The Rubio Menace

The Kaus Files ^ | 2/5/2016 | Kaus

[conservativejoy]

Marco and the K St. Restoration: I went to see Marco Rubio's town hall this afternoon in Salem, New Hampshire. It was only a few miles from my hotel-I really had no excuse. I wanted to find out: Was Rubio really as slick and insubstantial in this setting as John Edwards? Answer: No. He’s slicker. He's slicker, in part, because he at least seems a bit spontaneous, with a slightly goofy, human quality. I admit this is hard to judge seeing him once — maybe he always lets his 8-year-old son sit on his stool during his stump speech. But it's hard to deny the appeal.

When it comes to substance, Rubio draws on an inventory of well-prepared rhetorical modules, with just enough policy to sound sophisticated, that can be inserted where necessary to handle, say, the how-would-you-handle-ISIS question (Sunni ground army!) or disability benefits (get rid of phony claims!).

There's not much sacrifice involved in any of Rubio's proposals - even avoiding budget apocalypse, which he claims to be very concerned about, is just a matter of raising the retirement age and slowing benefit hikes for the well-off. Nothing that hasn't been floating around Washington for years. There's a heavy emphasis on electability. Big, difficult questions (like robots taking everyone's jobs) are ignored. Tellingly, however, Rubio has added a Trump Module, where he alludes to anger at stagnant wages.

He's got an immigration module too. It ignores Rubio's "Gang of 8" amnesty push while adopting what seems to be an Enforcement First framework, in which "nothing" happens, amnesty-wise, until the border is "secure." Everything depends on what "nothing" and "secure" mean, of course. But those crucial seams are effectively buried. Rubio prefaces all this with a digression on ISIS, and how it’s changed the immigration debate: Because our top priority has to be to "keep ISIS out of this country." It's an absurd, transparent attempt to put off confronting the Gang of 8 and the effects of a low-skilled influx on living standards. But the audience loves it. The ISIS digression gets the biggest applause of the day.

All of this is mildly terrifying. If Rubio's a "robot," as many have charged, he's a sophisticated new model robot with simulated humanistic elements and a charm algorithm. And if he still seems insubstantial-which he does-it's a higher level of insubstantial than you expect: You don't get the impression he's actually thought through these problems, but he knows his modules. He's the ideal choice for Student Body President of America, the best band at Band Camp. And-as those who remember Gary Hart's 1984 post-Iowa surge know-that may be good enough for Rubio to do very, very, well in New Hampshire, unless someone rudely interrupts him.

Why isn't that someone Trump? Trump's been attacking Ted Cruz lately, and leaving Rubio alone. Why? Cruz isn't going to win New Hampshire. Rubio has a chance–certainly a chance to come so close he's proclaimed the winner by the press. And Cruz isn’t going to destroy the nascent, effective populist insurgency that anti-amnesty activists and trade skeptics, led by Sen. Jeff Sessions, have built over the past three year–and that Trump is demonstrating has substantial, intense support among voters of both parties. Rubio will.

Electing Rubio, after killing the Gang of 8 bill, is like marching against the Vietnam War in the 60s and winding up with Richard Nixon running things.

This is a more difficult case to make than, say, arguing against Jeb Bush. Bush is explicit about his support for mass immigration and amnesty. Rubio has now effectively wormed his way into a position where championing mass immigration and amnesty would involve breaking what seems to be an explicit policy pledge. But anyone who has followed Rubio knows that's exactly what he'll do.

a) He's done it before, having opposed amnesty when seeking his Senate seat only to become its front man on arriving in Washington; b) He dissembled when necessary to push the Gang of 8 bill, why not dissemble now? c) The GOP establishment thinks that's exaclty what he'll do; d) His retreat from the Gang of 8 has been grudging and weaselly, always giving as little ground as he thinks he can get away with until he discovers he has to give a little more; e) He still hasn't repudiated the bill, let alone apologized for it; and most important, f) actually achieving an Enforcement First solution would mean standing up to the Democrats, who will demand quick legalization, and the bulk of the GOP Congressional caucus, who will be happy to settle for a fig-leaf of enforcement they can try to sell their voters (not unlike the fig leaf added to the Gang of 8 by the for-show-only Corker-Hoeven "double the border patrol" amendment). The current flash mob of GOP representatives streaming into Rubio's camp suggests they recognize him as someone who won't make their lives difficult - when that's exactly what is required.

