By Javier Manjarres | 09/11/09 | 12:54 PM EDT

Several weeks back at the Republican Party of Florida Quarterly meeting in Orlando, I told Senator George LeMieux, then a mere candidate on the Governor’s short list, that I would support him just as long as he did not support any of President Obama’s Socialist policies. Believe it or not, I meant it.

As most of the country knows by now, this past Wednesday night, South Carolina congressman Joe Wilson verbally expressed his dissatisfaction of the proposed Universal Healthcare agenda during the President’s television sales pitch. With his outburst, Congressman Wilson expressed the sentiment that  millions of Americans share. I praise and respect him for have the rancor to express himself openly against such a despicable attempt to shove the proposed healthcare bill down our throats. What is very disturbing is that many ‘establishment’ type Republicans are not supportive of Congressman Wilson, yet they did criticize him and demanded he apologize to the President. I wonder if these are the same Republicans that courageously denounced the Democrats booing of President George W. Bush at his 2005 State of the Union address?

Where was the outcry then?

Senator LeMieux was also quick to comment about what Wilson’s said by stating that his actions were “embarrassing and shameful”. Come on Pep, you seem like a nice guy, what is up with that? Shouldn’t you have least waited a more few days before ticking off your Republican base? Senator what is truly embarrassing and shameful is the fact that your close friend, Governor Charlie Crist appointed you over several more experienced and qualified candidates. Your appointment stinks of cronyism.

This being said, we do need to be fair and take a wait and see attitude with Senator LeMieux. While assuming his official Senatorial position of ‘place-holder’, I have serious reservations about how the Senator will vote on the pressing issues that will impact the nation. Senator LeMieux has stated that he is a,” Charlie Crist Republican”. This obviously means that the Senator agrees with Governor Crist’s policies, endorsements and appointments.

Shall we list a few of them? We shall.

-appointed Liberal FL Supreme Court Judge James Perry (endorsed by Planned Parenthood, while being opposed by the NRA)

-supports Amnesty for Illegal immigrants. “I like Sen. Martinez’ and Sen. McCain’s approach.”

-supports some form of a ‘Green’ bill.

-is against off-shore drilling.

-raised Cigarette Taxes by as much as $1 a pack.

-supported and campaigned for the Obama ‘Porkulus Package’

Senator LeMieux is also considering the Presidents Healthcare plan? There is nothing to consider here. Public option or not, the President’s plan is nothing more than Government controlled healthcare.

Republicans across the country are campaigning to oust and block any and all reckless and fiscally irresponsible Obama-lite Republicans that are currently in office, or considering a run for office.

The decision for Republicans in Florida to pick a new ‘Conservative’ Senator in next year’s mid-term election is turning out to be a very clear and obvious one-Yes,He can!

ORIGINAL POST

Declaring himself “grateful” for the opportunity to serve, Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) on Wednesday officially resigned from the U.S. Senate.

Martinez, who had announced earlier in the year he was not seeking reelection, decided last month he was ready to leave Congress even sooner and would depart as soon as a replacement was selected by Gov. Charlie Crist. George LeMieux, Crist’s former chief of staff, was tapped to replace Martinez and will be sworn in Thursday to the Senate.

Martinez, who has not announced his future plans, said he would continue his work as the first Cuban-American elected to the Senate on issues important to the community.

“Even though I will no longer hold public office, my passion to work to see the day when people in Cuba will live in freedom will continue,” he said.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A state lawmaker says Gov. Charlie Crist is picking his former chief of staff George LeMieux (leh-’MEW) to replace Republican Sen. Mel Martinez, who is resigning.

State Rep. Jennifer Carroll, who was considered for the position, said Crist told her he is choosing LeMieux. Crist planned to make the announcement later Friday.

By choosing LeMieux, Crist picked the candidate he trusts most to fill out the term that expires in January 2011. Crist is running for the seat in next year’s election.

LeMieux ran Crist’s 2006 campaign for governor. Crist then picked LeMieux as chief of staff. He left for a Tallahassee law firm in December 2007.

Martinez announced this month that he wouldn’t complete his first term.

