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Sen. Martinez Hails War 'Turnaround'

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By GEOFF FOX, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 17, 2008

SAN ANTONIO - A year ago, all the news from Iraq and Afghanistan was "gloom and doom," U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez said Wednesday.

Speaking to about 200 people at Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club, Martinez said things have changed dramatically for the better, thanks largely to the leadership of Gen. David Petraeus, who commands the multinational forces in Iraq.

During a roughly one-hour talk at a Pasco County Council of Chambers leadership luncheon, Martinez also spoke about a national catastrophic fund, electronic surveillance of terrorists and presidential campaign issues, among other topics.

"Gen. Petraeus has engineered one of the most brilliant turnarounds in military history," said the senator, a former trial lawyer, Orange County GOP chairman and Cuban immigrant who fled the Castro regime at 15. "People can see that we're winning - even in Hillary Clinton's mind. It's still complicated and difficult, but U.S. casualties in December were the lowest in four years.

"We can leave Iraq, not as defeated but as a nation that helped stabilize Iraq. Think of the difference in saying, 'We defeated al-Qaida in Iraq' or 'We were defeated by al-Qaida in Iraq.'

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The comment was met with loud applause.

Besides Martinez, state Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa; state Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel; and Pasco Sheriff Bob White, also a Republican, spoke briefly. All three praised Martinez's accomplishments, and Crist implored people to vote, regardless of party affiliation.

Weatherford regarded the occasion as a "great opportunity to have a U.S. senator come and talk to us."

As he took the lectern, Martinez said national defense is the federal government's most important function.

"We need to keep the country safe and secure," he said. "As someone who lived under tyranny in another place, national security is No. 1 with me."

He later was asked by an audience member about his views on electronic surveillance of terrorism suspects. "There's a conversation between two known terrorists outside the country. We can intercept those calls, and if we can, shouldn't we?" he said. "If someone is on the phone with a terrorist, it'd be kind of nice to know what they're saying."

In response to another question, Martinez said that he and fellow Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, a Democrat, proposed a bill to establish a national catastrophic fund.

"There's very little enthusiasm in the Senate to move it forward, though," Martinez said. "It is a long shot, but we're working hard on it."

He said he understands that property taxes are too high and he supports "more research into the mitigation of hurricanes."

In the coming presidential election, Martinez said he expects health care to be a major issue.

"Unless we fix it in Washington, we'll never get it fixed," he said. "It's too expensive and doesn't cover everyone. We need to provide a vehicle for everyone to be insured.

"As a Republican I believe you can fix it through an open market and keep it private, not a socialized form."

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 948-4217 or gfox@tampatrib.com.

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