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FL-Sen: Martinez Will Retire

by: James L.

Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 12:47 PM EST

A sadsack end for a truly sadsack politician. From the St. Petersburg Times:

Mel Martinez, a Cuban immigrant who came to America with nothing and rose to U.S. Housing Secretary and then U.S. Senator, just announced that he will not seek re-election after serving out the next two years of his term. Martinez, 62, said he made the announcement early to give the "many, qualified individuals" time to organize and prepare for the open seat election in 2010.

The potential candidates:

Martinez's departure immediately set off speculation about potential successors, including whether Democratic Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink will reconsider her expected announcement that she would not run for Senate in 2010 and instead seek another term on the Cabinet.
Among the potential Republican candidates: Attorney General Bill McCollum, former state House Speaker Marco Rubio, U.S. Reps. Adam Putnam and Vern Buchanan. Democratic names include Sink, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, state Sen. Dan Gelber, and U.S. Reps. Ron Klein, Allen Boyd, and Kendrick Meek.

From his extreme douchebaggery during the Terri Schiavo affair, to his ill-fated run at the top of the RNC, to his thoroughly mediocre job approval ratings, it was clear that the past four years haven't been much fun for Martinez, so it's not a huge shock that he's decided to bail in 2010. It's now just a question of who will run -- the primaries on both sides, if 2004 is any indication, could get crowded pretty quickly.

Update: As for Alex Sink, she is apparently backing off from her planned re-election announcement in order to reassess the situation. Very good. For the GOP, state AG Bill McCollum says he's considering a run.

James L. :: FL-Sen: Martinez Will Retire

Tags: Mel Martinez, FL-Sen, (All Tags)

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FL-Sen: Martinez Will Retire | 55 comments

I wonder if this will make Sink reconsider.

Follow the elections in Georgia at the 2010 Georgia Race Tracker.

by: TheUnknown285 @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 11:58:55 AM CST

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She already is

http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz...

draftalex.com
Draft Alex Sink for Governor

by: draftalex @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 12:08:24 PM CST

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This is so similar to what happened in NM with Udall

There should be a Draft Alex Sink for Senate set up if there isn't one already. Maybe Schumer can perform one last act as DSCC chair and convince Sink to run.

by: DCal @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 12:25:58 PM CST

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Sounds good

Now where is she on the issues. . .

by: andgarden @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 12:45:57 PM CST

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"well-liked in the business community" is the only meaningful phrase I ever see

by: texas dem @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 13:45:03 PM CST

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This becomes more difficult for us now, I think

My hope is that the field will quickly clear on our side for either Klein or Sink.

by: andgarden @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 12:01:28 PM CST

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Entirely dependent on who they run

Martinez wasn't hated -- he just wasn't known and loved. They could get an "upgrade", or they could trade in for a douchebag like McCollum. Who knows.

by: James L. @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 12:08:06 PM CST

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Exactly

If they nominate Marco Rubio I'm very worried. If they nominate Bill McCollum or Adam Putnam we should have a better chance of winning than we would have against Martinez.

by: ChadInFL @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 12:11:08 PM CST

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I don't think you should underestimate Putnam.

I think he will play well statewide.

by: wmlawman @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 12:14:40 PM CST

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Florida isn't Georgia or Alabama

A Howdy Doody good ol' boy probably won't play all that well statewide in Florida.

by: ChadInFL @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 12:38:04 PM CST

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I think he'd take N. Florida and

keep his base along I4, and wind up with the win. I think the image helps to cover up and moderate his views.

by: wmlawman @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 12:53:54 PM CST

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somewhat true...

But his base along I-4 is not in the swing/dem leaning territory, it' in the conservative western part where republicans win anyway. He's not going to do well in Orange, Osceola or Volusia counties. It's guaranteed to be a crowded republican field and you know they will all be trying to out-conservative each other. Good luck to Mr. Putnam in trying to appear moderate after all that.

by: ChadInFL @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 13:12:51 PM CST

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Great point

For the unfamiliar, Putnmam is from Polk County, a largely rural area between Orlando and Tampa. I have a hard time seeing him appeal to Pinellas, Volusia, Osceola, or Orange Counties either, let alone Palm Beach, Broward, or Miami-Dade. Plus, if Sink runs, she could easily negate any I-4 strength Howdy Doody has b/c she's from the corridor too.