Crist is running against Marco Rubio for the seat that Martinez has vacated.  Rubio had this to say in a statement “This is a disappointing pick for Florida. George LeMieux is a talented political operative and the governor’s best friend, but that doesn’t make him the right choice to represent Florida in the Senate. Governor Crist had a wealth of consistent and principled conservative candidates to choose from, all of whom would have been a reliable check and balance on the excesses of the Obama-Pelosi-Reid agenda.”

Tallahassee, FL (AHN) – Florida Gov. Charlie Crist will announce his choice of replacement for Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL) this week, according to reports. Martinez’ retirement take effect as soon as the governor announces his choice, who will join lawmakers when Congress reconvenes next month.

Crist currently has 10 candidates for the seat he himself is seeking in the 2010 election. Earlier this week, the governor asked former U.S. Reps. Mike Bilirakis, Louis Frey and Clay Shaw to be vetted. The three joined state Rep. Jennifer Carroll, former Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney, former U.S. Attorney Bob Martinez and former state House Speaker Dan Webster as potential appointees.

Also said to be in the shortlist is George LeMieux, who was a chief of staff to Crist, and former Secretary of State Jim Smith.

Three Republicans have refused to be vetted: U.S. Reps. C. W. Bill Young (R-FL), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), and former U.S. Sen. Connie Mack.

The governor’s appointment will stay until the end of Martinez’ term next year, and will join lawmakers when Congress returns to session after a month-long recess on Sept. 8.

Crist began looking for a replacement on Aug. 7, when Martinez cited his family and 12 years of public service and announced that he would not finish his term. Martinez, the first Cuban-American to serve in the Senate and Housing secretary before his 2004 election, had said in December that he would not seek a second term.

Charlie Crist

Crist is running for the Republican nomination against several candidates, but his main competition comes from former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio. Rubio is running to the right of Crist, attempting to paint the well-tanned governor as an ally of President Barack Obama and his broad deficit spending programs. Democratic hopefuls in the race include North Miami Mayor Kevin Burns and Miami-area Rep. Kendrick Meek.

Building up support for the run, Crist has already secured endorsements from Mel Martinez, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), former Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and an influential Miami-area Republican family, the Diaz-Balarts.

Jennifer Carroll

Gov. Charlie Crist met with state Rep. Jennifer Carroll Wednesday afternoon during a stop in Jacksonville. Carroll, the only Black Republican in the Florida House of Representatives, is one of several people under consideration by Crist for a short relief stint in the U.S. Senate as Sen. Mel Martinez quits early.

If selected, Carroll would be the first Black U.S. senator in Florida history, and only the second Black woman, after Illinois’ Carol Moseley Braun, to serve in the U.S. Senate. In the Florida Legislature, she represents Fleming Island, a community located about 15 miles southwest of Jacksonville.

‘Went well’

Carroll, a former U.S. Navy officer, took time out from preparing to celebrate her 26th wedding anniversary with her husband, Nolan, to speak exclusively to the Florida Courier immediately after her interview at Cecil Field in Jacksonville, where Crist was touring an F-15 aircraft repair facility.

“The interview went well,” she said, estimating that she spoke to the governor for about 45 minutes. “He asked questions about legislation and policies concerning health, cap and trade, Cuba, and the military, among other things. I was fully prepared.”

Carroll said that she had gotten calls and e-mails from friends and supporters who thought she should apply for the vacant Senate seat. She didn’t apply and was “stunned” to receive a call on Tuesday from the governor’s office asking if she could have a chat with Crist about the position the next day.

Met with family

“It was unexpected. It felt like something heavy landed on my lap,” she exclaimed. “I told them that I would entertain the thought after I communicated with my family.

“They gave me the OK. My husband Nolan said, ‘It’s about time they recognized your talent,’” she grinned.

Carroll played down the historic nature – if she is appointed – of being Florida’s first Black female senator.

‘It’s what you do’

“I’ve been the ‘first Black’ for a number of things,” she explained. That’s insufficient. It’s what you do with it that really counts.” She said that if she got the appointment, she would be up to speed on day one. She mused about what her appointment would mean.

“It would be a great message, especially to our young ladies, if I were appointed and on the national scene, that anything is possible if you are prepared. When a door is open, be equipped and prepared. They should know that the world is their oyster, and that they shouldn’t limit themselves to their four walls. It would be a great way for me to help others and expand opportunities for others.”

