will not feel beholden to any faction or individual during the relatively brief term of the appointment. The legislative agenda is crowded with issues of vital importance and Florida must have strong representation to make its voice heard. The Miami Herald
Crist is an absolute jackass. One single action proved this. When he took several billion dollars out of the state coffers to buy the US Sugar Corporations small section of the everglades to turn it into a RINO's alligator paradise it proved he was a true nutter!
Marco Rubio is the MAN!
Go Rubio!
I think it would be amusing if he picked Jeb Bush.
I guess he left out the part about "since I'm about to get nailed in an extra-marital affair."
Perhaps if Christ appoints himself, he can get caught up in his own seamy affair, although in his case, it'd probably be with a young man.
Jeb was marginally better than his presidente brother, but we need CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN!
Just watched Mythbusters last night and it turns out that “hitting the ground running” is less efficient than starting from a dead stop. They tested with actual people running, bicycles, and a car.
Just FYI.
I'm no fan of Martinez, but his sudden decision to resign early raises some eyebrows . . . . . and questions. What does zero have on him that has caused him to quit early instead of waiting to the end of his term? Is there something in his background that zero's army of attorneys dug up to "influence" his votes on upcoming issues? Has he been messing around with a mistress up in Washington??
Something about this smells "fishy" and I'm reporting it to "flag@whitehouse.gov"!
Go Marco!!!!!
Perhaps Martinez discovered that he has a conscience and would speak out on the evil Obamacare.
Rubio is a fine man.....solid to the bone! I fully support him.
I’ve already contributed to Rubio’s campaign. He’ll be a most welcome contribution to Washington and will dilute the bevvy of weasels!
I kinda doubt it. That would come under the heading "wishful thinking" for Florida conservatives. Martinez has been a VERY disappointing senator for Florida and was, essentially, selected by Jeb Bush to be George 43's sock puppet.
He was either planning to lead a major opposition to something zero wanted and they shut him down with the dirt that was dug up on him, or (possibly) he has a health problem that is life threatening and doesn't want to go public.
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