Martinez: I Won't Impose My Immigration Views On The Party

Coverage of the RNC Winter Meeting in DC

Saul Anuzis, the blogging chair of the MI GOP, wanted to see whether RNC general chair designee Mel Martinez would present his views on immigration -- he's for a guest worker program -- as representing the official view of the GOP. The answer, according to a conversation Anuzis had with Martinez last night, is No.

Anuzis writes that he "asked him about his role and Senator vs that of General Chairman and how he planned on balancing that. Specifically, we talked about his position on immigration reform and his support for the Senate bill that provided “amnesty” for illegal immigrants."

Here's the response:

He talked about the process and how the bill developed. However, his main point was that he felt it was important to separate his role and position as Senator from that of General Chairman. He said he was committed to NOT use his position as General Chairman to push any issue nationally or advance his personal agenda through the RNC. He was very much aware of how difficult this would be, but was committed to serving the RNC and the President the best he could while respecting the fact that some of his positions may not be in line with much of the grassroots in the party.

Anuzis concludes: "Overall, Senator Martinez is a pretty conservative Senator. Even though he had a career as a trial lawyer, he voted for “tort reform” last year, he wants to see limited government and the expansion of personal responsibility and opportunity in American."