NM Governor Susana Martinez Delivers on the Big Stage in Tampa
- Posted on August 30, 2012 at 1:01am by
Christopher Santarelli
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New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa (AP)
New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez catapulted to the national stage Wednesday night with her remarks at the Republican National Convention, telling her path to the GOP and why she believes her party, led by Mitt Romney, will offer the best future for the United States moving forward.
“Growing up, I never imagined a girl from a border town could one day become a governor. But this is America Y, en America todo es posible,”said Martinez, who is the first Latina governor in United States history and expected to be of key importance for aiding Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney close his massive 30-point gap in support from Hispanic voters against President Obama.
Martinez’s opened her close to 11-minute speech by calling attention and reverence to those facing extreme weather conditions on the Gulf Coast, and encouraged viewers to donate to the Red Cross. From there, the first-term governor quickly took hold of an engaged and at times ecstatic crowd, moving from her personal story to an indictment of President Obama on the economy, and a proclamation of support for Mitt Romney.
Martinez spoke of helping her parents, including her father who was a golden gloves boxer in the Marine Corps, start their security guard business as a teen, making sure to provoke loud applause after mentioning guarding the “parking lot at the Catholic Church bingos” with a Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum.
“Success is not built on resentment and fear,” said Martinez, going on to describe the growth of her parents company while taking subtle and not-so-subtle jabs at the current administration.
“But my parents took the risk. They stood up. And you better believe that they built it.”
Martinez was elected governor in 2010 running on a platform pledging to cut wasteful spending, lower taxes, fight for education reform and “end ‘pay-to-play’ practices,” winning support from Tea Party groups and 2008 Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin. Martinez herself was reportedly on Mitt Romney’s list of potential running mates.
The New Mexico governor told the convention crowd of her career in the District Attorney’s office, prosecuting child abuse and child homicide cases, as well as losing her job after testifying against her boss, who she would go on to beat in his reelection for the District Attorney for New Mexico’s Third Judicial District. Martinez described her experience as governor, working in a bi-partisan manner to turn the state’s deficit into a surplus without raising taxes.
“I fear some of our leaders today have lost the courage to stand up,” said Martinez Wednesday. ”They won’t offer real plans, and only stand up when they want to blame someone else.”
Martinez described her party switch from Democrat to Republican in the mid-1990s after reflecting on issues of welfare and the size of government. Speaking proudly as America’s first Latina governor, Democrat or Republican, Martinez said she is motivated to help create a path for young girls to follow.
“They need to know; no more barriers,” said Martinez.
Martinez criticized President Obama for raising the national debt and failing to keep promises he made to lower unemployment, cut the deficit in half in his first term, or pass immigration reform in his first year.
During an interview with Newsweek in May 2012, Martinez expressed disappointment with Romney’s answer on immigration reform during a January primary debate, as well as the Republican primary campaign’s general outreach to Hispanics.
“‘Self-deport?’ What the heck does that mean?” Martinez said at the time. “I have no doubt Hispanics have been alienated during this campaign. But now there’s an opportunity for Gov. Romney to have a sincere conversation about what we can do and why.”
In New Mexico, Martinez has sought to repeal a state law that grants driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants and signed an executive order that requires state law enforcement check the immigration statusof criminal suspects. In the Newsweek interview, Martinez expressed support for comprehensive immigration reform that would include increased border security, deportation for criminals, a guest-worker program, and a pathway to citizenship through the military or college for children brought here illegally by their parents.
Aside from criticizing the president, Martinez did not comment further on immigration reform during her convention remarks.
“Mitt Romney and I are very different. Different starts in life. Different paths to leadership. Different cultures,” said Martinez in closing.
“But we’ve each shared in the promise of America, and we share a core belief that the promise of America must be kept for the next generation. El sueno Americanos es tener exito. It’s success.”
Martinez left the stage to a standing ovation from the convention crowd, immediately followed by Republican nominee for Vice President Paul Ryan.
“Martinez has tended to fly under the radar…but those days are over,” tweeted Monica Crowley following the remarks. Chris Cillizza of The Washington Post rated Martinez as one of the night’s biggest winners.
“Before tonight most people – including most Republicans – didn’t know much (if anything) about the New Mexico governor,” wrote Cillizza, who compared her demeanor to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. “The strength of Martinez’s speech was, for us, the most surprising thing about the night.”
While New Mexico went to Barack Obama in 2008, and still leans towards him in 2012 with 52 percent support in recent polls, the southwestern state has been won by Republicans in four of the last eight presidential elections, most recently by George W. Bush in 2004.
