Mel Martinez the only Latino Repub in the Senate to Resign!!

[IRONm@N]

By MIKE SCHNEIDER

ORLANDO, Fla. — Republican Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida said Friday he will resign from the Senate as soon as a replacement can be appointed, leaving the seat more than a year before his term ends.

Martinez, the only Hispanic Republican in the Senate, revealed his plans in a statement to supporters and was expected to publicly announce the decision Friday afternoon in Florida.


The first-term senator already had announced in December that he would not seek re-election in 2010, but had fended off rumors that he would give up the seat early.

His decision puts Republican Gov. Charlie Crist – who is running to replace him – in charge of filling the seat in the interim. Crist said Friday as he boarded a plane to Tampa that he would not appoint himself, but declined to discuss the issue further.

In a letter to friends and supporters obtained by The Associated Press, Martinez says he’s stepping down early for personal reasons.

“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,” Martinez wrote.

The note says his resignation will be “effective on a successor taking office to fill out the remainder of my term.”

Officials predicted that Crist, who faces a Republican primary challenge and several Democratic contenders, would select a “placeholder” for the temporary assignment. Crist will almost surely appoint a Republican, which won’t change the balance of power in the Senate, where Democrats control 60 seats needed to overcome Republican filibusters

[Amadeus101]

He should've left after his party treated Sotomayor the way they did!

[IRONm@N]

He should've left after his party treated Sotomayor the way they did!

The only latinos that support Republicans are those Cubans that live in FLorida, who are against Fidel Castro, and they think only republicans will help their cause.

[The Nomad]

He should've left after his party treated Sotomayor the way they did!

The only latinos that support Republicans are those Cubans that live in FLorida, who are against Fidel Castro, and they think only republicans will help their cause.

Hispanics vote along the same lines that every demographic, but AA's do, separated by economic class.

The Republican's outside of the immigration issue, appeal more to Hispanics than Democrats, due to most Hispanics being strict Roman Catholics and by virtue of that against liberal social stances.

If the Republicans were intelligent enough to adopt a work permit stance, they'd have the vast majority of Hispanics behind them.

[Amadeus101]

Hispanics vote along the same lines that every demographic, but AA's do, separated by economic class.

The Republican's outside of the immigration issue, appeal more to Hispanics than Democrats, due to most Hispanics being strict Roman Catholics.

If the Republicans were intelligent enough to adopt a work permit stance, they'd have the vast majority of Hispanics behind them.

I never thought I would say this but I agree with the Nomad 100%

[IRONm@N]

Also it's that the republicans have realized that they will never get the African American vote on their side no matter what they do, so they struggle for Latinos. but so much conservatives are against immigration and open borders that it won't happen.
Plus, some Latinos feel that they have to compete with African Americans in the democratic party, but they have no body to compete with in the Republican party.

[The Nomad]

^

As long as Hispanic population growth remains stagnant, I cannot see either party going out of their way to receive their votes. As a huge minority, their votes are useful, naturally, but 'Hispanic' as a term means nothing in a political sense. They have completely different platforms that appeal to them, for example, a Cuban will look for different things in a candidate to a Mexican and so on, making the term in a political sense void.

To be frank, the best way for Republicans to secure the 'Hispanic' vote is for them to clime the social ladder, which they are already doing themselves, but even then, their votes will not mean as much as other smaller demographics, like AA's, because they do not vote party.

[IRONm@N]

^

As long as Hispanic population growth remains stagnant, I cannot see either party going out of their way to receive their votes. As a huge minority, their votes are useful, naturally, but 'Hispanic' as a term means nothing in a political sense. They have completely different platforms that appeal to them, for example, a Cuban will look for different things in a candidate to a Mexican and so on, making the term in a political sense void.

To be frank, the best way for Republicans to secure the 'Hispanic' vote is for them to clime the social ladder, which they are already doing themselves, but even then, their votes will not mean as much as other smaller demographics, like AA's, because they do not vote party.

Hispanic population stagnant?? they are the fastest growing minority in America, more then African Americans, African Americans don't have as much kids, and the most of their youth are victim of the streets and jails, so by 2020 they will over take them.
They said by 2050, whites will be minority and blacks and hispanics will be majority. but when it comes to politics and social services blacks are better then hispanics. Hispanics don't consider themselves true Americans, and most ppl don't consider them too, because anybody could cross the border and become a hispanic American, while the African Americans were here since 17 century, more then even most whites like Jews, Irish and Italians who come late in 1920s.

[Amethyst]

He should've left after his party treated Sotomayor the way they did!

Actually, I'm pretty sure there has got to be a special place in hell for all Hispanics who are republicans, judging by the rhetoric they use against their very own people. Married to whites, Sell-freaking-outs the whole bunch. Good riddence.

Oh, and Christ will prolly appoint Jeb Bush, who will in turn make an offical run in 2012 and get that seat, and then run for office to be the third prez Bush in 2016. lol. If anything I wouldnt be surprised if Martinez had been paid off to leave early for it to be a appointment instead of a run-off race. FL Stinks to high heaven.