I don't think this has been posted so far, but if it has, sorry:

IMMIGRATION NEGOTIATIONS
Martinez's poll numbers take a hit as he takes on higher profileBY LESLEY CLARK
lclark@MiamiHerald.com

WASHINGTON -- Florida Sen. Mel Martinez has earned praise from President Bush and his fellow senators for tirelessly negotiating the imperiled immigration bill -- but the effort may have cost him points at home, a new poll suggests.

The survey released Thursday by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute says 37 percent of those polled view Martinez favorably -- "his lowest score ever." The Republican senator, who was elected in 2004, scored his highest approval rating of 48 in February.

But Martinez fared better than President Bush, whose 32 percent approval rating was his lowest ever in Florida, according to the survey.

The showing comes as Martinez -- who is also serving at Bush's request as general chairman of the Republi- can National Committee -- has been one of the most visible champions of the immigration bill that stalled late Thursday in the Senate.

Before the bill hit a Senate roadblock, Martinez said he has endured brickbats for his support of a proposal that some Republicans passionately oppose, but said he has also heard from folks who were pleased he was making an effort.

"I've had some very positive feedback from people saying, ‘Hang in there,' '' he said.

As for polls, Martinez, who does not face reelection until 2010, says he does not pay them much attention.

The survey of 1,174 Flor- ida voters was conducted May 24 to June 4 -- as the Senate began work on the immigration bill. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points. The poll has included Martinez since he joined the Senate in 2005.

Martinez said he was uncertain if the slump in popularity was related to his role on the immigration measure.

"Obviously a controversial issue will incite controversy, but I came to make a difference and I am doing that," Martinez said

http://www.miamiherald.com/509/story/132515.html