Watch Susana Martinez’s convention speech below:
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myway
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 2:14pmShe rocks! I hope to hear more from her. I bet she still has that 57 mag in her purse. I bet obama is beating muchelle after he got pounded over and over. The obama media is freaking out and even screaming. This is getting good people!
Report Post »JUROR1
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:58pmshe only won because hispanic name.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 2:30pmYou are illiterate
Report Post »myway
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 2:31pmYou are wrong! She is a fine lady!
Report Post »joeslick
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 2:37pmI would have rather had her in the white house the last 4 years instead of what we had…who won only because he was black.
Report Post »crusaderx9
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:36pmConservative, Intelligent, and Passionate – another beautiful Republican woman who cannot be intimidated. Great speech and one of the best lines of the night!
Report Post »oneshiner
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:52pmAnother conservative up and comer. I was so proud to listen to Susana and loved her speech.
New Mexico, you should be so proud of your Governor.
With all the lib/dem hatefulness I’ve come to the conclusion, liberals don’t love their children or care what happens to them. Seems harsh, but it must be true or they‘d be concerned about what’s happening to our Country under the obama take over of everything from taking us into Depression to overspending, to supporting Unions allowing them to keep bad teachers for life while our children are getting more stupid each day. Somethings mighty wrong with liberal thinking when it harms our kids.
Report Post »JUROR1
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 1:49pmbeautiful? you need glasses !
Report Post »QuincySmith
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 8:40pmjurorIQ1;
You are a shallow bore!
Report Post »Tresse
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:18pmOneshiner, the liberals practice the utlimate child abuse, abortion. So I would have to agree that they hate their children.
Report Post »rsanchez1
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:29pmNice to see that New Mexico got it right after Bill Richardson was sent packing.
Report Post »trtmntdude
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:57amBy far my favorite speech of the evening. I grew up in Miami and know for a fact that most Latino values are indeed conservative. Socially and fiscally.
You’ve got to give it to the dems though. They are damned-good liars and deceivers. And republicans have been on the defensive for far too long. THAT, my friends, has got to stop.
Report Post »rsanchez1
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:28pmThey are indeed, but I think you see them particularly well because of the Cuban community in Miami. They had to suffer under communism, and know the value of freedom. Hispanics from other countries suffered under despots who managed to convince them that they were on the people’s side and instead of branding themselves as communists, branded themselves as socialists who give back to the people. Unfortunately for them, the revolutions that installed socialists regimes ended long ago, and broke the will of the people, and unlike the Cubans, they do not yearn for freedom.
Report Post »LukeAppling
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:34amMost of the Hispanics I know are hardworking Americans struggling to improve their lives and the lives of their children-the American dream. they are not bloodsuckers wanting to be “taken care by Obama” . When you give government money to people they become weak and dependent which is what FDR, LBJ, Carter , {Clinton also wanted that but Hillarycare bombed and Clinton was led by his nose by Gingrich to reduce welfare and save his Presidency, after two vetoes of the welfare bill Clinton finally signed it and now he can boast about his success but it was built on Gingrich] and Obama want to keep them enslaved and not allow them to become wealthy on their own. If people become wealthy on their own they don‘t need government and don’t need Obama and that frightens Obama and his friends.
Report Post »cranberry
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 11:20amAnother magnificent speech, I was soooo impressed by her.
Report Post »texdogs
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:58amas an American Hispanic i found the speech great. If conservatives would talk to Hispanics about the principles a huge majority would find out that they are indeed Republicans. Democrats have played the race card for far too long with minority groups when in fact the biggest racists in the world are liberal progressives who have it all ie welath, education and don’t want anyone else on their block. they talk a big game but in reality don’t want anyone else to be “elite” do you really think pelosi lives in the hood in sf? she and her ilk live in million dollar homes away from the masses, I used to live in CA. her only connection to “minorities” is bogus claims from unions when they bus people in for a meeting or town hall. Republicans need to realize that we all want to prosper and have a better future for our kids. We need to talk issues with people without regard to political correctness. Mexico is far more racist than the USA. Their the lighter you are higher you reach socially, USA is the only country that offers an opportunity to change your lot in life, in Mexico you can only escape it.
Report Post »kedward
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:47amI live in the neighborhood Susana grew up in. A mostly blue collar, Spanish/English speaking, hard working area, where parents want a good life for their children and, know they have a better chance to achive that in the United States than just a mile to the South: Mexico. Why? Because our government is based on personal freedom rather than the State control advocated by the failed governments of Europe that continue to exist only because American taxpayers kept the Russian bear from their door.
Report Post »paulwbrown
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:56amI watched her speech last night. Initially I felt bad for her following the block buster speech by Condolleezza Rice. But there was no need by my sympathy. The governor was wonderful, very impressive. Another rising start in the conservatives’ ranks.
