Rubio: faith 'single greatest influence in my life'

WTOP News (Washington DC) ^ | 18 January 2016 | STEVE PEOPLES

[COBOL2Java]

Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., right, talks to members of the audience following a campaign stop in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

---

WAVERLY, Iowa (AP) - Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio promised to keep "talking about God" as he campaigned across Iowa Monday, reminding influential evangelical voters of his commitment to Christian values just two weeks before the state's leadoff caucuses.

The Florida senator's GOP rivals have dismissed him as too moderate at times, but on Monday, he spoke of how Christian conservative values would guide his decisions in the White House, if he is elected. The Florida senator, a Catholic, opened up about religion when confronted by an atheist during a town hall-style meeting in Waverly, Iowa.

"No one's going to force you to believe in God. But no one's going to force me to stop talking about God," Rubio told the atheist, Justin Scott, of Waterloo.

Added Rubio, "Not only am I a Christian, not only am I influenced by my faith, but it is the single greatest influence in my life. And from that I'll never hide."

Looking up at businessman Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in the polls, the first-term senator is trying to break out of the crowded Republican field. There are several candidates aggressively courting Iowa's religious conservatives, who typically play outsized influence in the opening contest. Cruz is particularly popular among such voters, as is retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Pennsylvania Gov. Rick Santorum.

[MagUSNRET]

So was he influenced by his faith before or after his alleged mistress issue? (This is Pandering with a capital PANDER!)

[Lurkinanloomin]

He can talk about whatever he wants to, I stopped listening to him when I saw him cutting up with his Gang.

[House Atreides]

Oh, GAG me with a spoon....MARCO, being a duplicitous, despicable LIAR is NOT a Christian value.

[COBOL2Java]

I seem to remember another smooth-talking pol who wore his faith on his sleeve.

...maybe he can loan Marco his giant Bible to tote around, eh?

[SteveSCH]

The slick funboy lawyer is trying to slither his way into the hearts of Christians... Don’t be fooled folks.

[SteveSCH]

Mistresses!

Also supposedly he paid for one of their abortions...

[Dagnabitt]

Amnesty whore and serial liar Rubio now lying about religion.

[datura]

Lol!!

Panders aren’t just bears in China anymore!

[MagUSNRET]

Another point to ponder....doesnt it prove Marco has trouble dealing with the TRUTH, based upon nothing more than his need to wear a toupee? (THings that make ya go Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm) TRUTH is, you are balding Marco...deal with it!

[biff]

So why don’t they all just jump on the church wagon and just have a nice little hay ride. Plan out our Bible passages we each plan on reading so as not to conflict with each other. Ok, who picks Catholicism and who picks Protestant?

[COBOL2Java]

The kid there doesn't seem terribly persuaded by Marco's faux-sincere pose. His face seems to be saying "Yeah, right"

[Awgie]

I am turned off by the word “faith.” It was chosen by the PC crowd to represent religion in the most generic (and meaningless) fashion. I cringe when I hear it.

I belong to a group of contrarians. We worship the opposite of God. We have “faith in Dog.”

I was really struck today listening to Trump when he said, “We have to protect Christianity.”

[NavVet]

The second most influential thing in his life is apparently Chuck Schummer.

[Seaplaner]

Amnesty whore and serial liar Rubio now lying about religion.

You have a gift for succinct summary, my good FRiend.

.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Something about Iowa just brings the Jesus out in everybody. :-)

[HoosierWordsmith]

Trump, Rubio...they are all finding religion today! God bless their little hearts!

[octex]

If Rubio couldn’t pander, he would be nothing. Loser!