With his tenure in the U.S. Senate coming to a close, less than a year and a half after Gov. Charlie Crist appointed him to the seat vacated by Mel Martinez, Republican U.S. Sen. George LeMieux attempted to walk away from Washington with a flashy finish and hope for a curtain call -- increasing speculation that he intends to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012.
During the lame duck session of Congress, LeMieux seemed to be everywhere, weighing in on domestic and international matters as he looked to add to his resume -- and raise his profile -- while he considers launching a bid against Nelson.
Democrats targeted LeMieux as one of a handful of Senate Republicans who could vote for the DREAM Act. LeMieux dashed those hopes, stressing his opposition to the measure.
I am very sympathetic to the young people who entered our country illegally by no fault of their own, but I will not support consideration of the DREAM Act without addressing border security, said LeMieux. I recently visited the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona and witnessed the progress toward securing the border. Fully funding and replicating our security successes across the border would allow us to address the DREAM Act. However, we are still far from achieving a level of border security that is acceptable to me or to the American people.
LeMieux also took aim at economic and domestic policies backed by the Obama administration.
The Florida senator backed the extension of tax cuts for all Americans initiated by George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003, but warned about high spending and the burgeoning deficit -- themes he has hammered hard in his 16 months in the Senate.
Families in Florida and our nation continue to face severe economic challenges, said LeMieux. Voting against the tax-relief bill would be a vote to raise taxes when our citizens are suffering, and I will not saddle Floridians with the burden of higher taxes. The tax relief bill stops the Jan. 1 tax hike and I intend to vote for it, but this compromise product is not without significant failings.
"In exchange for avoiding a tax increase, Washingtons politics-as-usual style of brokering has produced a bill that adds billions in deficit spending. Congress first order of business next session should be an across-the-board spending cap. Unless our federal governments spending is reined in, our national debt will threaten the prosperity of our people and the continuation of our Republic.
After a federal judge ruled in Virginia that the individual mandate in the new federal health-care laws backed by Obama was unconstitutional, LeMieux praised the decision.
LeMieux also weighed in on foreign policy, praising a new trade agreement with South Korea and offering harsh words after the Senate voted to open consideration of the START treaty with Russia.
What you're seeing here this week is further evidence that Congress is broken, said LeMieux, explaining his opposition to tackling the START treaty during the lame duck session. To think we would take up the solemn responsibility of approving a nuclear weapons treaty with Russia and approve a 2,000-page, $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill is an injustice. I think every member of our conference wants to be in a position where they could support the START treaty, but it deserves fair treatment and that is a full and open debate and a process for amending the language.
LeMieuxs actions have won the praise ofa key Republican leader in the Beltway -- GOP Senate Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
Hes made the most of his short time in the Senate, said McConnell last week on the Senate floor. In his short time, George has served the people of Florida with honor, integrity and purpose.
McConnell also predicted that they had not heard the last of LeMieux.
Before LeMieux can take on Nelson, he will have to fend off challengers in the Republican primary. A large crowd of candidates, including U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, incoming U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, Senate President Mike Haridopolos, former House Majority Leader Adam Hasner and businessman and retired Army officer Mike McCalister, who took 10 percent in the gubernatorial primary back in August, are looking at running.
LeMieux will face questions from primary voters about his long alliance with Crist, who angered many Republican voters for leaving the party to continue his ultimately unsuccessful bid to the U.S. Senate with no party affiliation. While Crist named LeMieux his chief of staff and appointed him to the Senate, LeMieux backed Republican candidate Marco Rubio, who prevailed in November, in the race to replace him instead of rallying behind the governor.
However, while Crist drifted to the left during his bid for the Senate, his former chief of staff went to the right. LeMieuxs record in the Senate won praise from conservatives -- including McConnell. LeMieux received an 86 score from the American Conservative Union for his abbreviated tenure in the Senate in 2009 and should score just as wellin their 2010 ratings which should be released early next year -- one more arrow in the quiver as LeMieux contemplates returning to Washington in 2012.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
