Thread: BREAKING NEWS: MEL MARTINEZ RESIGNS

Just announced on CNN.

Story below.

Wow! Can't wait to hear more news.

Here's the story:


WASHINGTON (CNN) — Florida Sen. Mel Martinez plans to step down as general chairman of the Republican National Committee, after serving just nine months on the job, CNN has learned.

Two GOP sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, tell CNN an announcement is planned for later Friday.

The sources say Martinez feels he has accomplished his goal of helping the RNC improve its financial standing after the 2006 midterm drubbing. But they also acknowledged that he believes serving in the national post has contributed to a decline in his political standing back home in Florida, and the senator is convinced he needs to focus more on his personal politics. The senator, who is the GOP’s most prominent Latino spokesman, is not on the ballot in 2008, but is up for re-election in 2010.

Martinez officially became general chairman in January, when his selection by President Bush was endorsed by the national committee. Bush extended that offer last November, just after Republicans lost control of the House and Senate. Martinez initially declined when then-White House political adviser Karl Rove called to ask him to take the post. But he accepted when the president followed up with a personal appeal.

At the same time Martinez became the general chairman, longtime national party operative Mike Duncan of Kentucky was chosen to be the RNC chairman. Duncan runs the day-to-day affairs of the committee, while Martinez served more in a fundraising and spokesman's role. Duncan will stay on as chairman, though it is customary for a party's presidential nominee, once selected, to select someone to lead the party heading into general election campaign.

– CNN Chief National Correspondent John King

Top GOP boss to quit
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Florida Sen. Mel Martinez plans to step down as general chairman of the Republican National Committee, after serving just nine months on the job, CNN has learned.

Two GOP sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, tell CNN an announcement is planned for later Friday.

The sources say Martinez feels he has accomplished his goal of helping the RNC improve its financial standing after the 2006 midterm drubbing. But they also acknowledged that he believes serving in the national post has contributed to a decline in his political standing back home in Florida, and the senator is convinced he needs to focus more on his personal politics. The senator, who is the GOP’s most prominent Latino spokesman, is not on the ballot in 2008, but is up for re-election in 2010.

Martinez officially became general chairman in January, when his selection by President Bush was endorsed by the national committee. Bush extended that offer last November, just after Republicans lost control of the House and Senate. Martinez initially declined when then-White House political adviser Karl Rove called to ask him to take the post. But he accepted when the president followed up with a personal appeal.

At the same time Martinez became the general chairman, longtime national party operative Mike Duncan of Kentucky was chosen to be the RNC chairman. Duncan runs the day-to-day affairs of the committee, while Martinez served more in a fundraising and spokesman's role. Duncan will stay on as chairman, though it is customary for a party's presidential nominee, once selected, to select someone to lead the party heading into general election campaign.

– CNN Chief National Correspondent John King

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/

Mission Accomplished -

The sources say Martinez feels he has accomplished his goal of helping the RNC improve its financial standing after the 2006 midterm drubbing

I doubt this !

Either the pressure from LaRaza or the Republicans against Boosh and illegal aliens forced him out.

Good news. He was used as planned -- to try to get the amnesty thru. too bad..

All has been Bush's fault, he loves to stack the odds (strategery ha!). Senor Jorge is gutless and ruthless!

Originally Posted by IndianaJones

All has been Bush's fault, he loves to stack the odds (strategery ha!). Senor Jorge is gutless and ruthless!

You forgot stooooopid

Hopefully he will also announce he is resigning his Senate seat to become Ambassador to Cuba!