December 3, 2003
60-40 FILES:
Ex-U.S. treasurer touts immigrant roots in launching Senate bid (John Marelius, December 3, 2003, San Diego UNION-TRIBUNE)
Former U.S. Treasurer Rosario Marin set out yesterday to write a sequel to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's immigrant political success story by launching her candidacy for the U.S. Senate.Posted by Orrin Judd at December 3, 2003 10:13 AMMarin, who spoke no English when she moved with her family to the United States from Mexico at age 14, announced her bid for the Republican nomination to face Democratic incumbent Barbara Boxer outside Huntington Park City Hall, where she served on the City Council for seven years.
Like Austrian immigrant Schwarzenegger, Marin portrayed herself as the embodiment of the American dream when the Republican Party is seeking to make strong inroads with minorities, particularly Latinos.
"My parents were poor immigrants," she said. "In most countries of the world, my family would have remained just that, poor immigrants, and we would have had to struggle just to survive. But not in America.
"My dad, a janitor, and my mother, a seamstress, were able to see their daughter being sworn in as the 41st treasurer of the United States of America and see her signature, which they helped her practice as a child, validate the most powerful currency on Earth."
Well, let's hope she runs a good campaign. If she does, this will be a departure from other senate campaigns in California for the Republicans. Who was the last guy to run against Boxer? He ran a terrible race.
Posted by: pchuck at December 3, 2003 11:11 AMNormally, I would have tempered oj's expectations by noting that Marin will have to duke it out with Simon and presumably somebody else from the McClintock wing (among others) whihc can only benefit Boxer. However, the key here may be Boxer's high negatives, which may suggest having plenty of options among opponents. A Republican primary race along the lines of the Gubernatorial recall -- civilized -- would help.
Posted by: MG at December 3, 2003 11:33 AMLet's wish this woman the best, and hope that the conservatives in CA rally behind her. Karl Rove, take note - and give her what she needs to win.
Posted by: jim hamlen at December 3, 2003 12:53 PMIf the DNC has it its way, this could be a watershed year in America's understanding of what constitutes being Hispanic:
Estrada, Honduras -- Not Enough
Martinez, Cuba -- You Have to be Kidding Me
Martin, Mexico -- Will Get Back to You...Na'
Completing the geography course:
Jindahl, India -- "Token Arab to make up for the Patriot Act..."
And lets not get into those of African descent, there are now just too many who have been caught pretending to be Black without permission from Jesee Jackson.