Score one more for McCain: Mel “Amnesty” Martinez to endorse this afternoon; Update: McCain endorsed by … Clinton?
posted at 2:34 pm on January 25, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Ah yes. The man allegedly handpicked by Bush and Rove for RNC chairman because of his stalwart shilling for amnesty, including a bill co-sponsored with Chuck Hagel that could conceivably have legalized 60 million people over the next 20 years. Anyone think the formal announcement was purposely delayed until after the debate to deny Romney a line of attack? Actually, probably not: Given the chance to pose a question last night to McCain on this subject and tear him to shreds, Mitt punted for something about the economy.
Whose endorsements are we still waiting on at this point? Ted Kennedy’s? MEChA’s?
Update: Almost one year ago today: “That leaves us with a pro-amnesty president, a pro-amnesty party chairman, and a likely pro-amnesty presidential nominee in ‘08 in the figure of St. John of Tucson.” We saw it coming, and yet here we are.
Update: Have I assumed too much of (some of) our readers in not mentioning that Martinez is Cuban and from Florida? I.e. this will probably help Maverick in a state he needs to win. Whether it helps him on Super Tuesday, especially if Romney turns up the heat, is another matter.
Update: Via Dan Riehl, not technically an endorsement but we’re surfing a meme here. Catch the wave:
[Bill Clinton] also said that Mrs. Clinton had worked with Republicans, including Senator Lindsay Graham, Republican of South Carolina.
And then he painted this scene: “She and John McCain are very close,” he said. “They always laugh that if they wound up being the nominees of their party, it would be the most civilized election in American history and they’re afraid they’d put the voters to sleep because they like and respect each other.”
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I almost fooled myself that I could support McCain. Time to get a Mitt bumper sticker.
doufree on January 25, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Notice all the endorsements McCain The Pain is getting here are pretty much featherweights?
pilamaye on January 25, 2008 at 2:37 PM
“Had enough?”
Sure have. I’d had enough when I heard him say he would absolutely not use or advocate any form of torture in any situation, against people committed to killing Americans.
4shoes on January 25, 2008 at 2:37 PM
How can anyone support McCain?!?
davenp35 on January 25, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Yes, Rocky, Stormin’ Norman, Mel, Phil Graham, it is finally starting to happen. Maybe mitt can get his barber’s endorsement.
THE CHOSEN ONE on January 25, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Well, Alan Colmes hasn’t endorsed anyone yet.
Makes sense though. Who else could Mel endorse? I mean, come on, McCain’s got got the coveted Geraldo and Juan Hernandez endorsement. Mel had to jump on the wagon or lose his shot at Director of Homeland Security.
///
BacaDog on January 25, 2008 at 2:40 PM
As Mitt smiles…
amerpundit on January 25, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Mitt had better beat McCain to a pulp on this issue. If he does not, I may need to question his illegal immigration bonafides.
CliffHanger on January 25, 2008 at 2:41 PM
How many of these endorsements does McCain have to hide from today?
lan astaslem on January 25, 2008 at 2:41 PM
I am still waiting for those rock-solid endorsements from Britney, Paris, and Lindsay!
pilamaye on January 25, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Duuude - I’m from Tucson and he’s no Saint around here…
SkinnerVic on January 25, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Copied from the other thread….
Wow, you mean Mel “Open Borders” Martinez? The one we all threw a fit over being chosen for the Chair? We all wanted Michael Steele. Well I do have to give it to McCain. He’s very consistent in his open-borders stance.
NTWR on January 25, 2008 at 2:39 PM
NTWR on January 25, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Mexico’s?
I’ve had it with all of them.
Free Constitution on January 25, 2008 at 2:42 PM
If you are a conservative (or believe yourself to be), by extreme self-deception.
thirteen28 on January 25, 2008 at 2:43 PM
LULAC, La Raza, and La Eme maybe?
NTWR on January 25, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Hide? I doubt it. The man touts the endorsement of the New York Times.
amerpundit on January 25, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Fixed that…
right2bright on January 25, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Ditto, can’t see a viable candidate on either side of the aisle.
Ciannaky on January 25, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Well, you know the old saying…”the enemy of my enemy is my friend”?
Too bad McCain thinks his base is the enemy.
BacaDog on January 25, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Once again Juan McCain accepts the support of another of his pro amnesty cohorts.