NRA, NAACP

Carroll was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and immigrated to America at age 8. She enlisted in the United States Navy in 1979 and served for 20 years before retiring as a lieutenant commander. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of New Mexico, and a master of business administration from St. Leo University. She and her husband have three children.

She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and a lifetime member of both the National Rifle Association and the NAACP. Carroll was elected to the state House of Representatives in 2003 and was subsequently reelected in 2004 and 2006.

According to Carroll, Crist is looking to have his selection made prior to when Congress returns to Washington, D.C. from its summer break scheduled to end on Sept. 8.

Others considered

Crist also met with University of North Florida president John Delaney while in Jacksonville. Delaney just finished a fill-in stint of his own, serving as interim university system chancellor. Delaney also is a former Jacksonville mayor.

Crist is also said to be considering former U.S. Attorney Bobby Martinez, who was previously interviewed, and the governor’s former chief of staff, George Lemieux, who was also interviewed Wednesday.

The governor has requested applications for the vacant seat from Tallahassee lobbyist and former secretary of state Jim Smith and Miami- Dade congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart. Diaz-Balart has told the governor he’s not interested. The names of former Lieutenant Gov. Toni Jennings and U.S Rep. Bill Young also have been mentioned as possibilities.

‘Great integrity’

“The consideration in my mind is I have to appoint somebody who in my belief, number one, has great integrity, will serve our fellow Floridians with honor, and will do an incredible job of making sure that we continue to be well represented in both seats in the United States Senate,” Crist told reporters in Tallahassee Tuesday. “And those are my primary considerations that they will work very hard every day for our fellow Floridians. I want to make sure that when Congress goes back in session that the people of Florida are fully represented.”

Crist and former House Speaker Marco Rubio are running against each other in the Republican primary for the seat, and Kendrick Meek is currently the only major Democrat in the race.

Crist has said repeatedly that he will not name himself as the interim senator.

U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez announced eight months ago that he would not seek reelection but has continued to spend campaign donations on consultants, staff, air fares, meals, cellphones and purchases at the Senate gift shop.

Federal Election Commission records show Martinez has spent $147,642 since his Dec. 2 announcement. He also returned $419,051 to his contributors, with $456,200 remaining in the account as of June 30.

Federal law gives officeholders wide latitude to spend campaign donations on anything related to their election or in connection with their official duties.

“My general advice is, `contributors beware,’ ” said Paul Ryan, an election law expert at the Campaign Legal Center, a Washington-based watchdog group. “The door is close to wide open for what federal officeholders can do with the money in their coffers.”

Martinez’s campaign treasurer, Tampa accountant Nancy Watkins, said the senator has adhered to federal law.

“It has to be for the campaign or official business,” said Watkins, whose firm has received thousands of dollars from Martinez’s campaign for accounting services in recent months. “There’s no conversion for personal use, and we don’t have any of that going on here.”

Martinez’s decision to step down has paved the way for one of Florida’s most hectic and unpredictable election cycles in decades. The senator initially pledged to finish his term but last week said he was quitting.

Thousands of campaign dollars in recent months went to pay caterers and restaurants, including $2,549 at the Pour House, a Washington sports bar; $591.85 for catering at the officers’ club at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa; $247.14 at the Oceanaire seafood restaurant in Washington, and $197.72 at Le Coq Au Vin in Orlando.

Watkins said Martinez held a holiday party for his congressional staff at the Pour House. She said she did not know the circumstances of the other restaurant and catering bills but suggested they could be for meetings with visiting constituents, fellow senators or campaign staff.

“Yours and my tax dollars don’t pay for those things,” Watkins said.

The campaign spent $425 at the Senate gift shop on Dec. 8 and another $215.75 on Jan. 12. Watkins said the purchases were likely flag pins, key chains or other souvenirs that bear the seal of the Senate and are given to constituents, friends and donors.

`PETTY CASH’

The report also shows money taken out of the account for “petty cash” — $300 on Dec. 30 and $233.49 on March 16. Watkins said the money was for inexpensive items, like a roll of stamps or office supplies. Martinez also continues to pay a campaign employee’s salary and overhead to wind down his election account, which Watkins compared to “a battle ship, it takes six months to turn around.”

