John McCain was thrilled by the Martinez nomination. No wonder. They work together well.

The Senate's version of immigration "reform," S.2611, contained three separate amnesties, had just six cosponsors, but those cosponsors included both Mel Martinez and John McCain.

A Martinez RNC chairmanship is a thumb on the scale in McCain's favor for the 2008 Republican nomination. After all, Martinez's main job as RNC General Chairman is to make friends with wealthy Republican donors across the United States.

Martinez could readily shift from his RNC post to a high post in the McCain campaign, donor list in hand, without risking his Senate seat.

Usually a Republican candidate for president must actually win the nomination before he gets to appoint someone to make policy for the Republican Party. Why McCain is being given this kind of advantage by the Bush White House is a mystery.