Breaking: Mel Martinez to replace Ken Mehlman as RNC chairman
posted at 3:08 pm on November 13, 2006 by Allahpundit
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Just across at CNN. Looking for details. Standby.
Update: Presumably this means he’s leaving the Senate and Florida Gov.-elect Charlie Crist will appoint his replacement. If so, that’s all to the good: Martinez has been a disaster on immigration. Kyl’s prospects for a filibuster just increased by one vote, assuming Crist chooses wisely.
Update: I figured it was too good to be true. He’s accepted the position — but he’s not leaving the Senate.
Under the arrangement, Martinez will remain in office and serve as the party’s lead spokesman as well as take a major role in fundraising and political outreach, while RNC General Counsel Robert (Mike) Duncan will oversee the committee’s day-to-day responsibilities.
Update: As for the DNC, get used to Dean-o. Harold Ford says he’s not interested.
Update: Hot Air commenters agree: it’s an awful pick, transparently aimed at appealing to pro-amnesty Hispanic voters. If the GOP goes ahead and puts Boehner and Blunt back in place in the minority leadership, you’re looking at a very dire electoral situation in 2008.
Update: Via reader Enoxo, I think Darth Vader speaks for all of us.
Update: The boss says nooooooooooo…
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To quote Bill Murray from Stripes after his GF walked out on him … “and then, depression set in”.
thirteen28 on November 13, 2006 at 3:10 PM
Guh? I just voted for Mel back in 2004 and have been quite underwhelmed since.
Does that mean he’s leaving the Senate?
frankj on November 13, 2006 at 3:11 PM
Does that mean we are pandering to the hispanics instead of the blacks by nominating him? I can’t keep up ;)
lorien1973 on November 13, 2006 at 3:12 PM
Honestly, I think this is a better choice than Michael Steele. African-Americans are not going to switch to the Republican party, but Catholic Hispanics are much more likely to turn Republican.
I really like Michael Steele, though.
januarius on November 13, 2006 at 3:13 PM
Frank,
I also voted for Mel, and have been incredibly unimpressed with him, especially on the amnesty-for-lawbreakers…er, immigrants…issue.
If this is true, perhaps something good can come of this. I am assuming that Martinez would step down, being unable to simultaneously serve as Senator and RNC chief. Since FL just elected a Republican governor in Charlie Crist, Crist would fill Martinez’ seat with a Republican.
Wouldn’t it be freakin’ hilarious if Crist replaced Martinez with Katherine Harris?
crushliberalism on November 13, 2006 at 3:14 PM
I voted for Mel in 2004 as well. Don’t think I’ve heard his name since.
lorien1973 on November 13, 2006 at 3:17 PM
HAHAHA. Brutal.
lorien1973 on November 13, 2006 at 3:18 PM
It’s already in his Wikipedia bio. They don’t waste time over there. Geez.
CP on November 13, 2006 at 3:19 PM
Is it possible that Jeb Bush could now end up in the Senate?
Greg Tinti on November 13, 2006 at 3:19 PM
I’m scared and disoriented.
Cary on November 13, 2006 at 3:21 PM
I saw the breaking news thing about this on the CNN website a few minutes ago, but it’s gone now … strange.
SisterToldjah on November 13, 2006 at 3:23 PM
I like Jeb or Harris for a replacement just to see the left FREAK OUT!
They love freaking out.
frankj on November 13, 2006 at 3:23 PM
I’ll cross my fingers that they jumped the gun … but I’m not optimistic. Seems that in the last couple of years we can count on the republicans taking the wrong path whenever there is a fork in the road.
thirteen28 on November 13, 2006 at 3:25 PM
I still hope this isn’t the last we see of Steele.
bookwurm322 on November 13, 2006 at 3:27 PM
He’s not leaving the Senate? Are they trying to provoke a “screw the GOP” reaction from conservatives?
The Republican Party was so successful in this last election, that they don’t even need a full time chairman?
You know, Howard Dean is looking more and more brilliant by comparison each day.
Christoph on November 13, 2006 at 3:30 PM
No. No. No. No. No.
Oh, I see - Michael Steele would have been about “pandering” and Martinez will be about “pandering”. This is the logic that got us in the loss we have now. Go jump off a bridge.
Editor on November 13, 2006 at 3:31 PM
This is terrible. Mehlman was awful on immigration, but Martinez is obviously about as bad as it gets. More candidates will be left hanging like Graf.
Alex K on November 13, 2006 at 3:32 PM
Awesome. This is nothing short of awesome. Martinez is a screw up. He’s got a flatlining 40% approval rating in Florida and he’s remaining in the senate. Good. He’ll join us on the amnesty bill and it’ll pass the senate with an easy 62-65 vote majority.
This is also excellent news because now Michael Steele is finished in American politics. No more “Man of Steele” LOL.
Grebrook on November 13, 2006 at 3:33 PM
I voted for Mel, too, but I’m afraid that he is just more of the same problem that the Republicans have been suffering from in this election cycle. He certainly doesn’t strike one as “visionary”.
SWLiP on November 13, 2006 at 3:37 PM
Seriously, you have to wonder what the logic is behind this choice if there was any logic behind it at all.
Greg Tinti on November 13, 2006 at 3:38 PM
Ok, they didn’t jump the gun … depression resumed.
God, what a horrible, horrible pick.
It really is time for a 3rd, conservative party.
F— the RNC.
thirteen28 on November 13, 2006 at 3:38 PM
Great, a new RNC chair who’s soft on illegal immigration. Obviously the election results have not deterred the GOP from its suicidal course away from its conservative principles.
infidel4life on November 13, 2006 at 3:39 PM
So amnesty is the official position of the republican party now?
lorien1973 on November 13, 2006 at 3:40 PM
Racist.
natesnake on November 13, 2006 at 3:41 PM
To quote Darth Vader…
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
I wanted to vote against Mel Martinez the next time he was up for re-election! I WANT HIM OUT OF OFFICE, not the head of the RNC!
Ugh. The RNC has lost touch with its conservative base. So much for 2008.
Enoxo on November 13, 2006 at 3:41 PM
At HUD, he almost killed the mortgage brokerage business. This guy is an empty suit. The republicans just don’t get it.
voiceofreason on November 13, 2006 at 3:42 PM
Martinez is a weak pick.
Maybe Steele will be tapped for that cabinet position? That would likely be the political end for him.
I suspect a DNC mole.
Or Rove has dementia.
Or diarrhea.
natesnake on November 13, 2006 at 3:45 PM
Screw the RNC. I’m goin’ home.
Editor on November 13, 2006 at 3:47 PM
That’s it. I’m starting my own party.
frankj on November 13, 2006 at 3:49 PM
I’m just simply pissed. :-(
SouthernGent on November 13, 2006 at 3:49 PM
We expect Superman.
We get Milquetoast.
natesnake on November 13, 2006 at 3:51 PM
Ha ha. Funny AP. :P
I’m still sad. :(
Enoxo on November 13, 2006 at 3:52 PM
Plain and simple, conservatives are f—ed - they no longer have a political party that represents them.
Martinez is an establishment pick by Bush and co. and is yet another stab in our backs, coming on the heels of so many stabs that they lost their majority status. It is clear that Bush and the RNC establishment is hell bent on selling us out to illegal aliens while and now are also going to give in to “realism” in the war. Meanwhile, it looks as if the House might just go back to the same old leadership as before - that which gave us enough earmarks to embarrass Mike Tyson.
AllahPundit, it looks like your pessimism has been justified.
We. Are. F—ed.
thirteen28 on November 13, 2006 at 3:53 PM
Nooooooooooooooooooooo What happened to Mr Steele? Nooooooooooooooooooooooo, not Mel!!!
CrimsonFisted on November 13, 2006 at 3:54 PM
Remember this?
Link.
Greg Tinti on November 13, 2006 at 3:54 PM
It’s been 50 minutes and I’m still not over this. ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME?!
Editor on November 13, 2006 at 3:59 PM
Yep, it’s becoming clearer and clearer that the Republicans have learned nothing from this last election. Oh well, get ready for more of the same results in ‘08.
Benaiah on November 13, 2006 at 3:59 PM
My experience thus far (2004 and 2006) in Central Florida GOTV suggests that I know more about grass-roots Republicans than the leadership. Either that, or Martinez was picked for reasons other than perceived pandering to “Hispanics,” whatever they are.
My experience in Florida is that there are no demographic entities known as Hispanics. There are Cuban-Americans, Puerto Ricans (American by birth), Dominican-Americans, and (yes) Mexican-Americans. Within a generation they are all Floridians, united by their common dislike for New York transplants .
Sometimes they have common interests, and sometimes they don’t. I can tell you that the Puerto Rican activists I met during GOTV don’t like Martinez any more than I do. And why should they? If anything, they have cultural reasons to oppose illegal Mexican immigration more than I do (reasons related to dialects of Spanish and other cultural-chauvinism issues).
Tallahasse and Washington will be hearing from the base on this one. Should be fun.