Some of the expenses were left over from political activities and contracts begun before Martinez announced that he would not run again. Political consultant Tre’ Evers of Consensus Communications in Orlando said a Jan. 2 payment of $16,450 was the last of four installments for campaign fundraising in 2008.

“Sen. Martinez was raising money because it takes a lot of money to run a Senate race, and he was planning to make a final decision on whether he would do it later on,” Evers said. “It’s what everybody does.”

Other vendors that received hundreds of dollars from the campaign include American Express for credit card bills, AT&T Mobility for cell phone services, Chicago-based Restaurant Associates for food and beverages, Aristotle International in Washington for software, Advanced Network Solutions of Orlando for Internet access and technical support, and CVC Productions of Windermere for audio-visual services.

NOT CONCERNED

Tallahassee lobbyist Brian Ballard, who was among the dozens of donors who received campaign refunds in late December, said he wasn’t concerned about how Martinez spent the money left in his account.

“I have all the faith in the world in him,” said Ballard, who got a $2,300 check back. “I was happy to give the money to him, and when he decided he wasn’t going to run I was happy to get it back.”

The main restriction on federal campaign donations is that they can’t be spent on personal use, such as a home mortgage, school tuition or funeral expenses. Any spending that occurs because of a campaign or public office is “considered permissible,” says the FEC’s campaign guide.

Federal officeholders may also spend campaign contributions on family travel to an event that relates to their public offices. And they can donate money to charities, political parties or candidates. Martinez gave about $50,000 in June to a slew of Republican members of Congress and also to Gov. Charlie Crist, the front-runner to replace him in 2010.

FILLING VACANCY

Martinez’s early exit puts Crist in the unusual position of appointing someone to serve the last 17 months of his term at the same time he is seeking the job himself. Potential candidates include former U.S. Attorney Bob Martinez, former Secretary of State Jim Smith and George LeMieux, Crist’s former chief of staff.

Last year, Sen. Martinez paid a $99,000 fine to the Federal Elections Commission for accepting donations that exceeded the legal limits and for other violations in his 2004 campaign. The senator’s campaign said the violations were “inadvertent.”

Charlie Crist

Crist’s pick is made more complicated by the fact that he is running for that same Senate seat in 2010 and faces a primary challenge from his ideological right in the form of former state House Speaker Marco Rubio.

We chatted with some smart Florida political strategists over the weekend to get a sense for who Crist is considering for the spot. Here’s the current handicapping based on the likelihood of winning the appointment for an interim-only basis (former U.S. senator Connie Mack is apparently not interested):

• Jim Smith: A former secretary of state, attorney general and party switcher (he went from Democrat to Republican after a failed primary run for governor in 1986) Smith was seen as the odds-on favorite on Friday. But, Smith’s background as a lobbyist has become something of an issue — the St. Petersburg Times editorialized against such a pick over the weekend — and Crist isn’t keen on upsetting one of the most influential papers in the state as he runs for Senate. Still, all things considered, the sources we talked to suggest Smith remains the frontrunner for the job.
• Bob Martinez: Martinez, the former mayor of Tampa and governor of the Sunshine State from 1986 to 1990 (he also switched from Democrat to Republican, in 1983), is still very much in the mix, and would allow Crist to keep that seat in the hands of a senator of Hispanic background.
• Allan Bense: Bense, the former speaker of the state House, is a trusted conservative from the state’s Panhandle and has been mentioned for statewide office several times before. (National Republicans tried unsuccessfully to recruit Bense to challenge Sen. Bill Nelson in 2006.) Bense appears to be the hot name at the moment in Florida political circles, according to one informed GOP source.
• George Lemieux: Lemieux is Crist’s most loyal deputy, having served as his chief of staff in the state attorney general’s office and having run Crist’s campaign for governor in 2006. Lemieux was rumored as a potential candidate for the open attorney general job in 2010 but decided against a run. His pick would be reminiscent of the naming of Ted Kaufman, a longtime aide to then Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.), to fill the remainder of Biden’s term when the Delaware Democrat was elected vice president. One big difference: Biden did not name Kaufman himself, giving the pick less of a feel of blatant nepotism.
• Jeb Bush: Bush, the popular former governor, would be a slam-dunk pick for Crist but there are (at least) two reasons why it’s unlikely. First, Bush and Crist have never gotten along particularly well — there were rumors (never proven) that Bush helped encourage Rubio to run for Senate. Second, it’s not clear Bush, who turned down a run for Senate already this year, has any interest in serving on an interim basis. Crist can’t risk picking someone who won’t take the job.

