Posted on 04/15/2015 5:20:55 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Marco Rubio announced his candidacy for presidency of the United States at the Freedom Tower in Miami on Monday, highlighting his family’s hardscrabble immigrant roots, embracing traditional values but also vowing to usher in a “new American century.”
As a matter of political pragmatism, is there any convincing reason Rubio shouldn’t be the Republican to take on Hillary Clinton in 2016? Because when it comes to natural political talent, it unlikely the GOP can do better.
For starters, Rubio is the most compelling speaker in the Republican field.
Sen. Mike Lee says Rubio “can bring grown men to tears with emotion.” This is something voters value. And judging from yesterday’s performance, Rubio’s speeches can be infused with an emotional quality that much of the prefabricated rhetoric we hear does not have. Not only do you sense that his belief in American exceptionalism is genuine, but that his populist sensibilities will allow him to credibly broach the subject of inequality – mostly, because he has a captivating family story to lean on.
Let’s face it, even if Rubio is overrated, he’s probably the kind of consensus candidate GOP primary voters are going to have to settle on, anyway.
Other than his futile shot at immigration reform, Rubio has been reliably conservative. The Jeb Bush candidacy, driven by oodles of cash but little popular support, makes Rubio seem more palatable, while the Cruz candidacy, almost exclusively propelled by grassroots, makes him seem less severe. The money and votes will gravitate to whoever can win – if, that is, the person is somewhat ideologically acceptable to rank and file.
As Politico points out:
An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll last month reflected that upside among the rank-and-file. More Republicans, 56 percent, said they could back Rubio than any other candidate, including Bush (49 percent).
(Excerpt) Read more at thefederalist.com ...
I might as well ...
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
As I recall, McCain was the GOP’s best hope...until he got the nomination.
Best hope for what?
I have overall liked Rubio a lot. I just don’t see any way he’s the most ready for the campaign or the presidency.
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I tend to agree and doubt that he’ll do well in the debates. Just my humble opinion. That said, I can see a Walker-Rubio ticket for a number of reasons.
I like Cruz but the reality is the GOP will fight him tooth and nail every inch of the way. They will undermine him at every opportunity and conspire to financially starve his campaign. There is no way they are going to allow him to be the standard-bearer for the GOP.
I think you’re right. Politically, he’s in the right place. Gain prominence by running for prez and settle for VP if it gets down to that. Even if the ticket loses, he becomes a viable national figure in the process. Win-win all around for him.
Rubio has all the charm of Pee Wee Herman or of that nice guy in the van offering candy bars to little children. He may say what we want to hear, occasionally, but what he means and what he does have proven to be totally different. Amnesty is an absolute deal breaker, and I will not vote for any candidate who supports Amnesty for those who entered our country illegally. [Other deal breakers? Gun rights and Obamacare; otherwise I'm open-minded and willing to accept less than perfect.]
Rubio would leave everything Obama has done in place
Rubio would be a terrific VP for Walker.
Cruz would be a great Attorney General.
Or even better, a Supreme Court Justice.
“Sen. Mike Lee says Rubio “can bring grown men to tears with emotion.” This is something voters value.”
Surely I’m not the only guy left in America who despises men who cry...unless, of course, their dog just died.
Mine are
#1 Walker or Cruz (still undecided on number 1 so both tied
#2 Rubio
#3 Santorum (loyalty)
Nobody else at all......Will write in Sarah Palin if anybody but those 4 names are mentioned.
That means they probably have dirt on him they'll hold on to till he becomes the GOP pick for prez.
I give men a pass when their mom’s die that is about it. Even when their kid dies and they act emotional on TV it seems a bit over the top. Mom only! Men should not cry in supermajority of situations.
Spot on bigtoona, what you wrote is precisely why I don’t trust him. Rubio will say whatever he feels he has too to get the conservative vote and then toss the conservative overboard when the RINO’s and communist come calling.
Cruz or lose
Love to see a clip of that, I can't find it.
Go big or go home...Cruz all the way.
Right - he lied, knowingly and enthusiastically.
At the time I got the strong impression he considered us conservatives rubes that could be had by a smart guy like himself using a little Reaganesque rhetoric.
No deal.
Yeh then right after his speeches he run out and exhibits poor judgement like getting sucked into the Gang of Eight and now today wilting and going along with this BS legislation Corker is trying push through the Senate on Iran.
Yes, losing Florida would be devastating.
But even with Florida, the GOP is still pretty good at finding ways to lose. Advantages are something they quickly squander. ;)
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