This Juan McButtnugget is going to force an awful lot of conservatives to stay home in Nov.
leanright on January 25, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Good call!
But in the words of St. John himself “It’s not amnesty!” …..right?
*shakes head and sighs*
Luckedout on January 25, 2008 at 2:48 PM
It’s no surprise that amnesty shills (Martinez, Snake Oil Hernandez, Geraldo, the Treason Times) would endorse an amnesty shill. The only surprise is that they apparently think this will somehow help McShamnesty with conservatives.
ReubenJCogburn on January 25, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Probably because the alternatives aren’t that great either.
None Of The Above for President!
Hollowpoint on January 25, 2008 at 2:48 PM
I don’t know how this plays for you…but in Florida with a very high percentage of illegals here, it may not be especially smart to go after the illegals. A LOT and I mean a LOT of businesses here, from construction to farming rely on them. However, the downturn in housing and loss of construction jobs is universally felt, by everyone. I would think that’s a smarter card to play against McCain than an amnesty one.
Joek7132 on January 25, 2008 at 2:49 PM
So what are all these “Leading Republicans” going to think when McShamnesty ISN’T the Republican Candidate?
Will they realize that their “Endorsements” don’t mean squat?
PappaMac on January 25, 2008 at 2:49 PM
We saw it coming, and yet here we are.Yep. The GOP Establishment is lining up behind St John as the Man To Stop the Restoration. All other considerations be damned, I guess.
Half of me thinks it’s just as well if Billary wins in Nov. Two years of Clintonesque cynicism and voters will remember why they were glad to get rid of Presidents BJ & the Bear in the first place. Then the Republicans will win some seats in 2010, maybe even take back the Senate. With any luck she’ll face BHO as an angry, embittered primary challenger in 2012. Leaving a big open hole for some as-yet-unforeseen GOP titan to drive a tank through. Plus, a few years in the wilderness will focus the Republicans’ minds on what’s important.
Here’s to a one-term, two-headed Presidential monster. Cheers.
Vote Sauron 08 on January 25, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Wow, we’ve been pissed off a whole year on this issue and still no politicians are listening. Is it time to choose which laws we’ll obey? Maybe we shouldn’t pay income taxes anymore, that might get some attention.
No Taxation Without Representation!!
NTWR on January 25, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Martinez is extremely popular in Florida
bnelson44 on January 25, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Vote Romney here.
davenp35 on January 25, 2008 at 2:52 PM
And Martinez is extremely popular in FL, if Mitt had attacked such an endorsement in FL last night, he probably would have guaranteed a loss there.
We will have to see how this plays out in the other states.
bnelson44 on January 25, 2008 at 2:53 PM
Why, the all important overseas endorsements, of course! We need to know which candidates pass the “International” test.
I want to know who Chavez, Dinnerjacket, Assad, and Kim endorse, not to mention the UN, Hamas, and Al Quaeda…
Frozen Tex on January 25, 2008 at 2:55 PM
McCain is really doing his darnedest to put the lie to his recent conversion on immigration, isn’t he?
Slublog on January 25, 2008 at 2:55 PM
As Bush said, “Mission Accomplished!”
thirteen28 on January 25, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Help us, Fred Be Gone Kenobe, you’re our only hope.
2Tru2Tru on January 25, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Mitt may have just lost FL
bnelson44 on January 25, 2008 at 3:00 PM
If McCain is smart he would make Fred his VP
bnelson44 on January 25, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Here’s what’s sad - Martinez was billed ’round these parts (my district’s GOPers got him elected) as a strict conservative! And, by comparison, that was true, so he was wildly popular.
Since then we’ve been less than happy, the conservatives, but that doesn’t mean it won’t help McCain.
Somebody explain to me what we did to make God so angry at us.
emailnuevo on January 25, 2008 at 3:01 PM
His popularity plummeted after the immigration debate, having a 36% approval rating as of July (the last known poll). Whether or not it’s repaired itself, he’s certainly not popular on the immigration issue.
amerpundit on January 25, 2008 at 3:01 PM
We don’t like
We don’t like
We don’t like…McCain!
ronsfi on January 25, 2008 at 3:02 PM
But immigration hurt him last summer. His approval rating dropped to about 37%.
Slublog on January 25, 2008 at 3:03 PM
Darn your google-fu.
