I kind of figured it was time for another high-profile resignation of some sort from the Republicans. On October 19, Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL) announced the end of his tenure as general chairman of the Republican National Committee, eleven months after being named to the post by President Bush. The move, which came earlier than GOP officials has counted on, comes in light of decreasing dissatisfaction with the junior senator's performance. Martinez, a former secretary of Housing and Urban development serving his first term in the Senate, has seen his approval slide from 48percent to 28 percent in recent months.
In a statement, Senator Martinez said "since my election as General Chairman of the Republican Party, we have accomplished remarkable things." Yep. The GOP has managed to drill for democracy and strike quagmire in Iraq, prove more or less that they do not like sick children, and remain optimistic of their chances with a president so utterly clueless as to name-drop WWIII at a press conference. Remarkable, yes, but not for the right reasons. Oh, and just in passing, Senator Martinez was not elected, but appointed. A win is a win, but don't call a forfeit a knockout.
More from Martinez: "We have worked hard to articulate the Party's core values on vital national issues ranging from funding out troops to winning the War on Terror to the promotion of fiscally conservative policies. Even as a devil's advocate, it would be hard to go with calling that even hitting one out of three. We've grown accustomed to 'give us our way, or you are unpatriotic,' as it pertains to funding withdrawal, or pretty much anything to do with Iraq. The War on Terror, at face value, is in danger of becoming as relevant (and as ultimately successful) as the War on Drugs, and that parallel, coupled with the decision to band together against SCHIP expansion (at the mere cost of 40 days' worth of quagmire), proves that fiscally responsible depends greatly on who's slinging the cash.
Sen. Martinez did accomplish big things cash-wise for the party, even though the success still failed to live up to the glory days. Raising $61 million for the period ending in September (still over $17 down from the same time two years ago), the RNC is the only national party committee to scrounge up more dough than their Democratic party counterparts in 2007. I guess the GOP has hit a peek in their kool-aid market.
Friends and Republican officials close to Martinez and the situation said the Senator, who was sharing the chairmanship with Republican National Committee Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan, had grown tired of handling both positions. Martinez had even told some he was only planning on keeping the job for about a year. The RNC said the job would not be refilled, returning the group to a single chairmanship. One thing I am trying to figure out- does anyone in the Republican National Committee even know how long Martinez was general chair, or when he took the gig? According to Mike Duncan, Martinez took over in January, but in the Associated Press article, they mention Martinez being general chairman for ten months, which puts this back to December. In the very same piece, it says President Bush named Martinez to the position last November.
For however long Mel Martinez was RNC General Chairman, and in spite of the monies he pumped into the Republican war machine, I will give credit where credit is due. While I can't say much he accomplished could be construed as much as a success, he did do a heckuva job, so to speak, holding the wheel through turbulent waters. Besides, how can you not love a guy who jumps the hell off the boat in plenty of time to miss the iceberg?
Blog Talk RadioProbably Uncalled ForThomas Keisterppdinglesinternet radiohumoropinionentertainmentnewspoliticssocietycommentarypop cultureGOPMel MartinezRepublican National CommitteeBushWar in DrugsWar on TerrorSCHIPMike Duncan
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