Anton on November 13, 2006 at 4:00 PM
Now I know how Zell Miller felt. The Republican Party has left me.
midir on November 13, 2006 at 4:00 PM
Martinez?! Mel?! Freaking?! Martinez?! I’m beyond disgust. A dog with a sign over its head could do a better job, and formulate a better immigration proposal than did Martinez! He’s gotta go. Mel’s gotta go, and Chain Gang Charlie’s gotta plug Jeb in there. Or Harris.
I was looking forward to voting for the dog with the sign in the 2010 primary. This is bad.
Kid from Brooklyn on November 13, 2006 at 4:02 PM
Yep, the GOP has left us.
Fortunately, there’s the Constitution Party a waitin’!
Join me in starting grassroots branches of it all across the country. Please.
Let’s send a message.
y2church on November 13, 2006 at 4:03 PM
Let’s see, what other bad decisions can our leadership make…? Why not keep the hits comin’!?!
CP on November 13, 2006 at 4:04 PM
Once again, some bad news sends conservatives into near-suicidal levels of despair.
Buck up little campers. We’ll beat this slope…together.
Slublog on November 13, 2006 at 4:05 PM
Further evidence that the Republican Party is really no better than the Democrats; nothing more than the opposite side of the big-government coin. Mark my words, the elevation of the amnesty-panderer is the beginning of the end.
Kid from Brooklyn on November 13, 2006 at 4:05 PM
I am assuming this is some type of strategic plan to replace him with someone like Jeb.
Ian on November 13, 2006 at 4:06 PM
This reminds me of A Series of Unfortunate Events.
natesnake on November 13, 2006 at 4:07 PM
I just saw this. You HAVE to be kidding me.
americanpundit on November 13, 2006 at 4:08 PM
“Lane, what are you doing?”
natesnake on November 13, 2006 at 4:08 PM
What part of losing both houses of Congress leads the Republicans to believe the best move is to go with a part-tim RNC chairman, especially one like Mel Martinez?
Holy hell - what the eff is wrong with these people???
Athena on November 13, 2006 at 4:08 PM
How much more screwed up can this party get ?
DoctorDentons on November 13, 2006 at 4:08 PM
“A dog with a sign over its head could do a better job, and formulate a better immigration proposal than did Martinez! ”
At least the dog wouldn’t make immigration worse in this country.
americanpundit on November 13, 2006 at 4:09 PM
How are we benefited by Grebrook’s presence among us?
Kralizec on November 13, 2006 at 4:09 PM
They might hear the base, but they won’t listen to it. That should be apparrent by now.
thirteen28 on November 13, 2006 at 4:10 PM
He reminds us of what we aspire not to be.
natesnake on November 13, 2006 at 4:11 PM
“Lane, what are you doing?”
Hee. A fellow 80s nerd.
Slublog on November 13, 2006 at 4:11 PM
Athena, I agree. Having a part-time chairman at this juncture makes absolutely no sense.
CP on November 13, 2006 at 4:12 PM
Thanks, Charles Demar.
Unfortunately, I don’t think we will beat this slope for a while, as it is painfully obvious that the republican “leadership” has learned absolutely nothing from what happened last Tuesday and is determined to f— it up even more.
thirteen28 on November 13, 2006 at 4:13 PM
He tickles me. He’s our own little Autorantic Virtual Moonbat.
He needs to do better with the Halliburton references, though.
Allahpundit on November 13, 2006 at 4:13 PM
Of course. A Hispanic.
From Bush’s meeting in the Oval Office with his new best friends …
Blue ties?
It’s getting more sickening each hour. Yet we’re not supposed to get the feeling that Bush is actually enjoying this loss?
It all fits together like the pieces of a puzzle …
And then inter-connects with other puzzles …
And others …
And others …
And just keeps on going until it all makes sense.
Gregor on November 13, 2006 at 4:13 PM
My views on immigration policy aren’t as hard core anti as the views generally espoused here, but I still think this is appalling. What a boneheaded pick!
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on November 13, 2006 at 4:15 PM
North American Union, here we come! Choo-choo!
lorien1973 on November 13, 2006 at 4:19 PM
This is disgusting. For conservatives to get what we want we are going to have to go third party or stop voting party line, that much is clear.
Is the reason both parties are so hungry for the vote because we are going to annex Mexico anyway? This seems like both parties are working together to further their own interests.
Theworldisnotenough on November 13, 2006 at 4:21 PM
Haha, you guys realize you lost the senate precisely because 10,000 voters in Montana and Missouri cast their ballots for the libertarian instead of the Republican? How does that feel? Does it burn. Now you know what 2000 felt like for the Dems.