Slublog on January 25, 2008 at 3:03 PM
If Fred is smart, he’ll say “no” to that one.
thirteen28 on January 25, 2008 at 3:04 PM
As a Floridian, Mel’s not popular with me. I wore out the ear of his office staff last year. I saw this item yesterday:
INC on January 25, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Heh. I didn’t actually need to Google, being an unhappy Floridian, I remember the poll.
amerpundit on January 25, 2008 at 3:05 PM
It was 37% but that was in the middle of the immegration battle. Sen Nelson was running at a 47% approval rating at the time as well.
Marinez is still extremely popular in FL
bnelson44 on January 25, 2008 at 3:06 PM
You keep saying that, but provide no poll. How do you know he’s popular? His first reelection isn’t even until 2010, having only been elected in 2004.
He’s not endorsing McCain because he likes McCain’ stance on the war. He’s endorsing him because of the immigration issue, and Floridians aren’t blind to that.
amerpundit on January 25, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Still, you guys don’t represent the typical FL Republican voter.
What I am saying is that the endorsement is a great boost for McCain there.
Everyone knows McCain’s stand on immigration, we have all heard it enough times. He is less liberal than Obama or Clinton on the topic. He isn’t going to kick every illegal alien out of the country, other than it being impossible to do it would reck the US economy. It ain’t going to happen. Even the law you guys keep praising from AZ only affects new hires, not existing employees.
bnelson44 on January 25, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Hmmm… I had no idea that prog rock bands were endorsing anyone, but this just might sway my view of McCain. Naw… not really. :-)
Nineball on January 25, 2008 at 3:10 PM
You lost me at smart.
Geronimo on January 25, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Peggy Noonan was correct. Now, it’s just a question of how far down the rot goes.
a capella on January 25, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Why do I not hear a bigger deal about this, McCain to Romney in May: “In the case of Gov. Romney, you know, maybe I should wait a couple of weeks and see if it changes, because it’s changed in less than a year from his position before,” McCain said. “And maybe his solution will be to get out his small-varmint gun and drive those Guatemalans off his lawn.”
JetBoy on January 25, 2008 at 3:11 PM
I personally don’t think it’s a smart move for McCain to have Martinez around. Just seeing the two of them together will jog the memories about amnesty.
bnelson44, are you from Florida?
INC on January 25, 2008 at 3:11 PM
No I am from AZ and I would have to take your word for what FL voters would do. I only know what I read about Martinez.
By the way, McCain is still popular in AZ and we are dealing with the issue too.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/az/arizona_republican_primary-310.html
bnelson44 on January 25, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Check out the immigration records of the candidates here.
NTWR on January 25, 2008 at 3:15 PM
I know what you keep saying, but you provide no evidence to back it up. Thank you for your assumption I don’t represent the average Florida voter, but the candidates I vote for the state tends to choose, so I must be on a similar level with the average voter.
amerpundit on January 25, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Here’s a Tampa Bay news blog with some comments from some other Floridians on this endorsement.
INC on January 25, 2008 at 3:16 PM
Ah, gotcha.
amerpundit on January 25, 2008 at 3:16 PM
Heh. +1
Free Constitution on January 25, 2008 at 3:17 PM
So, are you saying the average FL voter supports McCain’s agenda? It was my impression the Cuban-Americans in Florida don’t support the illegals from Mexico and Central America. It is also my impression there are different flavors of Hispanic voters, depending on original nationality.
a capella on January 25, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Depends on what 3 polls you pick. I can pick 3 recent polls showing McCain winning all of them. Polls are here:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/fl/florida_republican_primary-260.html
bnelson44 on January 25, 2008 at 3:17 PM
I don’t get it. I thought Martinez won the hearts and minds of the GOP base during the Schiavo affair.
Alan on January 25, 2008 at 3:18 PM
Best of the bunch - straight to the point:
thirteen28 on January 25, 2008 at 3:19 PM
I haven’t had enough, McCain really needs to pile it on and show us what he’s made of!
Rode Werk on January 25, 2008 at 3:19 PM
a capella, I agree.