Report Post »smokeysmoke
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:05ammartinez and ryan were my two favorite speeches… she is one brilliant woman…
Report Post »bugstoo
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:50amHey gal! I thought that the main stream language in America was English? I liked your speech, but was insulted by you using hispanic inserts. Damn! if you come to our country to be a citizen then you should damn well learn our language and assimilate instead of living in the barrios! She should be addressing Americans!!
Report Post »paulwbrown
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:05amShe obviously speaks very good English. The two Spanish quotes just helped to reinforced that she is Hispanic and perhaps to assure some that she is an “authentic” Hispanic. As far as coming here, did you know that many Hispanics lived here before the Mexican territories became U.S. territories and states? So they never crossed any borders and never immigrated! I don’t recall her particular status, but we need more conservatives like her who are self-made.
Report Post »rsanchez1
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:25pmOh come on, you’re not gonna start with that “the U.S. stole Mexican land” thing, are you?
Report Post »TunaBlue
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 12:56pmYou are either a troll or a very ignorant individual.
Report Post »Blazen420
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:04amGreat speech! This woman is going places.
Report Post »countryfirst
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:04amThank goodness for upbeat and lively Martinez & Rice, Since we had to watch McCain and Pawlenty decompose before our very eyes.
Report Post »The soon to be VP was great, go get it done Paul
smokeysmoke
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 10:05amdid you see mitch mcconnell…. that was a sleeper
Report Post »Chromo200
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:00amUgh another story about a person with humble beginngs making a positive influence in our society. What the heck this world comming to. I know Obama had humble beginings but his influence is to make me dependent on him vs others who are showing me the way to be independent and self reliant. I just can’t fathom how intelligent people believe Obama is a great president.
Report Post »Wildblue3
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 8:16amI think a position on the Cabinet would definately help. Should Romney reveal his Cabinet now in order to help reach out to other groups??
Report Post »jujubeebee
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 7:57amHer speech impressed me alot. I liked when, after the dinner she got in the car, turned to husband and said I’ll be damned~we are republicans! That was the best part for me.
Report Post »There are so many that think they are democrats because it was drummed into their heads to be democrats~that democrats care more about the middle class and the poor. It is bocus propaganda. What has Obama done for us with his wastefulness~printing money to cover his a$$ and made it more expensive to go to the grocery store, buy gas, goods and service. He is stealing from everyone’s dollar by way of QE1 &QE2. You don’t have to tax someone to take from someone! If the groceries aren’t more expensive then the box or container is smaller.
13th Imam
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 8:41amThis little NM peach was the bomb. Her “I’ll be damned We are Republicans” was the line of the night
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 7:50amImpressive. If Romney wins I’d give her a cabinet post. A pew position. The Department of English Language. The new department would require and help those living here to learn an understandable ability to speak our official language. English.
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 9:18ammake that new, not pew position.
Report Post »kcinco
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 7:34amI’d vote for her if she ran for president. In the least, I wish she was the governor of my state, a next door neighbor to New Mexico. She could replace the liberal who holds that office here and do good things for us.
Report Post »Hoax And Chains
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 7:12amMartinez for President!
Report Post »Hoax And Chains
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 7:08amWait… this woman is Latino? And she’s conservative Republican? How is that possible? I thought the Republican party hated Latinos… and blacks… but didn’t Mia speak at the RNC? They must hate themselves… they have to be race traitors… right? I mean, the liberal lefties wouldn’t spout rhetoric and hateful lies… would they?
Report Post »TelepromoterNChief
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 4:56amHold on a second.
Report Post »I thought Obama had New Mexico in the bag.
I mean, he did speak to one of their radio stations.
I forgot….what color did you like Mista Prezidente?
Mickeyd
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 3:54amThis girl just rocked the house! She was my favorite tonight (you were great too, Paul Ryan, and we love you). Looking forward to hearing more from my girl Susana!
Report Post »PATTY HENRY
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 4:06amStraight TALK and sincerity will beat Politeze…like Tim Pawlenty (he’s so phony) or John McCain…
But Susana, Condi and especially PAUL RYAN were WONDERFUL!!! They are the NEW FACE of PATRIOTISM!!!
Report Post »jujubeebee
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 7:59amWhoever Patty Henry is I feel like they are constantly articulating my views on here!
Report Post »DarkJello
Posted on August 30, 2012 at 3:13amGood speech. Once again we see that the Republican tent is much, much bigger than most in the media will admit. First latina governor ever!! Very important.
Finally, R&R FTW in 2012.
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