RNC's general chairman announces resignation

Senator Mel Martinez quit earlier than expected.

WASHINGTON - Mel Martinez, the public face of the Republican National Committee as its general chairman, announced yesterday he was stepping down from his post after serving 10 months.

"I believe that our future as a party and nation is bright and I have every intention of continuing to fight for our president, our party, and our candidates," the Florida senator said in a statement.

His resignation came months earlier than anticipated. Martinez wasn't expected to step down until a Republican presidential nominee was selected, and the earliest that could occur is February. The RNC said Martinez's job would not be filled.

Martinez, a prominent Cuban-American who is up for reelection in 2010, said he was relinquishing the job to spend more time focusing on his Florida constituents.

"It was my goal as general chairman to lead the party as it established the structure and raised the resources necessary to support our presidential candidate and ensure Republican victories next November. I believe we have accomplished those goals," Martinez said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hillary Clinton's campaign yesterday unveiled a new 30-second television ad whose economic message to the middle class has a general election feel to it, focusing squarely on President Bush.

"The Bush economy is like a trapdoor," the New York senator tells a packed auditorium in the ad, which will air in Iowa and New Hampshire. "Too many families are one pink slip, one missed mortgage payment, one medical diagnosis away from falling through and losing everything."

The spot appears to have been filmed Tuesday night at Salem High School in New Hampshire, where printouts on the walls notified voters that the campaign was filming that evening for commercial purposes.

The ad caps a series of Clinton speeches and policy initiatives aimed at the middle class and working poor.

She has rolled out proposals for healthcare, retirement, and paid family leave, and in recent days has devoted her campaign message to that audience.

Republicans scoffed at Clinton's assertions. "Hillary Clinton's ill-conceived economic plans would devastate middle-class America by placing the burden of massive government growth on the backs of working families," Republican National Committee spokesman Danny Diaz said.

MARCELLA BOMBARDIERI,
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Barack Obama's campaign yesterday released details of next week's Boston rally with Governor Deval Patrick, who announced his endorsement of the Illinois senator this week in the Democratic presidential race.

Close followers of Patrick's gubernatorial campaign last year will recognize the site. Obama and Patrick will appear at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Parkman Bandstand on the Boston Common.

Patrick led a rally from the bandstand in the heat of the governor's race last fall.

His media team liked the event so much it used clips for a TV spot late in the campaign.

SCOTT HELMAN