Republicans pick Cuban-American to lead party for 2008 vote
Republicans pick Cuban-American to lead party for 2008 vote
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Cuban-American Senator Mel Martinez (news, bio, voting record) has been elected to lead the Republican Party, which aims to woo back Hispanic voters for the 2008 presidential election after its crushing defeat in November elections.
"To become the party of the future means we must also open our doors wide open so all Americans can feel welcome," Cuban-born Martinez, 60, said after he was elected as general chairman of the Republican National Committee.
The Florida senator will serve as RNC general chairman until the 2008 presidential election, and will share running the Republican Party with chairman Mike Duncan.
"Senator Martinez will help our party effectively communicate the Republican message of hope and opportunity for all Americans," said President George W. Bush, who named him to succeed Ken Mehlman after the Democrats routed the Republicans in both houses of Congress in the November 7 legislative elections.
Martinez co-chaired Bush's 2000 election campaign in Florida, the state that gave Bush the presidency after a long vote recount battle with Democratic rival Al Gore went all the way to the Supreme Court.
Florida is home to the largest Cuban-American community in the US.
Martinez was secretary of housing and urban development under Bush until he resigned in December 2003 to run for the Senate.
His election signals the Republicans' determination to reverse their loss of Hispanic voter support, which in the November elections dropped to less than 30 percent, from more than 40 percent in the 2004 presidential poll.
Martinez will serve as honorary Republican Party chair, while Duncan will take care of day-to-day operations.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070120/pl_afp/uspoliticsrepublicansvote2008_070120011642
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Cuban-American Senator Mel Martinez (news, bio, voting record) has been elected to lead the Republican Party, which aims to woo back Hispanic voters for the 2008 presidential election after its crushing defeat in November elections.
"To become the party of the future means we must also open our doors wide open so all Americans can feel welcome," Cuban-born Martinez, 60, said after he was elected as general chairman of the Republican National Committee.
The Florida senator will serve as RNC general chairman until the 2008 presidential election, and will share running the Republican Party with chairman Mike Duncan.
"Senator Martinez will help our party effectively communicate the Republican message of hope and opportunity for all Americans," said President George W. Bush, who named him to succeed Ken Mehlman after the Democrats routed the Republicans in both houses of Congress in the November 7 legislative elections.
Martinez co-chaired Bush's 2000 election campaign in Florida, the state that gave Bush the presidency after a long vote recount battle with Democratic rival Al Gore went all the way to the Supreme Court.
Florida is home to the largest Cuban-American community in the US.
Martinez was secretary of housing and urban development under Bush until he resigned in December 2003 to run for the Senate.
His election signals the Republicans' determination to reverse their loss of Hispanic voter support, which in the November elections dropped to less than 30 percent, from more than 40 percent in the 2004 presidential poll.
Martinez will serve as honorary Republican Party chair, while Duncan will take care of day-to-day operations.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070120/pl_afp/uspoliticsrepublicansvote2008_070120011642
posted by presgore19 at 6:33 PM
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