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Martinez's Main Job In Senate

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 23, 2007

Mel Martinez gave up his role as chairman of the Republican National Committee last week, saying he wanted to return to his 'main job': representing Florida in the U.S. Senate.

That should be good for Martinez and his constituents. Party chairmanship is too much of a job for a full-time senator.

In relinquishing the post, Martinez gave up the national exposure he received as the GOP's principal spokesman. But the exposure did little to help Martinez, the people of Florida or, for that matter, the Republican Party.

Martinez's poll numbers have fallen. And even though he still has three years before again facing Florida's voters, he has to be looking ahead to the next election.

He took the chairmanship 10 months ago only because President Bush asked him. Bush thought choosing a Hispanic for the post would help Republicans court Latino voters.

That didn't turn out to be the case. Instead, Martinez's popularity plummeted after he championed the president's immigration proposals.

The party chairman is more than just a spokesman and fund raiser. He or she must be intimately involved in developing strategies to invigorate the party, raise money and recruit quality candidates to run for office.

Moreover, during a presidential-election cycle, the demands on a party chairman require full-time attention, something Martinez could not promise.

With his resignation, Martinez can now devote his time to doing what he was elected to do: Serve the people of Florida. Welcome back, senator.

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