Mel Martinez, RNC chair...Sigh...
Michelle Malkin

Oh, well. Michael Steele has been passed up for Sen. Mel Martinez. Yes, a squish on border security is now the RNC chair. Has the GOP learned anything?

Here's a reminder of the Center for Immigration Studies analysis of Martinez's amnesty bill:

Hagel-Martinez Amnesty. The Hagel-Martinez bill, or Senate bill 2611 (also called S. 2611), has three separate amnesties or legalizations: One for illegals in the country five or more years, one for those who have been here two to five years, and one for those who work in agriculture.  ...

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Breaking: Mel Martinez to replace Ken Mehlman as RNC chairman
Allahpundit

Just across at CNN. Looking for details. Standby.

Update: Presumably this means he’s leaving the Senate and Florida Gov.-elect Charlie Crist will appoint his replacement. If so, that’s all to the good: Martinez has been a disaster on immigration. Kyl’s prospects for a filibuster just increased by one vote, assuming Crist chooses wisely.

Update: I figured it was too good to be true. He’s accepted the position — but he’s not leaving the Senate.

Under the arrangement, Martinez will remain in office and serve as the party’s lead spokesman as well as take a major role in fundraising and political outreach, while RNC General Counsel Robert (Mike) Duncan will oversee the committee’s day-to-day responsibilities. ...

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An Underwhelming Choice For RNC
Ed Morrissey

The Republican National Committee selected its new chairman to replace Ken Mehlman. Instead of Michael Steele, who made his interest clear, the GOP selected Senator Mel Martinez -- a choice that has underwhelmed conservatives:

[...]

Mel Martinez? Well, since the Republicans are in the minority, I suppose the extra work won't interfere with his legislative duties, but it's hardly an inspiring choice for conservatives. Martinez himself has an exceptionally inspiring biography, of course; he fled Castro's Cuba at 15, without his family, who followed four years later. He taught himself English and put himself through college and law school. He served as a county party chair for three years and helped deliver Florida -- barely -- for George Bush. After that, Bush tapped him to run HUD, and he won his current seat in 2004.

Conservatives have problems with Martinez over his moderate position on immigration most of all. Martinez supported the McCain-Kennedy comprehensive reform plan, as did Bush. For those who see that as a major problem in energizing the base, choosing him as RNC chair seems like putting out a fire with gasoline. Even his decision to remain in the Senate irritates them, because a resignation would allow Jeb Bush or Charlie Crist to nominate a replacement, one more inclined to champion the conservative cause on immigration.

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RNC chair: The people's choice
Michelle Malkin

Ian Schwartz has a poll up: Who should be the chairman of the RNC?

Results so far...

[graph]

What say you?

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Poll: Who should be the chairman of the RNC?
Ian Schwartz

If you chose other, feel free to explain who you would choose.

UPDATE: RedState is calling Martinez the “the Harriet Miers of RNC chairs“. Well put. Michael Steele was perfect for the position and I continue to support his nomination. What I don’t like about the Martinez pick, other than the fact he has only been a Senator for two years, he is not charismatic, he supports amnesty, is he will not only stay in the Senate during his tenure, but he will also share the chairmanship.

What is the Republican party thinking? We just lost the Senate, the House, and the majority of Republican Governors and now we’re supposed to support a chairman who will have two full time jobs? ...