Sen. Martinez is interviewed about his issues with the stimulus package. He says that it spends money in the wrong places and won't stimulate the economy. Needed to focus on money that would create jobs and fix housing economy. Says he was not able to support the package. Also discusses the King of Spain's visit and the historical and economic connection between Florida and Spain.
Section 1: Bill O'Reilly reads emails on air in reaction to his coverage on Pope John Paul II. Section 2: Hannity & Colmes cover the life and death of Pope John Paul Il. Sen. Martinez discuss with Hannity & Colmes the selection of the next pope, Pope John Paul II's religious stance, the political pressures people try to place on the pope.
Mark Caputo from the Miami Herald talks about Sen. Martinez on the campaign trail, his political leanings and his background with CSPAN. In an interview with CSPAN discusses, his Cuban heritage, growing up in Cuba, his move from Cuba to the United States through the Pedro Pan program as a teenager, his life during the Cuban revolution (both his experience while in Cuba and the United States), his relationship with his parents, his heroes, how he met his wife, how he became a lawyer, how he ended up in public service, the "Martinez" doctrine, how he came into politics, his current family life. Interview ends at 33 min, 45 sec.
Sen. Martinez along with three other politicians from background states (Governor Ed Grandel from Pennsylvania, Governor Tim Paulenti from Minnesota, Senator Sherrod Brown from Ohio). Sen. Martinez discusses the chances of the McCain campaign in Florida. The other politicians also discuss the chances/effectiveness of the McCain/Palin campaign in their home states as well as McCain's campaign as a whole, Obama's ties to Reverend Wright, the stances of the presidential candidates on the issues, how the economic crisis has affected the campaigns, the chances of the candidates as a whole.
MSNBC discusses the democratic and republican primaries on Super Tuesday including a discussion with Charlie Cook, Editor of the Cook Political Report. Sen. Martinez, as a McCain supporter, discusses Sen. McCain's chances as taking the republican nomination, his thoughts on the dust up between McCain and Mitt Romney regarding Sen. Dole's recommendation of McCain and the need for the republican party to unite behind a candidate.
MSNBC discusses the chances Sen. Clinton has for winning the democratic nomination. Pres Bush, in a press conference, discusses rising tensions in South America, specifically between Columbia, Venezuela and Ecuador. Bush reinforces his support for Columbia's president including by going forward with a free trade agreement and speaks to congress about its importance. Sen. Martinez not present on this disk.
Sen. Martinez presents the life and contributions of Pope John Paul II to the Senate and how the Catholic church has helped him in his own life. Disk is mislabeled as FNC Hannity and Colmes + MSNBC Hardball.
Ninoska Perez-Castellon from WAQI 710 AM radio show introduces Sen. Martinez to the audience at Coral Gables Congregational Church. Sen. Martinez discusses his book, "A Sense of Belonging" about his life in Cuba and his transition to life in the US. Martinez also answers questions about whether anything is going on in the house or senate to help Cuba, where Martinez would be involved in a documentary/movie about the generation of Cubans who have survived through the Bay of Pigs, etc., how the government makes the decision to trade with China and not Cuba, how you get to be a senator, does Martinez have plans to translate the book into Spanish, foreign policy towards Iran, to bring consideration to Pres. Bush for Miriam Arosena's husband, civility in Washington in particular his working relationship with Sen. Bill Nelson, the presidential election. Disk shows C-SPAN 2's "Book TV 'A Sense of Belonging' ".
Senator Martinez introduces the Gas Price Reduction Act. The legislation will include more caps for the commodity's future trading commission, ensure greater transparency in the trading environment, and commission a study regarding spectators and how they may or may not be influencing gas prices.
Sen. Martinez says he never thought to be a campaign politician. Did it to serve the country. Gives brief history of how he became to be campaign politician. First senator in the history of the US to not have been born in the US. Likes to be clear, wants people to know he will not rerun for senator in 2 years. Discussion of rumors, which he proved false. Says he will go back to private practice. Talking about Jeb Bush becoming the next governor. A Mano limpia (“clean hand”) is referring to speaking with Mel Martinez as a friend, not as a senator. Allowing the possibility of another Bush to take office is not part of any plan, just him wanting to get back to his private life. Asked about choosing Sarah Palin for John McCain, he says he doesn’t like to speculate the past, but look to the future. Talk about relations in Cuba, the economic crisis, the banks have money and don’t want to share, so we must stimulate, not demand. Hispanic force in the government, not enough presence in voting because the mindset is “we are Americans, we are Puerto Ricans” etc, not as a whole people. Discusses how he views his legacy after leaving office.