Republicans: assuming the position
Wednesday, November 15th, 2006 3:45 pm by Neal(Hat tip: Michelle)
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| Mel’s new friend |
Count me in with the “grumblers”:
“Some grumble over choice of Martinez to head GOP”
The right-leaning Washington Times on Tuesday said conservatives were comparing Martinez’s appointment to that of Harriet Miers’ nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court — a move that the White House reversed after a torrent of criticism.
…House conservatives who rebuffed the Senate immigration plan — instead, backing a fence along the border with Mexico — offered only tepid support for Martinez.
”I believe that he will be a successful and effective chairman if he advocates an agenda that reflects the sentiments of party members,” Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., said in a statement, noting that Martinez ”appears to be a very competent” spokesman for the party.
”By the same token,” said Tancredo, who led opposition to the Senate immigration plan, “if Mr. Martinez rejects the will of rank-and-file Republicans and uses the position to advocate for things like the president’s amnesty proposal, then I believe the party could be headed for another shellacking at the polls in 2008.”
WON’T CHANGE
And he suggested that he will continue to push for immigration reform.
”Border security only, enforcement only, harshness only is not the message I believe that America wants to convey,” Martinez said.
Martinez is a stupid choice as chairman of the GOP. He will be a part-time, pro-amnesty chairman. That really ought to bring the base back home. Why couldn’t the Republicans pick Michael Steele? Was he just too popular for the base, and Bush didn’t want to upset the Democrats?
Martinez also says that he will not be an “attack dog” for the GOP. Great. Somebody needs to call Big Gay Al. I think Sparky has found a new friend.