I would think that would be enough to discourage any of you from cannibalizing your own party from the inside out. I’m certainly not going to complain if you do.
Too cliche for my taste. “No blood for oil RAHHHHH” “No bid contracts RAHHHHH”. Gets kind of annoying after a while.
Plus I don’t have to. Bush screws something up every other month so it allows Democrats to collectively move on to a new issue every 30 days.
War-Social Security Reform-Terri Schiavo-Libby-Delay/Earle Indictment-Katrina-Harriet Miers-NSA Wiretaps-Dubai Ports, etc…
Bush has worked himself into a nice groove by now. I swear, it’s as if he’s doing it on purpose, timing his screw ups to come in increments, once every ninety days. And everytime he’s just about to peak…. BOOM.
Back in December of 2005 it looked like he was gaining a little steam, then… BOOM, NSA wiretaps.
Then again in September, gaining some steam, then… BOOM. Mark Foley!
Halliburton? That’s so 3 years ago. Gotta keep up with the times, man.
Grebrook on November 13, 2006 at 4:23 PM
This place has gotten awfully defeatist of late. I’m not at all an optimist, but this place is starting to rival “The Corner” for woe is me-ism.
There’s got to be some steps we can take against this. And even if Martinez is picked, that doesn’t mean there are no options to defeat a bad immigration bill.
Come on…
Slublog on November 13, 2006 at 4:23 PM
If Libertarians were smart they’d be plotting right now. The window is opening.
Theworldisnotenough on November 13, 2006 at 4:23 PM
I’m tired of the pandering to any group! I like the idea of a new CONSERVATIVE Party! The GOP is sliding to the center and, from that position, will always lose against so-called centrist Dems.
LonelyMassRepublican on November 13, 2006 at 4:24 PM
Bush is mad at his base. He is full steam ahead to destroy the Republican Party and pass his blessed Amnesty plan.
Often wondered how many “pesos” funded his campaign for Presidency !!! Paybacks are HLLLL.
stenwin77 on November 13, 2006 at 4:24 PM
At the rate the Republican party is going, they might as well ask Ted Kennedy to be the new chairman.
Megan on November 13, 2006 at 4:25 PM
Bush: We need an RNC chair with moxy, charisma, and that in-your-face style like Dean. Someone who can fire up the base going into the ‘08 presidential election. We need someone who’s smart, elequent, and makes love to a camera lens. Who do we have that fits the bill?
Rove: Martinez.
Bush:
Rove:
Bush: Mel Martinez?
Rove:
Bush: You’re $hitting me right?
natesnake on November 13, 2006 at 4:26 PM
Well. As long as we are pandering to someone, we can all be happy right? Blacks. Hispanics. As long as they pull the lever the “right” way. Go go RNC! /sarcasm
lorien1973 on November 13, 2006 at 4:27 PM
For us to get what we want … there’s going to have to be an uprising in the streets. Conservatives have shown we’re not willing to do that. We’ve watched as the American Flag has been turned upside down and placed under a Mexican flag, and done absolutely nothing.
We’ve watched as traitors have actually used our money to build an anti-US 9/11 memorial in Arizona … and still it sits untouched.
Why?
It’s sad that our Party first failed to see the results of voting against our own in a mid-term instead of a primary, and even worse that we’ll sit on our asses and watch as our country is taken over.
You’ve got to give the left some credit. At least they’re willing to DO something to get what they want.
Gregor on November 13, 2006 at 4:28 PM
If anyone is interested, here’s the GOP email addy:
info@gop.com
americanpundit on November 13, 2006 at 4:29 PM
And their Phone #:
Phone: 202.863.8500
americanpundit on November 13, 2006 at 4:29 PM
It appears the American President is like the European rulers; he recognizes that the native people aren’t keeping up demographically, so he’s letting others in. It appears he’s determined that his country’s numbers will keep up with the growing numbers in other countries. America’s relative underpopulation appears to be ending now; if Americans don’t fill the slots, the federal government knows where to find people who will. This is Americans’ permanent vulnerability. That is, it should be obvious, now, that it doesn’t matter which party holds office; if Americans don’t reproduce in numbers sufficient to crowd others out, those others will crowd Americans out.
Kralizec on November 13, 2006 at 4:30 PM
This is exactly what we need to do in all honesty. Recognize that the Republicans have permanently left their conservative base and start over with a real conservative party.
I don’t see how anyone can look at ‘08 as a potential victory at this point and that’s especially true if the Republicans thumb their noses at their base again by putting two crooks in charge of House Republicans.
