What cha thinkin’ Mel?

At first blush, it’s not surprising that a dyed-in-the-wool Republican like Sen. Mel Martinez (Fla.) would vote against extending the popular and successful “Cash for Clunkers” program.

Mel’s final act as senator was to do just that, keeping up a record that began with a dirty campaign that narrowly defeated his Democratic challenger, Betty Castor, by playing the terrorist card. From there, it was downhill all the way: a $99,000 fine for campaign finance violations, poor Cuba policy from America’s first Cuban-born senator, a vote to make Terri Schiavo continue forced feeding and ventilation, the exposure of a memo from the Martinez office that explained how Republicans could exploit the Schiavo tragedy, and short-changing Florida by juggling his senate duties with his dual role as chair of the Republican party for the 2007-2008 election cycle (another job he quit early).

So while Mel’s last vote did little to redeem his legacy, it does make you wonder. Why is he still bothering to play politics? Is Martinez leaving politics or just leaving Washington? After all, he was said to have his eye on the Florida governorship back when Jeb and W’s people recruited him to run for the Senate. His abrupt departure from Washington would give him plenty of time to enter the governor’s race. His only primary challenger so far would be state Attorney General Bill McCollum. That’s the same Bill McCollum that Martinez defeated in the primary for the U.S. Senate seat he is now abandoning. If Martinez beat McCollum once, there’s no reason he can’t do it again.

Martinez’s resignation statement didn’t exactly say Mel was leaving politics.

My priorities have always been my faith, my family and my country and at this stage in my life, and after nearly twelve years of public service in Florida and Washington, it’s time I return to Florida and my family…I look forward to continuing to be an active and constructive voice on issues vital to Florida and our nation, and being an active member of Florida’s Republican Party.

Just how active Martinez will be remains to be seen. For Florida’s sake, let’s hope he just plans to do what a lot of retirees do and volunteer as a poll worker.