I'm betting Sink will run on our side, and McCollum, Putnam, and whoever else will run on the GOP side.

by: corran horn @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 15:16:33 PM CST

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My bet is that Putnam definately jumps in.

He gave up his leadership position for the incoming Congress, and I bet it is so he has time to campaign.

by: wmlawman @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 12:08:01 PM CST

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Opie for Senate!

by: trowaman @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 12:12:56 PM CST

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Wow

Obama's not even President yet, and already a GOP Senator has decided the political climate is to toxic for him to survive him.

Here's hoping GOP retirements in 2010 top those in 2008!

by: Don't Tase Me, Bro! @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 12:25:43 PM CST

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Not the first, though

Sam Brownback isn't running for reelection either. I'm also betting that Voinivich will retire as well, and maybe either Bond or Grassley.

The only retirements I see on our side are potentially Inouye and Dodd.

by: corran horn @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 15:11:48 PM CST

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why is he doing this?

the last senator to quit after one term was dayton, who was pretty pathetic. what is martinez leaving? scandal? not enough power? tired of the senate?

being normal is for the mediocre.

by: doug_tuttle @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 12:31:55 PM CST

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He's pretty pathetic. n/t

by: wmlawman @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 12:37:03 PM CST

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Try zero ambition

I cannot remember ever seeing him do an interview on TV since he became Senator. His constituent services are terrible as well. I cannot think one one piece of meaningful legislation he's sponsored. It always seemed to me that Martinez hated the job from day one.

by: ChadInFL @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 12:40:16 PM CST

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Bill Nelson is at least very good

at the "make sure people have heard of me and see me doing my job" thing. I can tell that from 1000 miles away.

by: andgarden @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 12:45:29 PM CST

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He was in the mix on immigration reform, I think.

Not that that's enough to justify a six year term.

Also, his votes in the next two years just got a LOT more interesting. Martinez is now definitely in the mix for votes that the bidness community likes, but the GOP base doesn't. Like health care and immigration.

by: texas dem @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 13:49:27 PM CST

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Yes, immigration

However his position on the issues is the opposite of most in his party.

by: ChadInFL @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 13:58:47 PM CST

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Bill Nelson

was also really involved in offshore oil drilling and thhe Louisiana royalties bill. still, he's not Bill Graham.

Call no man happy until he is dead-Aeschylus

by: ArkDem the Ragin Cajin @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 15:54:50 PM CST

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No mention of...

Jeb Bush. I expected to see his name among the potential GOP candidates considering he left the governorship with appovals near 60%. Sink v Bush would be a really fun race to watch!

by: land-o-lincoln @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 12:35:17 PM CST

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I don't want Sink

Leave aside the lack of any mention of her views - I don't think somebody who passes on a tough race should be asked to reconsider when it gets easier. All that does is give you a candidate who lacks enthusiasm and is easier to scare into retirement if they win.

Nor is it clear she'd be a shoe-in. She has better name recognition than some others, but she's hardly a state icon. This isn't like Tom Udall, who was odds-on to win (and a seat on Appropriations is a better reason to pass than being Florida's CFO.)

Of the options the party mentions, I like the sound of Dan Gelber. His biography sounds attractive (and a connection to Sam Nunn may help his image in North Florida), he did well in 2006 in winning State House seats and experience as Minority leader might prove useful in the Senate. And he even sounds reasonably progressive, although I could be wrong on that one.

On the flipside, he has just got a new job, but he's still looks much better than Boyd or Meek and I have doubts whether the others will run.

by: Englishlefty @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 13:28:58 PM CST

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If not sink, then Klein

I think Boyd could be an interesting choice, but I actually think he's too conservative for the base in south Florida.

by: andgarden @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 13:32:14 PM CST

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In particular, Boyd apparently sponsored the bill

to privatize Social Security. He is NOT going to play well with seniors.

by: andgarden @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 13:33:51 PM CST

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Boyd is awful.

I would even take DWS over Boyd, which is saying a lot.

by: James L. @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 13:51:48 PM CST

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Yup

I'm quickly coming to the conclusion that we get Sink or Klein, or we probably concede the seat.

by: andgarden @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 13:54:24 PM CST

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Dunno if I'd go that far...

