Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL) Resigns as RNC Chairman

On Jun 27, the ARRA Editor called for Sen Martinez (R=FL) to resign as RNC General Chairman. In an Open Letter to RNC General Chairman Mel Martinez - Time to Resign! we said:

Martinez actions have now demonstrated that he is unable to be a consequential leader in rebuilding the Republican party. Without conservatives who believe in God, family, and country and who are working together to strengthen and to uphold moral and traditional family values and Republican principles and ideals, the Republican Party ceases in its significance. We have a RNC Chairman and the additional General Chairman position is not needed . We need an RNC that "serves" to advance the principles of the Republican party and not the dictates of the White House regardless of who occupies it. We need a RNC that unites us! Senator Martinez do the right thing and resign as General Chairman.

The White House had arranged the election of Martinez as General Chairman creating a meaningless two headed problem at the RNC which was objected to by many conservatives. This action limited the power of the position occupied previously by a single chairman. Martinez RNC leadership suffered when he tried to convince Republicans that they should support "amnesty" for illegal aliens. Republican congressional leaders and conservative activists objected and bucked Martinez and the administration-backed measures that would have created a path to citizenship, i.e., "amnesty", for millions of illegal aliens.

Martinez announced Friday that he was stepping down immediately as chairman of the Republican National Committee. Martinez said there was "no need to wait" to return to his "main job" as senator. The ARRA agrees along with a large number of conservatives that there was no need for him to wait! Previously, Martinez had announced that he would step down next February, after Republican voters had settled on a presidential nominee. Republicans insiders say that Martinez needs to focus on retaining his seat in Florida where his job approval rating has fallen.

We have learned that Martinez's General Chairman position would not be replaced. This is no loss, because Marinez was not in charge of running the RNC operations. We are pleased to learn that the former co-chairman Robert "Mike" Duncan, who has been in charge of day-to-day operations, will assume full control will be the "Chairman" and again the RNC will have a "single leader" leader at the helm of the RNC.. We wish Mike Duncan the best as he works to help elect the Republican Party nominee as the next president. See also: RNC Statements on the Resignation of General Chairman Mel Martinez

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