Rubio's not going to drive Jeff Sessions from the capital. But you can count on the combination of President Rubio and Speaker Ryan to quickly pass an amnesty bill that (like the Gang of 8) contains only the most chimerical guarantees of new enforcement measures. You can also expect them to promote and defend trade, including "trade in services" that involves foreign workers performing those services on American soil. And what about the Sessionsesque suggestion that immigration levels actually be lowered? "We have a better chance of discovering time travel than getting Rubio-Ryan to take up immigration-reduction bill," one Senate immigration advisor told me. Corporate lobbyists will be in the saddle, and the promising Sessions movement will have effectively been defeated - probably permanently, given how mass immigration creates ethnic lobbies for more mass immigration.

Historians will get tenure trying to explain how this happened so suddenly. Was it similar to what happened to the Bimetalists? Maybe Trump can become a columnist for the Washington Examiner. Dave Brat will be a trivia question.

In short, for the Sessions movement-and a particular vision of America, in which even unskilled, non-bright citizens can work a full day and earn a respectable living-Marco Rubio is a state-of-the art K-Street kill shot, a sudden existential threat. We may have only a few days to recognize this.

There was a snowstorm in the forecast yesterday. After some lame joking by Rubio about how he was not responsible for the weather, an audience member suggested it was Trump's fault. "Make America Snow Again," Rubio giggled. If that was pre-planned, then I really am a total patsy in the hands of stage managers.

[conservativejoy]

Marco attended many gay foam parties in college.

[Lagmeister]

If Cruz gets the nomination I would gladly vote for him, 2nd amendment and judicial appointment issues. Other than that, I just can’t support Cruz in the primary. Out of everyone, I think he is the one person who could not win.

[jocon307]

I haven’t finished reading this yet, but had to pause here and quote this “Electing Rubio, after killing the Gang of 8 bill, is like marching against the Vietnam War in the 60s and winding up with Richard Nixon running things.”

I mean, isn’t that exactly what happened? I like Kaus, but he’s so freaked out about Rubio he seems almost incoherent here.

I’ll go back and read the rest and come back.

[jocon307]

“The Trump cult is keeping Cruz back from defeating the Rubio menace.”

I may not see Rubio as a total “menace” but aside from that quibble (and it’s a quibble) I entirely agree with you.

Cruz may yet be able to overcome both the Trump Cult and the Rubio menace, and if he does he will really make a great president.

[jocon307]

Oy, forget Carson already. He’s not going to be the president, he’s not going to be the nominee.

[TBBT]

I just can’t support Cruz in the primary. Out of everyone, I think he is the one person who could not win.

Gorge yourself on media spin much? This is nothing more than a media created myth. This is what they want you to believe. What is the evidence for it though? Head to head polling nationally? At this point that polling is meaningless. But even so, most of the head to head polling shows that the only serious candidate that is havimg trouble beating Hillary is Trump.

If that is not enough, the competition is a highly unliked Nurse Ratched figure that is under FBI investigation for illegally handling and distributing classified information. Nurse Ratched may actually end up being indicted before we get to the general. The other decrepit contender is a 70+ old, hippie, socialist for the 60's. The Democrats are putting forth the weakest field I've ever seen. That's saying something when you consider Al Global Warming Gore and John I Served in Vietnam Kerry. I submit that I could probably shave my dogs butt, tattoo a R on it, make him walk backwards, and he could probably beat these two. The strength of these two is over-hyped.

Lastly, remember how the establishment told us that Reagan couldn't win. The measures they took to stop Reagan reached hysterical levels. Seems history repeats itself.

The establishment and it's media arms (led by Fox News) are going to sell Rubio hard as the "only one". This is pure propaganda.

You should base you choice on the merits of the candidates and not the media created hype. Of any election cycle where this would be true, it is most certainly this one.