INC on January 25, 2008 at 3:19 PM
I’m saying the average FL Republican voter, according to all the polls I have seen, is a lot more moderate than those who post here. You guys have to realize that or your going to live in perpetual frustration.
bnelson44 on January 25, 2008 at 3:19 PM
There are different flavors of Hispanic voters depending not only on what country they come from, but there ethnic backgrounds (i.e., cast), income level, education, religion and political background.
bnelson44 on January 25, 2008 at 3:21 PM
Funny, you must not have followed my link:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/fl/florida_republican_primary-260.html#polls
NTWR on January 25, 2008 at 3:22 PM
:)
bnelson44 on January 25, 2008 at 3:23 PM
So far we have a poll with a 37% approval rating during an immigration battle, a comment section at a Tampa news blog saying the same thing we are, and I know Martinez hasn’t even faced his first reelection. I’ve also pointed out that the candidates I vote for, my fellow Floridians tend to choose.
I’ve not seen once piece of evidence to prove that he’s “extremely popular” here in Florida.
amerpundit on January 25, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Why doesn’t Rosie O’Donnell endorse McCain and really do him in!
“Mom Dad I just fell in love with a big fat pig!”
saved on January 25, 2008 at 3:24 PM
So far every thread I read here is full of frustration. That is the point I am making. You guys are ending up supporting Mitt Romney of all people, someone who a few short years ago was a liberal governor in a liberal state and decided to move to the right to win the Republican nomination. Wanna bet he moves to the center if nominated?
bnelson44 on January 25, 2008 at 3:27 PM
WOW! Not ONE positive comment about Martinez or McCain!
kcd on January 25, 2008 at 3:27 PM
Of course they are. That’s why Rudy made it his make or break state. Lots of transplants as well as Cubans. I’ve got very little problem with Rudy,…got a major problem with McCain. Right now, he’s sticking his thumb in the eye of conservatives, even moderates like me, who are concerned about the impact of his agenda.
a capella on January 25, 2008 at 3:27 PM
How ’bout Rush, Styx, and The Alan Parsons Project (which I believe was a hovercraft of some kind)?
Frozen Tex on January 25, 2008 at 3:30 PM
“So, are you saying the average FL voter supports McCain’s agenda? ”
It’s a tricky issue. I’m born and Raised in Naples/Bonita Springs…however much I may dislike illegals - they are here and everywhere. They DO, like it or not, a LOT of the work around here. Every restaurant I’ve worked at, every construction site I’ve worked at. If there are legal immigrants here then there best friend or relative here…isn’t. So for “scoring points” in the debate, going after the flagging economy here and not immagration was the safer bet. When super tuesday comes around, it won’t serve McCain well to have Mel stumping for him. The only saving grace about it happening now is that this is a closed primary and illegals either can’t vote or pro-amnesty people are left-leaning (they need their entitlements damnit!).
So I don’t think it helps McCain and I do think Mitt did the right thing by not jumping on the immigation issue.
Joek7132 on January 25, 2008 at 3:31 PM
So…no evidence that he’s “extremely popular” and that this endorsement will help McCain greatly in Florida?
And I’m betting Mitt will either have to stay where he is or move a bit further right in this election, where conservatives are threatening to sit out for certain candidates (including him).
amerpundit on January 25, 2008 at 3:33 PM
O.K., thanks. That clears up a bit of misconception on my part. I assumed most legal immigrants were opposed to the illegals, but if they are all one big, happy family, it sure could affect voting trends.
a capella on January 25, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Seconded.
JetBoy on January 25, 2008 at 3:42 PM
God, I hate Senators.
BJ* on January 25, 2008 at 3:43 PM
We will know by Tuesday.
bnelson44 on January 25, 2008 at 3:43 PM
The Senate works by compromise. It was setup for compromise I think. So if you don’t like compromise, you won’t like the Senate.
bnelson44 on January 25, 2008 at 3:44 PM
Good God, I’ve been considering early voting for McCain down here in FL, even though I am more of a Mitt guy. I don’t see any way Mitt or Rudy can win in Nov, but I think Mitt would do a little better than Rudy. McCain is the only chance of winning the thing, but what’s the point? I’ve made up my mind to screw voting strategically and to just vote for who I like best, which means Mitt. McCain just makes it to damn hard to support him. If it weren’t for the immigration issue, I could probably do it, but I just don’t trust him, even on his pledge to secure the border first.
