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Florida GOP True Believers up in arms over Martinez

by: stonegauge

Sat Jun 30, 2007 at 16:53:34 PM EDT


I was musing to myself yesterday that I feel thoroughly impotent on a federal representation level with Gus Bilirakis presiding over my district in the US House (unreachable and uncaring when I try contacting him or his office) and Florida's Senators Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez.

Two Republicans who will not waiver on there stances (or listen to anyone registered with the Democratic party) and a DINO who has been unreachable since his initial election to Senate. 

While wallowing in frustration, I decided to humor myself and venture to Google.  Just for fun and games, I typed in "Recall Mel Martinez" (and had every intention of following it up with "Recall Bill Nelson".  I was surprirsed, and humored by results (more below)

stonegauge :: Florida GOP True Believers up in arms over Martinez
It would seem Florida's junior senator has ruffled a few feathers...  Well, that was obvious for anyone who has paid attention to Martinez since his initial senate campaign and election in 2004.  Attacks, pandering, cronyism, and of course his memo during the Teri Schiavo vote on capital hill...  There are so many reasons to have problems with Mel Martinez.  Yet I find humor in the fact two web sites have popped up calling for Mel Martinez's recall.  Recall Mel and Recall Martinez.

With every transgression against the citizens of Florida and the citizens of the United States, only one has enough weight to get Republicans to want to recall Mel Martinez.  That being immigration.  From Recall Mel's Mission Statement:

We here at recallmel.com have a very simple & defined mission, to effect a legal recall petition drive with the ultimate goal of a special election to remove Senator Mel Martinez from office. It is our belief that our home America is crumbling at the foundation and this proposed legislation is a dangerous & misguided tragedy that has the potential to bring the US down. When our elected leaders betray their campaign promises and display reckless disregard for our interest, it is our duty to do everything possible to take away the power they so desperately crave.

And from the FAQ on the site:

Won't This Hurt The Republican Party In Florida, a Democrat Could Get Elected Right?
  Yes that is possible but that is no longer important. Immigration is an issue that transcends party affiliation, it is a American problem. There are many issues of tremendous importance that need to be addressed however for me Immigration has trumped them all. Should whoever would replace Senator Martinez betray their campaign promise to protect our borders then this site would morph into recallthenextguy.com.
 

Recalling a congress person is more than trying to replace someone you are unhappy with.  It's about someone who both sides of politics are unhappy with.  You will not get the broad, bilateral support for a special recall election by pandering specifically to the GOoPer true believers in the state.  It's even more curious - if not ridiculous -- for both sites to not include any reference to the rest of Mel Martinez's transgressions or antics as a candidate or Senator. 

I'm not happy with all 3 of my federal representatives, and yet I'm keen enough to know that toeing the party line is not going to win broad support to rid myself of the problematic representative.  I'm also not egotistical enough to believe an election is won or lost simply by appealing to one party and one issue.  While recalling Senator Martinez may be of legitimate interest to some Floridians, it's a shame only xenophobes who seem to support everything else Senator Martinez does are the ones ruining hte movement before it begins.

Tags: , , , , , (All Tags)
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Buzzed at Mel at St.Pete Times (0.00 / 0)
I noticed that there are a lot of Republicans posting frustration with Senator Martinez at "The Buzz" as well.
http://blogs.tampaba...

You cannot recall federal officials (4.00 / 1)
Including Senators and Congresspeople. The best they can do is ask them to resign.

Check out our blog: Grassroots Brevard

You Forget, CP (4.00 / 1)
Republicans have a hard time interpreting the law these days :)

I think the Florida Netroots will truly flower in 2010, with a draft movement behind a Democrat to run against Mel Martinez - and then whip him - much like Jim Webb's run against George Allen in 2006.

Join the fight for a better Florida: Florida Progressive Coalition www.flaprogressives.com


[ Parent ]
Draft Dan Gelber (0.00 / 0)
Gelber is definitely the smartest guy in the legislature, and is very good with the press.  He also proved last november he knows how to win elections.  Plus he has experience on capital hill, working for Senator Nunn as his Chief of Staff on the Seante Permanent Committee on Investigations.

[ Parent ]
No one (2.00 / 1)
from south Florida is going to beat Martinez. Sink is the only Democrat who could beat him.

[ Parent ]
Martinez has an approval rating of (3.00 / 1)
37 percent. I'd be surprised if there is any credible Democrat that cannot beat him.

Check out our blog: Grassroots Brevard

[ Parent ]
The question then is... (0.00 / 0)
...Who runs against Mel and will it be self-assassination by the  Dems again (tearing each other down for the chance to run in the general) or will there be a far-and-away lead challenger to Martinez?

[ Parent ]
I'm partial to State Sen. Dave Aronberg (0.00 / 0)
but you bring up a good point. A divisive Democratic primary won't serve us well at all, and who knows what the political environment will be like in 2010 (two years into a Democratic Presidency, we hope).

 

Check out our blog: Grassroots Brevard


[ Parent ]
I normally agree, but (4.00 / 1)
Mel is in pretty bad shape, and I don't think Sink will run.  I'd love to see her make a go of it and I would support her, though I don't think it will happen.

I have seen Dan Gelber talk to North Florida audiences and he is very good, actually, he is incredibly good.  Don't forget, he used to work for Georgia Senator Sam Nunn and that he grew up in Tallahassee, so he knows how to speak that language.

And there is one more very important thing---he proved better than anyone else that he knows how to put together a statewide organization, and because of his success, he starts with a nice group of loyal people to help him around the state.


[ Parent ]
Okay. (4.00 / 1)
I'm being too pessimistic. Dave Aronberg and Dan Gelber would both be able to do it.

But it is not North Florida that is key, it's central Florida that wins statewide elections. That's why we need to build up a strong infrastructure there during the 2008 elections.

We need to coordinate the contested congressional elections with the presidential campaign and then use that experience to win this statewide seat in 2010.

The amazing turnout for the DFA training bodes well for this scenario. The future's so bright we have to wear shades.


[ Parent ]
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