Sen. George LeMieux scrutinizing recommendations for vacant U.S. attorney posts

On the heels of Sen. George LeMieux's active use of "holds" to block legislation and the U.S. ambassador to Brazil comes word that he has been reviewing U.S. attorney recommendations suggested to the White House by Sen. Bill Nelson and former Sen. Mel Martinez.

LeMieux met with White House counsel Greg Craig on Nov. 9 to review the names submitted for the vacant U.S. attorney spots for the Middle and Southern districts. LeMieux's office would not discuss specifics, saying it was inappropriate to comment before a nominee emerges.

The Buzz is people close to Gov. Charlie Crist are throwing up objections to Harry Shorstein, a Democrat and former state attorney in Jacksonville who is now in private practice and has been recommended for the Middle District, which stretches from Jacksonville to Naples.

Nelson and Martinez passed along three names to the White House: Shorstein, interim Florida Middle District Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert O’Neill and Florida Middle District Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg. Background here.

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Mel Martinez: Quitter, Lobbyist

Daniel Ruth: The reality is despite the two-year ban, Martinez most certainly is joining DLA Piper not because of his keen, Matlockesque legal acumen, but as a de facto lobbyist. Or put another way, his all too brief time in the U.S. Senate was little more than a four-year, taxpayer-funded master class on how to succeed at influence peddling.

This much is pretty certain. One area Martinez, who beat a hastier retreat from his public vows than Britney Spears from Kevin Federline, won't be consulting clients on is contract law — you know, irritating legal concepts such as when someone hires you for a job for a specific period of time, you are expected to honor your word even if a better deal comes along.

Mel Martinez on his new job

When Mel Martinez quit the U.S. Senate, we assumed he wanted to go back to Orlando to work, accomplishing a stated desire to be close to family. But his new job with the giant law-lobbying firm DLA Piper will place him in Tampa and Washington, D.C. UPDATE: A DLP spokeswoman adds that Martinez will spend "much of his time" working in Orlando.

In a statement today, the ex-senator says, “DLA Piper’s global footprint and international networks provide me with the ideal platform to return to private legal practice, while allowing me to stay close to home and my family. The firm has market-leading practices in areas like financial services, energy, real estate and defense, where I know I can make a significant contribution. Working in DLA Piper’s offices in Florida, I look forward to helping the firm grow its practice in Latin America and collaborating with a team of distinguished lawyers and professionals with the highest level of legislative knowledge and diplomatic skill.”

Mel Martinez headed to lobbying job?

Legal Times has the scoop on Mel Martinez's post-Senate job: The Orlando Republican is joining the offices of DLA Piper as a partner in its Washington and Tampa offices.

DLA Piper partner Ignacio Sanchez confirmed the news following a partnership vote. Martinez, who left the Senate earlier this month, starts at the firm on Oct. 1. “When he announced he was going to retire and let the governor appoint someone to finish out the term, I immediately talked to him and said, you really ought to consider looking at our firm. I think you would really do well, and we would love to have you,” Sanchez said.

The former senator will be banned from lobbying for two years, though Sanchez said he will be able to advise clients on a range of issues.

As of 5 p.m., Martinez is the ex-U.S. Senator

George LeMieux meets the press

He's not a senator just yet, but George LeMieux was making the Capitol rounds Wednesday. After watching Mel Martinez give his farewell address, LeMieux joined the retiring senator for a lunch with other Republican lawmakers.

Martinez warns Florida lawmakers against 'mistake' on oil drilling

Sen. Mel Martinez warned Republicans in the Florida Legislature against a push to open up off-shore oil drilling. "Look at what we did," he said of the 2006 federal law that keeps oil rigs 230 miles off Tampa Bay and 125 miles off the Florida Panhandle.

"We did something that opened up a lot of drilling, but it did protect Florida’s coast," Martinez told reporters after his farewell speech. "To do it as close as they are talking about would really be a mistake."

With the support of future House Speaker Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, oil and business interests are pursuing a plan that would permit the sale of drilling leases in state waters between the shore and 10 miles off Florida's Gulf Coast.

Mel Martinez farewell: 'Grateful to the people of Florida'; 'regret' over immigration reform

Retiring U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez has begun his farewell speech, recounting with great pride the arc of his public service while expressing disappointment over failed immigration reform and pledging to devote himself "to seeing a day when the people of Cuba can live in freedom."

"The unique opportunity to serve in the United States Senate is the culmination of an unlikely journey, ­ a journey that has taken me from the country of my birth to the halls of the most cherished institution of our democracy," the Orlando Republican said in prepared remarks. (click here for the speech)

Martinez, 62, announced last month that he was vacating his seat a year early, citing a desire to be with family in Florida. His speech was delivered to a mostly empty Senate chamber, but several colleagues spoke warmly of his devotion to family and the Hispanic community.

"He is truly an example of the American success story," said Sen. John Thune, R-South Dakota. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, said an immigration reform bill would pass one day and it would be a tribute to Martinez and the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.

Sen. LeMieux will be official Thursday

George LeMieux is set to be sworn in as Florida's new United States Senator on Thursday afternoon. Vice President Joe Biden will administer the oath at 2:45 p.m.

LeMieux will be keeping retiring Sen. Mel Martinez's office in the Russell Senate Office Building, and probably much of Martinez's staff. His committee assignments are not yet set.

Martinez is scheduled to give his farewell speech on Wednesday.

McCain and Martinez to hold health care forum

Sen. Mel Martinez will hold a health care forum tomorrow in Hialeah with Sen. John McCain and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.

“This is going to be a frank discussion with health care providers, patients, and other stakeholders to air concerns about the current system and what steps Congress should take to address the problems," the retiring Martinez said in a statement.

The event will be held at Palmetto General Hospital, 2001 W. 68th St., and begins at 3:30 p.m. McCain and McConnell have been touring the states on the issue.