People were writing off Kay Hagan back in October '07, for instance, but I do agree that we need to nominate someone with some chops. People who haven't run competitive races (DWS and Meek) are not high on my list.

by: James L. @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 14:01:02 PM CST

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Incidentally, Hagan

is Lawton Chiles's niece. I wonder if he has more family in Florida. . .

by: andgarden @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 14:04:36 PM CST

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We've seen

That many times these candidates we consider to be second-tier can ultimately be successful. Sheldon Whitehouse, Jeff Merkley and Kay Hagan, were all the 3rd or 4th choice to run and all ended being successful.

by: safi @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 18:07:38 PM CST

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They were also in states considerably smaller than Florida.

Rick Noreiga was the top recruit in Texas and went nowhere.

Getting your name rec up in a big state requires a LOT of money, so you'd better be able to raise it, or be able to inspire Chuck to raise it for you. Merkley and Hagan both kindof had the latter deal going on, although I haven't looked deeply to see how much Hagan actually raised on her own.

Now, if you're a really compelling but unknown candidate, in an obviously winnable state, with an open seat, then sure the DSCC is gonna be interested. Even so, they can't raise your money all on their own, not for a state that expensive. So again, you'd better have the name rec already, OR have the fundraising prowess you'll need to raise it.

Klein seems to have the prowess. Sink supposedly has the name. Beyond that I have no real knowledge to offer.

by: texas dem @ Wed Dec 03, 2008 at 01:13:18 AM CST

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That's really

Cutting off your nose to spite your face. I'm sure there are reasons to be against Sink, but some apprehension about running against an incumbent seems like a pretty weak one.

by: safi @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 13:59:40 PM CST

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So true

I cannot fault anyone for not wanting to sacrifice a secure elected office for what would be a fifty-fifty bet. Tom Udall didn't want to take that leap either, but it looks like the same thing is happening.

by: corran horn @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 15:18:39 PM CST

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Actually it is a very strong one

You don't want a senator like Martinez who lacks passion for the job.

Someone who passes on a tough race should normally be passed on as a candidate for someone tough enough to take on a challenge.

Tom Udall's wimp act was bad, but at least reasonable since he had responsibility in Washington already.

Sink may still be a fine candidate, but she should drop multiple pegs in anyone's eyes if she changes now, especially since running against Martinez was not exactly running against Churchill.

by: tommypaine @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 17:23:57 PM CST

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Udall's wimp act?

Are you talking about him not willing to run against Domenici? Udall may have won by 20 points against the nut-bar Pearce, but Domenici, despite the attorney scandal thing was popular enough that no Democrat (Richardson included) would've ever tried to run against Domenici because they would've lost.

Even after Domenici retired, most people in the state (myself included) thought that Wilson was going to win the primary, and trust me, Udall would never have won by the same margin against Wilson that he did against Pearce. It's asking a lot for someone to give up a safe House seat and a much-coveted spot on Appropriations to run a race that isn't 100%.

Your go-to source for great sarcasm

by: DGM @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 17:52:15 PM CST

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Oh c'mon

Udall passed after Domenici said he wouldn't run. It took polls showing him over 15 points against either Wilson or Pearce to get him to run.

Politics is only 100% for wimps or those who care more about themselves than their country. That's no way to think.

By the way, Udall polled almost exactly the same against Wilson as Pearce, so, trust me, he would have still won by 10% or more.

As for Sink, I can't imagine she would prefer to run against Bush than Martinez.

by: tommypaine @ Wed Dec 03, 2008 at 03:07:29 AM CST

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I live in Albuquerque and I know a few things about my state

Heather Wilson is not nearly as poor a campaigner (nor as insane) as Steve Pearce is, she's been able to win in a district that is generally more Democratic than the state at large (unlike Pearce who represents a district that is closer to Texas than to anything else). Udall's name recognition was certainly better than Wilson's was, but her fundraising potential was a lot better than Pearce's had been.

While we're on the subject, should the Republicans reward Steve Pearce for deciding to run for the Senate seat, even though his entrance into the race probably cost them any chance of retaining Domenici's seat?