[Lagmeister]

I posted that I think he cannot win - not what anybody else thinks. That is my personal opinion. As far as beating Hillary, think logically. How can a person not polling at the top of their own party beat Hillary - say, versus Trump, who is way ahead nationally (and is actually within the margin of error against Hillary). Fact is, Trump is known and Cruz is not known.

My opinion about Cruz is not based on any particular source other than my own gut. Once the democrats unload on Cruz I don't think he would carry 5 states.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Pretty accurate summation of Rubio. Trump needs to be going after him not Cruz. Cruz has already had whatever dead cat bounce out of Iowa he’s going to get. Rubio is a threat that needs to be faced.

[TBBT]

At this point in 1980, Carter was leading Reagan 60% to 31%. CW stated back then that there was no way Reagan could win.

Cruz was down to Trump by as much as 8 points in the final polls before Iowa. Cruz won by 4.

How can a person not polling at the top of their own party beat Hillary - say, versus Trump

Yet Trump - who leads in his party's polls - consistently does the worst in national head to head polls against Hillary. Trump also consistently has the worst favorable's.

Rubio is currently 3rd in national polls. By your logic, since Rubio isn't at the top of his party's polls, he can't possibly win either.

[TexasTransplant]

So Rubio is the “Stealth Conservative” ?

If so it’s working

[conservativejoy]

I don’t think Trump is going after Rubio because he’s going to pick him for VP.

[central_va]

Cruz's true colors:

Ted Cruz, the presidential candidate who wants to increase the H-1B cap by 500%

[Enlightened1]

No it's because Rubio's numbers are so low in the polls. Your boy Rubio is a fraud and Trump knows it.

Microsoft was counting the votes in Iowa. They also happen to be Rubio’s second largest campaign donor. This is because Rubio is in favor of replacing American workers at home from foreigners abroad via the H1 B program.

Anyhow, Rubio did not show up to Iowa until 3 weeks before the election. At the most he had 100 people show up to 1 of his rallies.... On the Caucus day Rubio was less than 2% of all Social Media talk in Iowa vs. Trump, Cruz, Hillary and Sanders. Out of all the polls ran before the Iowa Caucus by various media, etc... The best numbers Rubio could get in Iowa was 12%. That’s his highest numbers. Think about this too. People can barely find even 1 real Rubio supporter.

So how did Rubio get 24% in Iowa when every poll had him at 12% at best??? How did all the media along with other polling places miss all these Rubio supporters? Where are they hiding??? How come they did not show up to his rallies, wearing Rubio for Pres shirts, etc.????

So even though every other candidates final numbers pretty much, more or less, matched what all the polls combined said.... Rubio was the only exception who had DOUBLE his numbers. Some how all these news outlets and polling places missed it. Oh yeah I’m to believe that like Hillary winning 6 coin tosses in a row. If she lost one then Sanders would have won Iowa. Try flipping a coin six times in a row and get it right 6 times in a row. Not even an NFL team can do that.

Oh but you REALLY BELIEVE... Microsoft, who was counting the votes in Iowa and IS Rubio’s second largest financial supporter, was being honest when it came to counting the votes?

For the record, Roger Stone, Trump’s stealth Top Adviser warned Donald Trump not to run in Iowa and to start in New Hampshire 2 years ago. There is an article in Politico about it that’s 2 years old.

This is because in Iowa Independents can’t cross over and vote. Democrats can’t cross over and vote. Roger Stone was advising Trump back then the GOPe would block Trump. Roger Stone told Trump he would be lucky if he came in 5th or 4th place. Plus, Iowa is known as the race where the bottom tier candidates drop out.

Nevertheless, Trump said I still want to do it. It’s Trump’s competitive nature. Trump was originally, 2 years ago, thinking he could get 5th or 4th place. This is also why Trump said in Iowa, the night he lost, I was told not to run in Iowa..... That was Roger Stone who advised him that. Where did Trump end up? Second place and that’s after Cruz cheated.

I bet you did not know too the in end Cruz got 8 delegates, Trump got 7 and Rubio got 3. So it’s only 1 delegate difference.