RW Wacko on January 25, 2008 at 3:45 PM
Rudy is more liberal than McCain so it isn’t the issues with you after all.
bnelson44 on January 25, 2008 at 3:47 PM
It’s about time for those conservatives who care about the country to start up a draft movement for Thompson and/or Hunter.
The NY Times would hate that, whih makes it a damn good idea.
It’s going to be a long, cold four years with any of the current crop of cretins worming their way into the White House.
Mitt is unlikely to win even if nominated — the old anti-Mormon stuff will be in the Clintonian bag o’ tricks, for sure — and many (like me) are still suspicious of him.
Mitt ain’t it, just as McCain ain’t ***t.
MrScribbler on January 25, 2008 at 3:47 PM
OPEN THE BORDERS!
BE NICE TO OUR TERRORIST PRISONERS!
BUY INTO THE RELIGION OF MAN MADE GLOBAL WARMING!
SCRAP THE CONSTITUTION!
BRING BACK THE KEATING FIVE!
AND THIS GUY MCCAIN ACTUALLY CALLS HIMSELF A REPUBLICAN?
woodswalking1 on January 25, 2008 at 3:48 PM
PSST: YOUR EXAGERATING IN ALL CAPS
bnelson44 on January 25, 2008 at 3:49 PM
You guys are talking yourselves into frustration again.
bnelson44 on January 25, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Right now somewhere in a back room, the Dems are laughing at the prospect of a Romeny showdown.
THE CHOSEN ONE on January 25, 2008 at 3:54 PM
On Hannity, Rudy just added his endorsement of McCain - “he did a great job in the Senate.”
McCain Feingold, McCain Kennedy, etc.???
Really too bad Mitt didn’t ask McCain about his Shamnesty push and why he changed the 2006 version’s 90 day waiting period to a one business day in the 2007 version.
Did DHS become that much more efficient in processing 12 to 30 million background checks and health checks in only 24 hours??
Here’s a poll to run and win on.
fred5678 on January 25, 2008 at 3:55 PM
I’m not interested in pigeon hole categories or who is more liberal or conservative. McCain can’t be trusted. I don’t give a flip about his POW status. He’s used that all up. Rudy tells you what he is and lets the chips fall. McCain has been lying through his teeth through this whole train wreck. “My friends”, indeed.
a capella on January 25, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Maybe Ms E. is right. Are you one of Mitt’s sons?
a capella on January 25, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Are you crackin’ wise? I’m from Florida and the republicans here have a rally cry. Its: GO TO HELL MEL!!
Bicyea on January 25, 2008 at 4:05 PM
I’d hold my nose and vote for The Maverick if need be, but I’d sure rather see Mitt win the nomination.
Q for the ‘08 general election if so: is ‘Mormonist’ a word?
Blacksheep on January 25, 2008 at 4:05 PM
It’s sort of funny really. I see so much whining and anger, yet most of it by the same people who insist they’ll go right ahead and “hold their nose and vote for McCain.”
These people deserve what they get. Unfortunately, the rest of us have to suffer because of their lack of Malkins.
Same thing every year. Same people, voting for “the best of the worst.” And same people wondering why nothing ever changes.
Take notes now. In 2012, the same people will still be here encouraging the same nonsense that if we simply beat the Dems in this ever important election, the GOP will magically correct itself.
Gregor on January 25, 2008 at 4:06 PM
I’m from South Florida and occassionally listen to a radio station called Radio Mambi, La Grande. On it, you will find the old timers, the guys behind the Anti Fidel movements and democracy. To make a long story short, all they talk about is Mitt Romney. So I seriously doubt McCain is going to get any backing from the Cuban Population. If he does, it will be from the young generation. Most of which, unfortunately, have turned to Dems.
Its a shame that Mel Martinez has decided to back Shamnesty. For the record, Cubans are not pro-amnesty people and word on the street is, Mel is not getting any more votes from Cuban voters.
Cuerbo on January 25, 2008 at 4:16 PM
Thanks for that news. Been waiting to hear that kind of info.
JiangxiDad on January 25, 2008 at 4:22 PM
Gag me with a spoon.
CP on January 25, 2008 at 4:25 PM
The NY Times might be clueless, but Bill knows his endorsement is the kiss of death to McCain. Clinton must be really scared of losing to McCain. Too bad I don’t want him.
JiangxiDad on January 25, 2008 at 4:29 PM
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