So use these two years to get a movement started. I’d bet there are a fair amount of elected Republicans that would be more than willing to jump ship at this point if a better alternative party was around.
Benaiah on November 13, 2006 at 4:30 PM
Slow down, now…taking back the Republican Party is still more plausible than trying to create a whole new conservative brand identity. Thankfully, 2008 brings a lot of new blood. I would remind my friends in SC and VA that Warner and Graham are up for re-election. choose your primary opponents wisely.
Let the RINO purge begin.
Kid from Brooklyn on November 13, 2006 at 4:32 PM
Good one AP. I definitely agree with Darth Vader. I agree with Darth Vader on most things, but that’s beside the point.
Cary on November 13, 2006 at 4:34 PM
Nope. They need to hear this now more than ever because they haven’t yet voted on House leadership. They need to know that there are a ton of conservatives that are considering leaving the party if things don’t change. They need to know that right now.
Benaiah on November 13, 2006 at 4:36 PM
Creating another party is again the wrong move. Keep in mind that all it will do is divide the vote between current GOP voters - effectively giving control to the liberals in pretty much every future election.
AGAIN … the way the process works is … you vote them out in the primaries. We need to organize as the liberals have. We need to create a national uproar with conservative voters that will boot all GOP candidates who do not vote for conservative principles.
THAT is how we will take back the Party.
Creating another Party will put an end to any thought of fixing anything.
Gregor on November 13, 2006 at 4:36 PM
Gregor - exactly. Leaving the party is a fantastic idea - if you want to split the Republican vote and ensure electoral defeat for generations.
Slublog on November 13, 2006 at 4:37 PM
Excuse me, I meant ’split the conservative vote.”
Slublog on November 13, 2006 at 4:38 PM
Those Dumb, Stupid, Bastards…
serenity on November 13, 2006 at 4:40 PM
The Aztlan Artchitect himself huh? And I said Bush wasn’t bold…
Perchant on November 13, 2006 at 4:40 PM
It just occurred to me that perhaps we are not the GOP base. We are right leaning political junkies. We may only constitute 5% of the GOP base in terms of current political awareness.
If we polled GOP voters across America, how many people outside of their constituency would know who Martinez is? Steele? 10%? 15%? We are the GOP minority.
Not that this changes anything. Martinez is still a weak RNC chair. The GOP is not listening to us because our voice is too small.
natesnake on November 13, 2006 at 4:42 PM
Interesting what do think would happen to Republican responsiveness if the Libertarian got 50,000 votes? Why would a Senate filled with liberal RINO’s hell bent on passing amnesty, being replaced by Democrats that actually ran on conservative issues make me burn? That gives me more hope. I’m sure people in Montana and Missouri are just itching for amnesty. The X factor for senior Democrats is the freshman class, will they tow the party line or will they serve their constituency?
Theworldisnotenough on November 13, 2006 at 4:44 PM
Conservative rebels! Starting revolutions for the status quo!
Oh, give me a break. People have been saying the same thing for 150 years. Your fear of a minority-majority country is irrational. Look at Texas. It’s one of only 4 states in this country that is a minority-majority state, and the GOP still holds an iron grip on it.
You guys need to lose the tin-foil-hat conspiracy theories about poor people from Mexico and Central America running over the border to secretly conquer the Southwest for Mexico. Half the illegal immigrants in this country aren’t even Mexican, and something makes me doubt that even 10% of Mexicans coming here honestly care whether Mexico controls the Southwest or America does, as long as they find work.
Grebrook on November 13, 2006 at 4:45 PM
Compared to last Monday, we’re in a whole other universe. Wow.
Halley on November 13, 2006 at 4:47 PM
Thanks for your reply, Allahpundit.
He/she/it distracts people from the comparatively productive discussions they could otherwise have. We do have “moonbats” here who occasionally mix an interesting point in with their venom and who are therefore worth engaging. Grebrook, on the other hand, is almost purely provocative, without very little “redeeming social value” thrown in. Do whatever you think is best, of course. Thanks for listening.
Kralizec on November 13, 2006 at 4:47 PM
Duh. This process is taking place in California. Arnold will not prevail over Tom McClintock next go round.
Splitting the vote sends a message as well, “keep giving us stooges and they’ll have zero chance for victory.” Keep yourself out of power as long as you want to. Among the Dems that won are a few I would have voted for. Do you put it past the GOP to keep the primaries stocked with party line towing slobs? I don’t, my vote is earned each and every single time.
Theworldisnotenough on November 13, 2006 at 4:52 PM
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