U.S. Senator Mel Martinez and Congressman Adam H. Putnam are pleased to host an Education & Employment Fair

In partnership with Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance

Federal agencies and local employers will be on hand to accept your resume and discuss employment opportunities with you. Community and employment resources will also provide information on the programs they offer. Educational workshops will be given on:

• How to apply for federal jobs

• Job search strategies in a down economy

• Resume development and interview tips

Where: Hillsborough Community College, Plant City Campus

John R. Trinkle Center • 1206 N. Park Rd. • Plant City, FL 33563

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Bring your updated resume and dress for success. This is a free event. For questions contact the Office of Senator Mel Martinez at 813.977.6450 or Congressman Adam H. Putnam at 863.534.3530.

FL Gov. Charlie Crist (R), who is the establishments pick to fill Sen. Mel Martinez’s seat, issued a fundraising request wrapped around this weekend’s July 4th celebration.

In the email request Crist reminds voters that it’s he, not Marco Rubio, the other Republican in the running to become the next Florida Senator, who has the support of national Republicans:

“I am honored to have the support of Republican leaders such as U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander, John Cornyn, Mitch McConnell, Mel Martinez, John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and my friend and mentor former U.S. Senator Connie Mack.”

The full letter is available below.

Dear Friends, As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s independence, I am reminded of the very reason I first heard the call to public service. I strongly believe there is nothing we cannot accomplish as Americans if we work together in a principled way to create for our children a nation stronger than the one we inherited.

When my friend Senator Mel Martinez announced his plans to retire from the United States Senate, I had to ask myself how I could best continue to serve the people of this state I love. After much thought and prayer, Carole and I have determined that while serving as your Governor has been the privilege of a lifetime, I must take my fight for the people of Florida to the United States Senate.

Our country is facing the most profound public policy questions of my lifetime – questions relating to the economy, taxes, the role and size of government, healthcare, and national security. How these questions are answered will have a lasting impact on the nation we love.

My common sense conservative approach to government has provided real results for the people of Florida, and I believe can help right the ship in Washington. You have trusted me to fight for the people of Florida for nearly two decades. As a State Senator, as Education Commissioner, Attorney General and most recently as your Governor, I have worked to protect the quality of life for families and businesses here in the Sunshine State.

Throughout my career, protecting Floridians has been my top priority. I have fought to keep criminals off the streets and away from our children.

In the State Senate, I fought for legislation that requires criminals to serve 85 percent of their sentences, as Attorney General I led the fight against criminals who prey upon our children establishing Florida’s cybercrime unit, and then in my first months as Governor, signed legislation that requires brutal felony offenders who violate probation to go back to jail where they belong.

Education has also been a top priority for me. We’ve seen Florida’s excellence in education continue to increase with Florida earning a top-ten ranking in education last year. We’ve also fought to strengthen Florida’s families and as a result, we have seen a record increase in adoptions in Florida. And I’ve continued to support your Second Amendment rights, including signing a bill to protect your right to safely take your gun to work.

Finally, we’ve cut taxes in an historic way, standing on conservative values of keeping taxes low for families and business by passing the largest tax cut in our state’s history. 

I am honored to have the support of Republican leaders such as U.S.
Senators Lamar Alexander, John Cornyn, Mitch McConnell, Mel Martinez, John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and my friend and mentor former U.S. Senator Connie Mack.

I hope you will join our campaign, as you have so many times before.

Visit online today at http://www.CharlieCrist.com to join as a volunteer and contributor to our cause. Your contribution of any amount will help us continue our fight for less taxes, less spending, less government and more freedom, and your contribution made today will count toward the important first quarter of fundraising.

Thank you for your support! God bless you, the great state of Florida, and the United States of America.