Will Mel Martinez Support the DREAM ACT Now That He Has Resigned as GOP Chairman?

Senator Mel Martinez resigned as GOP Chairman - does this mean he will now support the DREAM ACT? Interesting that this happens after a few days the first ever "Latino Youth Leadership Summit" and intense lobbying for the DREAM ACT by young Latinos in Washington. Of course his ratings are down under 50%. He says that his real obligation is to his constituency, which is true. I wonder if he thought any about Juan Sebastian Gomez when he first decided to go against the DREAM ACT- maybe he had an attack of conscience.

It will be interesting to see what happens next.


_____


Posted on Sat, Oct. 20, 2007
Martinez resigns as Republican Party chief
Miami Herald

By LESLEY CLARK
Just 10 months into the job and before a Republican presidential nominee has emerged, Sen. Mel Martinez, national party chairman, said he's calling it quits and will focus on his job as a Florida senator.
The abrupt announcement came after reports suggested Martinez would leave the post at the Republican National Committee as soon as next spring, when a GOP nominee was chosen.

But Martinez said in a conference call Friday that he had achieved his goals -- among them, putting the party on a good financial footing.

''It became increasingly apparent things were in sufficiently good shape, and it was probably a good moment to get back to my main job, my real obligation and passion,'' Martinez said.

Martinez, who kept a low profile as a GOP leader, was a reluctant party boss from the start. President Bush tapped the Cuban-born senator to be the public face of the party just a week after the GOP lost control of Congress in November amid declining support from Hispanics.

His appointment was greeted with dismay by conservatives in the party who opposed his embrace of the immigration package pushed by President Bush.

Democrats suggested he was fleeing a ''sinking Republican ship'' to repair his own poll numbers, which are under 50 percent.

''For too long, Martinez's loyalty to President Bush has trumped his responsibilities as Florida's junior senator,'' Florida Democratic Party spokesman Alejandro Miyar said.

Martinez acknowledged the balance had been difficult at times. Bush said in a statement that Martinez had ``served his party with the same distinction he serves his country.

''When Mel accepted the position as general chairman of the Republican National Committee, his goal was to ensure our party had the structure and resources in place for all Republican candidates in the 2008 elections to be successful,'' Bush said. ``He has more than fulfilled that mission.''



for link to article click title to this post