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But Martinez's future campaign plans have more to do with what Graham does than with what the White House wants. Martinez has been coy about his political future, even though he has held elective office before in Orange County, Florida. He is perhaps the most visible and well-connected Hispanic-American politician in the state, and a natural choice to run for the Senate or governor, particularly given his strong support among Cuban-Americans. But there seems little doubt that he will return to Florida and seek elective office again.

Prior to the presidential campaign of 2000, Martinez took a trip to Washington and made the rounds to conservative think tanks and publications to introduce himself and raise his Washington profile. It was apparent to all who met him that these meetings were intended to build name recognition for somebody who someday, sooner rather than later, intended to run for statewide office.

Martinez -- and Republicans -- may be trying to keep their powder dry because of growing uncertainty about Graham's plans. Until a month ago, it appeared certain that he would run for the Democratic presidential nomination. But what was supposed to be comparatively minor heart surgery became more complicated, with a longer recuperation time. Graham has been fundraising for a presidential run, and has been pulling in money, but he has yet to formally announce, and he has not appeared at a single major Democratic Party function where other prospective candidates were speaking. He remains in Florida, recuperating.

"Graham knows the clock is ticking, and while there is still time, he's given everyone else a huge lead time to get out there in Iowa and New Hampshire and even South Carolina," says a Democratic National Committee staffer. "It may be that his surgery set him back just too much timing wise, and he'll just focus on the Senate."

If Graham were to decide not to run for re-election, Martinez would immediately become the frontrunner. But Graham remains one of the most popular politicians in the state of Florida. If he does run again for the Senate, it's doubtful the GOP would put Martinez up for that fight, leaving it instead to someone like former Rep. Bill McCollum, who has announced he will run for the seat regardless of Democratic competition, and who lost in his Senate bid in 2000.

"You don't burn a guy like Martinez if you can avoid it," says a Republican National Committee staffer. "He's one of those guys with the potential to be a big political star. But even guys like that can't overcome a strong incumbent."

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Nancy Pelosi, Iraq, NATO