Your go-to source for great sarcasm

by: DGM @ Wed Dec 03, 2008 at 19:21:30 PM CST

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yeah this is a dumb argument

mark warner was not going to challenge john warner, but look how that turned out. and tom allen had the guts to jump in and take on a popular moderate 2 term senator. and he got his clock cleaned and may not get another chance for high office. so i respect politicians who keep their powder dry.

by: st paul sage @ Wed Dec 03, 2008 at 16:45:52 PM CST

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Well, considering

That no Dem has announced for this race and been "tough enough to take on a challenge" Sink has shown as much courage as anyone.

by: safi @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 18:13:25 PM CST

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You know

A lot of Floridians care about the job of CFO -- she has a responsibility there as well.

draftalex.com
Draft Alex Sink for Governor

by: draftalex @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 18:24:38 PM CST

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Here's my disagreement

She is a superstar essentially can either be a Senator or Governor, both seats that are desperately needed for this country (FL Gov is pretty damn important considering redistricting, she can do 2 terms and be gov through 2020) OR she can run for Senate.

Well one seat will be in 2014 and she could stay put and rack up even more awesomeoness. Or, she could run for Senate, against an incumbent who will have a lot of money on his side since he knows a lot of Bush friends. I'd take the much easier open race too, wouldnt you? Gov and Sen are damn fine jobs, if it comes down to picking which Capitol you'll end up in, it comes down to what opportunity is the most winnable and the Sen race was not as winnable.

BUT, she shouldve waited to make any announcement until Martinez made his. That was her mistake.

by: Andrew @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 17:45:42 PM CST

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In fairness, wasn't Martinez's announcement surprising?

Follow the elections in Georgia at the 2010 Georgia Race Tracker.

by: TheUnknown285 @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 17:57:01 PM CST

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Where's the evidence she's a superstar?

About 40% of Florida knows enough about her to form an opinion. She polled even or slightly ahead of Martinez in the PPP polling, with huge numbers of undecideds.

Neither of those is bad, but that's not a superstar level. That's moderately well-regarded state officer. Colour me unconvinced.

by: Englishlefty @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 18:45:20 PM CST

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Crist?

Any chance that that Crist may step up?

Follow the elections in Georgia at the 2010 Georgia Race Tracker.

by: TheUnknown285 @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 13:56:36 PM CST

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No chance.

by: ChadInFL @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 13:58:06 PM CST

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Jeb Bush is "seriously considering"

According to the political pulse blog: http://blogs.orlandosentinel.c...

draftalex.com
Draft Alex Sink for Governor

by: draftalex @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 15:25:55 PM CST

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If he does jump in

The race is essentially over. Sad to say but it's true. No friggin idea how that nutter maintained 60% approvals during his time as Governor and he's still popular. Sigh...

by: ChadInFL @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 17:14:37 PM CST

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I'll say it for everyone

FUCK!! A GOD DAMN BUSH IN THE SENATE!!! NO!!!!!!!!!!!!! UNACCEPTABLE!!!!

but anyway, that really sucks... But, at least he is competent, there is a reason he has such high approvals ratings in Florida, and if he left office with 60% ratings, then more power to him I guess.

by: Andrew @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 17:41:33 PM CST

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I doubt it

I cannot see Jeb being 1 out of 100 legislators nor as a legislator period. If he's anything like his brother, I'd imagine he'd rather have a job where he'd be the center of attention. Plus, why would he want to be a junior senator in the minority party?

by: corran horn @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 21:14:31 PM CST

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From what I've heard

If Jeb had any other last name he would've been the GOP nominee in 08. If Jeb believes that he may think 2012 is his time, in which case he can't run for Senate in 2010.

by: safi @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 21:24:21 PM CST

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This makes sense to me. My first thought when she said no, was

She was eyeing the governor's race in 2014 and didn't want to suffer from a polarizing race that could marginalize her ground with Hispanics. However if Jeb gets in this race is over... Bleh.

by: JeremiahTheMessiah @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 16:56:53 PM CST

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Ahahaha

I turn on my TV and hear my local Fox News affiliate in Central FL breifly mention Martinez retiring. They phrased it something like "why would such a young, popular Senator with a bright future step down from his job? Stay tuned to Fox."

Bright future?!? Popular Senator?!?! I swear, even the local Fox affiliates have become total crackpots.

by: ChadInFL @ Tue Dec 02, 2008 at 19:04:48 PM CST

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FL-Sen: Martinez Will Retire | 55 comments