New Hampshire allows Democrats to vote for Republicans and Independents too. Most States are like that and not snobbish like Iowa.

So you can discount all those polls you want, ignore the thousands at the rallies all you want, oh and Microsoft was only counting the votes in the state of Iowa only. It was an experiment. Anyhow, Trump is dominating in New Hampshire.

Cruz is now considered a cheater to the public. People do not like Cheaters. He’s going to lose in New Hampshire and South Carolina. As far as I see it its over for Cruz.

If Cruz could have kept his mouth shut, then he could have been the VP of Trump. Then work out the birth thing, and most likely easily ascend to POTUS in 8 year. It would be 16 years of conservative rule after Obama. However, he screwed that up when he was advised to attack Trump.

Cruz and Trump have a majority of the vote. It’s a complete rejection of the Establishment. It’s too bad they cannot work things out.

 

[AuntB]

“But you can count on the combination of President Rubio and Speaker Ryan to quickly pass an amnesty bill that (like the Gang of 8) contains only the most chimerical guarantees of new enforcement measures. You can also expect them to promote and defend trade, including “trade in services” that involves foreign workers performing those services on American soil. And what about the Sessionsesque suggestion that immigration levels actually be lowered? “We have a better chance of discovering time travel than getting Rubio-Ryan to take up immigration-reduction bill,” one Senate immigration advisor told me. Corporate lobbyists will be in the saddle, and the promising Sessions movement will have effectively been defeated - probably permanently, given how mass immigration creates ethnic lobbies for more mass immigration.”

This author is correct, but he needs to name names of WHO owns Rubio AND RYAN!

When it comes to Rubio, it is the NORQUIST faction, KSt Lobbyist faction. At the top is Grover Norquist along with his buddy Cesar Conda, Rubio’s chief of staff and mentor to Paul Ryan.

Their cabal includes the worst of the decades long open border hacks like Steven Moore, head economist of Heritage (another sell out), Hugh Hewitt and the politicians like Santorum who have sold out to push Rubio.

These powerful GOP operatives didn’t jump on the Rubio bandwagon...they ARE the bandwagon and recruited him while he was a lowly state rep in Florida to be the face of AMNESTY and bad trade that profits them. He’s broke and easily bought.

MUST READ

Rubio’s deceptions

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3391812/posts

[AuntB]

“The Trump cult is keeping Cruz back from defeating the Rubio menace.

Way to go cultists.

Not too late to wake up and back a real conservative with guts.”
______________

The CRUZ cult is keeping Trump back from defeating the Rubio/Cruz menace.

Way to go Cultists!
Not too late to wake up and back a REAL conservative with GUTS.....and it’s NOT a lawyer from Texas/Canada/Cuba...where???

[AuntB]

Exactly!

Trump did really well in Iowa....he didn’t spend 2 years there like Ted did when he should have been doing his senate job we were paying him for.

Also...the caucus were strictly dems or repubs...no crossovers, no independents....which Trump will get plenty of. Cruz is never going to get them. Cruz is only going to get those who are happy to be fooled by his phony churchiness.

Trump....right on trade, right on immigration, right on the 2nd amendment, right on GOP corruption.....and without those NONE of the rest of it matters. And the best thing..he is NOT a lawyer.

[AuntB]

“

If Cruz gets the nomination I would gladly vote for him, 2nd amendment and judicial appointment issues. “

Cruz has shown us what kind of judicial appointments he would make...he’s the guy who recruited and PRAISED his pal John Roberts who stuck us with Obamacare.

[Lagmeister]

Once again, Trump is known and is right where a Republican needs to be against Hillary. Cruz isn’t known, but when known he is dead.

[Georgia Girl 2]

You know what you could be right. But hes’ going to have to go after Rubio to keep him down. Never underestimate the power of the GOPe to push a candidate.

I know you support Cruz but getting away from the Rhetoric I think we all know its going to come down to Trump v Rubio. If Trump picks him for VP well so be it. When was the last time a VP went on to become Prez? Almost never.

[Lagmeister]

Roberts was a turncoat. There is plenty of stuff to hold Cruz accountable for. This one I don’t.