Sen. Mel Martinez is resigning (FL-R) (RINO)

[Hazcat]

WASHINGTON — A top GOP source confirms that U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez is stepping down. He announced the news to his staff this morning.

Martinez, the first Cuban American in the U.S. Senate, has already said he would not seek re-election in 2010, which has prompted a primary battle between Republican Gov. Charlie Crist and former House Speaker Marco Rubio. The Democratic candidate is U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek.

Crist would have to pick a temporary replacement for Martinez, adding another layer of intrigue into the race.

Rumors have been flying about an early departure for weeks. We asked Martinez spokesman Ken Lundberg about this last week and he replied, "A number of rumors have surfaced from Tallahassee in the months following the senator's retirement announcement. What he has said consistently is that no announcement is pending and that still applies."

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/article1025671.ece

More here

http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/

[tombogan03884]

 Vote for Sotomayor then bug out. What a coward.
That kind of courage is why Castro chased Mel's people out of Cuba.

[fightingquaker13]

There was a rap group back in the late '80s called 2 Live Crew. Fl. Governor Bob Martinez (no relation) had them charged with obscenity. They put out what turned out to be a very popular single called F@@# Martinez! I think its time we revisit that Golden Oldie. This guy has been a non-entity since day one and admitted to voting for Sotomajor due to race. The question is whether Crist appoints himself to take the office.
FQ13

[ericire12]

the first Cuban American in the U.S. Senate Wonder why we have not heard anything about that fact in the media..... Oh, right... he is a (R)

[Timothy]

He will probably switch parties and get an appointment somewhere in the current administration.  Ambassador to Cuba or something since we are now on speaking terms again!  I wish you Floridians all the luck, it's only ninety miles away!

[Sponsor]

[fightingquaker13]

the first Cuban American in the U.S. Senate Wonder why we have not heard anything about that fact in the media..... Oh, right... he is a (R)

Are you kidding me? They were all over it, at least down here.
FQ13
PS as far as ambassador to Cuba, given the fact that there are 12 people left on the island, the embassy would have to be on Calle Ocho.