Now Martinez's growing support appears to becoming from those in McCollum's conservative base who think he has the best shot in replacing retiring Democrat Sen. Bob Graham.

Washington Republicans believe that with a close election likely in November, the Cuban-born Martinez will draw Latino voters to the GOP and help President Bush.

Conservatives have been upset that McCollum recently joined with liberal legislators such as Sen. Teddy Kennedy to call for stem cell research on human embryos. The pro-life Martinez says he will vote to ban such practices, which, as the Associated Press has pointed out, are not a priority among scientists.

Conservatives were similarly angry during the 2000 election when McCollum came out strongly for the liberal version of the "hate crimes" bill, also pushed by Kennedy, that included "sexual orientation."

The gay lobby strongly supported the inclusion, but conservatives note that crimes such as assault and murder are of course already illegal and that such laws can be used to persecute and prosecute what the left deems to be thought crimes.

The Washington Blade reported on Sept. 1, 2000, "Democratic Party supporters of the hate crimes measure, including openly Gay Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), said they welcome McCollum's effort, saying that, until now, House GOP leaders have been the main obstacle to final approval of the hate crimes legislation …."

Some conservatives believe that McCollum's loss in 2000 in the same state President Bush narrowly won was due to his wobbly stand on issues that turned off social conservatives.

Martinez opposes the Senate's recently passed "hate crimes" bill. The Senate passed the bill only after it was tacked onto a defense authorization bill because Senate Democrats did not have the votes for passage in a straight up and down vote.

Editor's note: